What can be the reason if the pain does not go away after the sting?
Normally the pain slowly goes away within a few days after piercing a navel piercing. However, if these should remain, increase again or there should be additional redness and swelling in the area of the piercing, an inflammation due to a bacterial infection is the most probable cause. It is a complication, the risk of which is significantly reduced by adherence to hygienic measures, but which nevertheless occurs in some cases.
In such a case the piercing must be removed again. In case of strong pain and a visible inflammatory reaction at the navel a doctor should be consulted. He will clean the wound and if necessary cover it with a bandage.
In some cases even the prescription of an antibiotic becomes necessary. An abscess is an encapsulated, purulent focus of inflammation that can be caused by an infection with bacteria anywhere on the body. By piercing a navel piercing there is always the danger that bacteria, which are naturally on the skin surface, are introduced into deeper tissue layers.
There they can multiply and cause an inflammatory reaction. The body sends defence cells to the focal point where they kill the bacteria, causing pus to form. A capsule is also formed around the inflammation.
Such an abscess is then manifested by a painful bump on the navel, through which often yellowish-white pus shimmers. If an abscess forms after piercing a navel piercing, a doctor should be consulted. Beside the removal of the piercing usually an opening of the abscess by the doctor is an important therapeutic measure.
A fistula is a connecting passage in the body, which does not exist naturally and can occur for example due to an inflammation. Even after piercing of a navel piercing, an unfavorable course can lead to the development of a fistula as a complication, which then usually has to be removed by a surgical intervention. Usually an inflammation develops first, from which an abscess develops, which can lead to the development of a fistula if left untreated.
The risk for such a course is highest, if one does not take signs of inflammation seriously after piercing a navel piercing or if one does not want to remove the piercing then. However, if one goes to the doctor in time and gets treated, such a course can usually be averted.
