Belly Button Keloid, Keloid are overgrowths of scar tissue at the site of skin injury. Keloids are a typical side effect of piercings, though some people are more sensitive to them than others. Although keloids are not harmful, they can occasionally be uncomfortable. Although piercings are where keloids are found, they can also form in the belly button and other piercings.
What Is A Keloid?
Keloid scars are thick, prominent scars that are raised. Although it can appear everywhere that there is skin injury, its users come on the chest, shoulders, cheeks, or earlobes. If you are sensitive to keloids, they could develop in several places. The keloid may get larger over time, and common symptoms include soreness and irritation. A keloid may reduce in size and color with various treatments, but the scar is frequently left behind.
What Do Keloids Look Like?
Keloids are raised scars that feel rough and spongy due to a piercing. Keloids frequently form at the site of the injury but might go further.
As they grow, they advance gradually. The first keloid symptoms may not appear for three months to a year. The following several weeks or months are needed for the growth phase. Sometimes they keep growing slowly for years.
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Begin as a pink, red, or purple raised scar. A raised scar is typical of a keloid. The color typically gets darker over time. Usually, the border is darker than the center, and finally, it reaches the skin, which is darker.
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Feel different from the surrounding skin. Some keloids are soft and doughy in feel. Others are hard and rubbery.
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When keloids are growing, they may be itchy, uncomfortable, or unpleasant to the touch.
According to board-certified dermatologist Jessie Cheung, MD, keloids are different from other raised scars and bumps that could appear following piercings, such as a hyperactive scar or an infection.
What Leads to Keloid?
There is often too much collagen present, even if the exact cause of some skin disorders that generate extra fibrous tissue in this way is unknown. If you can relate to any of the following:
- You are between the ages of 10 and 30.
- You have dark skin.
- You have a first-degree family with keloids (a parent, sibling, or kid).
According to Cheung, the position of a belly button piercing may raise your risk of developing a keloid even in the absence of any of these risk factors.
While the area heals, which could take up to a year, dumbbell navel jewelry may reduce the risk of keloid formation. These scars could also develop on the face, earlobes, or any other pierced part of the body. Severe burns, acne, or other surface skin injuries can also result in keloid formation.
How To Avoid Keloid
The only sure approach to prevent keloid scarring for someone who has been exposed to it is to avoid operations that injure your skin, such as tattoos and piercings.
Indeed, the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) advises against getting pierced for those who have a history of scarring or keloids.
You may be able to reduce your risk of getting a keloid from a belly button piercing by following the aftercare instructions provided by your piercer. Cheung suggests avoiding too much friction on the piercing.
Belly buttons currently serve as small lint and bacteria traps. Throughout the healing period, which can continue for up to a year, keep the area dry and clean. Avoid wearing tight clothing because it might irritate your skin and trap microorganisms.
Keloid Treatments
Keloids can be treated in several ways. The type and size of the keloid, among other things, can affect the best course of treatment. There are several different types of treatment:
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Corticosteroids: This kind of medication can help in keloid reduction. According to the AAD, people typically need four injections, one every three to four weeks. In addition, they claim that 50 to 80 percent of keloids decrease after corticosteroid injection.
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Silicone gel or dressings: A keloid may be flattened by applying a silicone sheet or gel on it. Compression is typically used in conjunction with silicone.
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Compression: A dermatologist-recommended compression garment can stop a belly button keloid from spreading.
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cryotherapy: With no harm to the skin below, this freezes the keloid from the inside out. For improved outcomes, cryotherapy is frequently used with steroid injections to shrink and soften keloid growths.
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Surgery: A keloid can only be removed surgically, but it’s important to know that it will probably return at some point. Your dermatologist could advise using a different procedure following surgery, such as compression, radiation therapy, or injections, to lessen the likelihood that it will return.
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Laser therapy: The keloid scar can be flattened and made to disappear with laser treatment.
What Are Piercing Bumps?
After getting a piercing, it’s possible for little lumps known as “piercing bumps” to appear. They frequently happen following piercings of the nose or upper ears that involve cartilage.
Piercing bumps appear as the body’s immune system responds to the wound and begins the healing process. The irritation that follows from this response is what causes the bump.
Piercing Bumps Treatment
In most cases, piercing bumps are caused by the body’s normal healing process after an injury. But, people can take precautions to keep the region clean, ward off infection, and let the piercing heal.
Following the advice of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):
- keeping piercing jewelry in, without changing or removing it, for at least 6 weeks
- washing the hands before touching the piercing
- washing the piercing with gentle soap and water once a day
- twisting the jewelry inside the piercing a few times a day to keep the hole open
- patting the area dry with a clean cotton pad after bathing or showering and avoiding using a towel, which can introduce bacteria.
How To Differentiate Between A Piercing Bump And A Keloid
The following table shows some of the key differences between these skin changes:
| Piercing bump | Keloid | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Around the piercing site | Around the piercing site but can extend beyond it |
| Formation | Soon after a piercing | 3–12 months after piercing |
| Size | Varies, but after forming, it does not grow bigger | May start small and grow bigger over weeks, months, or years |
| Color | Pink or flesh-colored | Varies, but it can become darker over time |
| Fluid | Common | Uncommon |
What Are The Signs Of An Infected Belly Button Piercing?
These are some symptoms of an infected belly button piercing:
- A burning or painful sensation at the spot.
