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Navel is having an issue - odd swelling.

paradine
Joined: 22 Sep 2008
Member #: 13963
Status: Offline

Posted on September 22, 2008, 2:05 pm

I'm losing sleep over this.

My navel piercing is being a brat. After several months of no infections or problems, a weird swelling has started to occur. It isn't quite on either hole; rather, my belly button is puffing out from the inside!

Symptoms? It's ugly. It feels like a firm mass (not too hard). It's only moderately painful, isn't excreting anything - actually, my piercing has stopped leaking almost altogether since this thing has shown up! No blood, no puss, no green goo.

I'm skeptical of the "keloid" diagnosis, simply because I am not prone to them at all.

It may have developed as a result of abdominal exercise - I was in the habit of working out my abs almost daily until this appeared. I wash my piercing often, oil it lightly on occasion, do about 3 sea salt soaks a day and 2 chamomile compresses.

My question is - has anyone ever experienced anything like it? What remedies did you battle it with, and about how long did it take for it go the hell away?

Pics :

I took them at slightly differing angles, thus the illusion of a massively tilted bar - the point is for you to see the swelling. Although, my piercing is a bit slanted toward the left now as a result of this thing pushing up against it.

Any insights will be very gratefully accepted! Thanks!

Cloud
Joined: 19 Feb 2008
Member #: 513
Status: Online

Posted on September 24, 2008, 6:55 am

It looks to me like you have a classic "bump"; i.e., it's a mechanical stress reaction, but not totally positive. It sounds like you are giving good aftercare; try massaging with oil (with clean hands) after soaking; heat and massage may help the bump.

Anyone else have any ideas?

im in ur forumz . . . harshin ur noobz

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gemstar
Joined: 28 May 2008
Member #: 5385
Status: Offline

Posted on September 24, 2008, 12:41 pm

That does not look good at all!! Have you tried putting in a longer barbell, it might give the piercing some room to breathe.

paradine
Joined: 22 Sep 2008
Member #: 13963
Status: Offline

Posted on September 24, 2008, 9:56 pm

Thanks for your replies!

You know, the barbell I have in is actually a bit long already. When my piercing was doing well it was actually sticking up too far, I'd say by half a centimeter or so - I was about to go get it shortened before this happened! It's actually that swollen.

After washing, I'll usually apply a bit of jojoba/lavender oil just to keep it moist and happy - but I haven't tried gently massaging the bump yet. A very good idea, I'm going to add it to my regimen. Thanks for the advice!

A bit of an update - now it's excreting green goo! This makes me happy because at least now it's draining something. Also, doctor's appointment on Friday.

Cloud
Joined: 19 Feb 2008
Member #: 513
Status: Online

Posted on September 25, 2008, 6:54 am

don't let the doctor to convince you to take it out. If it's infected, it will have no place to drain and may cause an abscess--definately Bad.

Doctor may also say that the bump is a reaction to the jewelry, which is true, and therefore to take it out. Don't take it out unless you're convinced there's no infection and you're willing to give up your piercing.

im in ur forumz . . . harshin ur noobz

http://piercedconsumer.com