Yet another question from an inexperienced navel pierced newbie...

[l_woo]

I have read a lot of these posts in search for the answer to my question. I have read plenty about the healing time and how it's normal for the piercing to have some scabs and not heal completly for up to 1 year; but my question is: After 5 months, is it still supposed to be oozing, scabbing, and sore? I clean it every day with saline solution and shower. After I clean it it looks just fine, but then every morning it is all a mess again. It oozes and the ball gets stuck, it makes it painful, other than being pretty disgusting. Bothe holes are red and when it scabs it seems like there's exess tissue hanging out of the hole. Am I making any sense?
Just want to know if these is what to expect and for how long.

Thank you all...

[lexiarein]

After 5 months, no it shouldn't be doing it to that extent. Do you by chance have a cbr in there? Cause that definately has something to do with it. Those are bad for healing a belly hole. If you do have a cbr, try switching to a curved barbell. (Make sure it's the right gauge, materal, and legnth)

[l_woo]

I don't know what a CBR is, but I have a curved barbell, it was done by a professional at a tattoo/piercing shop and that's the only kind they would start you with; you know, made with the right material and everything...
Are you saying it is infected? What should I do about that?

[lexiarein]

CBR is a captive bead ring, the rings that are kept in your body by being closed by a lil ball. A lot of people get their bellybuttons pierced with those and they don't heal right.

I can't say if your belly is infected, because I can't see it. But it's very possible.

[imthecoolkid_mod]

let's see. mine is...three months old. it still oozes lymph and is red around the upper hole, but not sore. navel's are little peskies, so i wouldn't get TOO worried, just up your aftercare. do some hot compresses, emu oil or tea tree oil, and an actual sea salt soak every once in a while. don't forget to rinse!

[l_woo]

can I put a picture of it here?
I was always told not to put any oils or anything weird on it. I tried H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide) for a while but then a nurse told me that it kills the good bacteria that helps it heal, so I went back to the saline solution.

Ok I figured out to put the picture in the gallery:
http://bodypiercingpictures.painfulpleasures.com/showphoto.php/photo/3416/sort/1/cat/501/page/1
it if blury, but it's the best I could do with the camera I have here.[/url]

[iamblackbird]

Keep up with the saline. Do NOT try rotating the piercing, and don't be moving the bar at ALL until you have already soaked off ALL the crusties. if there is any pulling, then keep soaking it until the bar moves freely on its own with little or no provocation.

Also, is there any sign of migration/rejection? If you are really worried, get it check out by a piercer. I had three navel piercings, and they all rejected.

[l_woo]

Thank you... There's no sign of it migrating or rejecting (I don't think...) It just simply doesn't seem to be healing, I got this done in March with hopes of being able to wear my nice ring during the summer, and I just don't see it happening this year... *:neutral: