AboutBrian Skellie Expertise I can answer questions in regards to and not limited to: jewelry safety, specifically material, shape, proportion, and related issues; aseptic technique and sterilization as it applies to piercing safety; ethical issues of technique and bedside manner; the aftercare and recovery process for piercings.
Experience
Past/Present clients
Tens of thousands of one on one client experiences. http://www.piercing.org/ Body jewelry design and safety expert: Member ASTM committee F04(www.astm.org)
Member AAMI (www.aami.org)
Research advisor and educator for the APP for over a decade(www.safepiercing.org) teaching advanced studio setup, sterilization and equipment management, freehand piercing, aseptic/sterile technique and much more.
Distributor for SciCan StatIM sterilization and cleaning products. http://www.piercing.org/statim/
Expert: Brian Skellie Date: 6/7/2008 Subject: Navel piercing had an infection: what to do before traveling
Question I got my navel pierced for the first time about 3 and a half months ago. It bled consistently for over 48 hours and I felt very faint; I went back to see my piercer and he removed it. Two weeks later I had my navel repierced and it was absolutely fine for the first two months with just the normal crustiness. Then two weeks ago it became very sore and red and was oozing yellow pus. I went to the doctor and have been on anti-biotics for the last week.
Today is my last day of anti-biotics. My navel piercing no longer hurts and is no longer red but it is still oozing a little pus (although not so much and now it is white rather than yellow / green). Do I need to go back to the doctor?
I am going travelling in Asia in 2 weeks time and I don't want the piercing to be causing me trouble then. How can I get it to heal as fast as possible? I have been taking lots of vit C tablets and soaking it in salt water once every third day or so. But when I am travelling I doubt I will b able to soak it in salt water - what can I buy to take with me that I can use to clean it that is simple and easy?
Answer I hope that you are well now, with only normal healing ahead of you. You should see your doctor for a follow up visit.
http://piercing.org/faq/aftercare.html and the linked http://piercing.org/care.pdf can help you. Basic soap and distilled water, along with sterile gauze might be all that you need from this point forward if the infection is gone. You should consider keeping it covered when you bathe, and make sure to keep your hands off it.
I don't endorse any specific piercing care products, as none have proven to make your healing easier than the above-linked care.
