Health Forums

Posted: 29 April 2007 at 6:02pm | IP Logged

Ok this might seem like a weird question, but Im reaching out to anyone who has had naval piercings, especially those that have had one, healed and then later in life had it re-pierced.

Ive had my naval done for about 5 months now, and never really had a problem with it. That was until I bought a fashion bar and wore it. I properly sterilised it but I didnt realise how allergic I was to them (I knew I was sensative but thought I'd get away with a couple of hours lol) My body tried to absorb the bar, and it resulted in the hole expanding and the bar being dragged inside the hole. Torn between ringing the doctor and tattoist, I rang the tattoist who after lots of liquid ice got it out. I then put another of his bars in (a larger one as I was swollen a little).

I carried out without problems, clean it regular with warm salt water and have no troubles. Ive kept the longer bar in for comfort, it doesnt catch my clothes like the 10mm bars do. However over Easter I developed a huge lump at the side of the bar. I went to my mums doctor (I was at home at the time) and he sent some tests off and gave me anti biotic cream just incase. He suggested it could have just been the old scar tissue getting a bit swollen as I had had a previous piercing. The test results showed no abnormalities, and no sign of infection so he said I could stop the cream, and the lump had gone anyway.

Now this lump is back, its a month since the last one. This one is not as big, nor is it weeping like the last one did, but it may not have finished growing.

Has anyone else had this? I dont want it happening every month or so, especially as I loose weight and the summer approaches. My mum's doctor suggested having the old scar tissue removed like a mole but it will leave a scar right next to the bar lol.. the bar is meant to be the focal point not a scar lol Any tips to get rid, and prevent these lumps would be greatly appreciated!

Posted: 29 April 2007 at 8:53pm | IP Logged

I had one of these keloid lumps with my belly button piercing and the only way to get rid of it was to take the bar out completely..

I must be prone to keloid as my last c-section scar came up in it too - not sure if it will happen this time as I only had my c-sec one month ago..

I hope you manage to get rid of it!

Posted: 02 May 2007 at 4:28pm | IP Logged

Don't know mate, never had any probs with mine.  The guy who 'did' me, said not to change it for at least 6 months and that it can take up to 12 months for the piercing scarring on the inside to be all healed.  Ive only ever used the titinium and the surgical steel bars for mine, purely cos i know i get a minky reaction if I use any other metals.  Ive had mine now for over 6 years and not had any probs, kept it in while being pg, just used one of those expander thingys.  I used to catch it all the time when I was working...RAF uniform trouser buttons were bang on the piercing...but as you were not allowed piercings had to keep a plaster over it so I didnt get busted with a 'self-inflicted wound' lol.

Posted: 15 May 2007 at 4:18am | IP Logged

For me I had a keloid in my left arm and it is quite big, actually I can't manage to wear sleeveless or something.... my sis is also prone to keliod everytime she has wound then it become keloid.. how can we prevent this?