- Red streak coming from the piercing or bright red skin surrounding it.
- Fever.
• A swelled bump next to the piercing
• Discharge, which may smell unpleasant.
Complications
Blood-borne diseases like hepatitis B and C can spread during the piercing process. When jewelry and piercing tools are not sterile, especially when the piercing needles have been shared, the danger increases.
Choose a secure piercer at all times. Consider getting tested for these illnesses if you are unsure whether the piercings you had were sterile. A piercing can cause an infection to spread throughout the body. The infection may occasionally result in fatal complications.
Before receiving a piercing, anyone with a compromised immune system should consult a physician. They should also seek medical attention right away if any infection symptoms appear. A person’s immune system may be weak if they have chemotherapy, diabetes, AIDS, or another chronic condition.
Summary:
Piercing bumps are tiny lumps that can appear after a piercing. They usually occur following cartilage piercings, such as nose or upper ear piercings. Piercing bumps appear when the body’s immune system responds to the wound and starts the healing response.
Causes Of Belly Button Piercing Irritation
Issues other than infection can cause pain or discomfort around a belly button piercing. See a doctor about new or unusual symptoms, as the cause can be hard to identify.
Allergic reactions
Allergies to the metal in body jewelry are common. Jewelry containing nickel is especially likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
The Association of Professional Piercers recommends using metals, such as surgical steel, titanium, or nickel-free gold, that are less likely to cause reactions. They also suggest using smooth jewelry, free from bumps or nicks that might irritate the skin.
Allergic reactions usually begin as the person inserts the jewelry into the piercing. The reaction may be intense, involving a painful rash or swelling, or it may be minor but grow steadily worse.
Injuries
When clothing or other objects catch on navel jewelry, it can injure and tear the skin.
If the jewelry has caught on something, and the new piercing looks larger or feels painful, a person may have an injury. These injuries increase the chance of infection. They can also change the shape of the piercing or cause it to heal incorrectly.
See a doctor about the injury and consult a professional piercer to see if the piercing requires redoing.
Skin disorders
Sometimes, pain and irritation close to a piercing result from a skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis.
A rash, redness, peeling, or irritation could stem from a preexisting skin disorder. Injuries to the skin can trigger some disorders, such as psoriasis, and a piercing is one such form of injury.
Diagnosing an infection
A doctor can usually diagnose an infection by looking at the piercing.
When there is no infection, but the skin shows signs of irritation, a doctor will ask about recent changes involving the piercing, such as using a new cleaning solution or jewelry made from a different metal.
The doctor can usually diagnose the cause of irritation after performing an examination and taking a complete medical history. However, the doctor may also need to take blood tests or a sample of the skin.
A serious infection can spread to other areas of the body.
When To See A Doctor?
An article from 2011 in BMJ Case Reports describes how a belly button piercing caused tissue damage that eventually resulted in death. The authors discovered the piercing to be highly uncommon because the person had done it themselves.
Use caution and seek medical attention if disease symptoms do not go away right away.
Within 24 hours, a person needs to visit a doctor if;
- The pain is severe
- The pain is severe
- There is an injury at the piercing site.
- There is a foul smell coming from the piercing.
- There may be red streaks on the skin or symptoms of warmth and redness at the site.
Cleaning Tips
Good aftercare might probably protect against illness.
To reduce the possibility of infection:
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Choose a certified piercer who sterilizes their tools and never uses the same needles twice. Before inserting the piercing, the piercer should take their time and wear gloves.
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Think about requesting a doctor’s recommendation for a trustworthy piercer.
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Only wear piercing-grade jewelry of the finest quality.
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Comply with the piercer’s cleaning recommendations for the piercing. Care often entails regularly washing the piercing and only touching it with clean hands.
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No one should touch the piercing until it has recovered completely.
It might not be a good idea to get pierced:
If a person has a condition that impairs their immune system. If they have a history of infected piercings. In a region where they have a skin infection.
It may be a good idea to go to a member of the Association of Professional Piercers, an organization that requires members to practice safe piercing and provides related education.
Summary:
Fibrous scar tissue begins to replace damaged skin when wounds recover. Keloids can develop when your body produces too much scar tissue. A ■■■■ or tiny lump that is larger than the initial piercing results from the additional tissue beginning to protrude from the original wound.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1- How do you get rid of a keloid on your belly button?
Surgery removal is the only way to get rid of a keloid completely, but it’s important to know that it will probably grow back at some point. To lower the chances of it coming back, your dermatologist may recommend using another treatment after surgery, like compression, radiation therapy, or injections.
2- How do you get rid of a keloid on your belly button at home?
Home remedies
- Crush three to four aspirin tablets.
- Mix them with enough water to form a paste.
- Apply them to the keloid or wound site. Let it sit for an hour or two, then rinse.
- Repeat once every day until desired results are achieved.
3- Should I remove my piercing if I have a keloid?
These can further irritate the skin and slow the healing process. Don’t remove the piercing. This can cause the hole to close up and trap the infection.
4- Will a keloid go away on its own?
Keloids rarely go on their own, but unless they are uncomfortable or are affecting how you feel about your look, they usually don’t require treatment. Even after surgical removal, they frequently grow back.
5- Does apple cider vinegar get rid of keloids?
Being a natural astringent and an exfoliant, ACV is blessed with innumerable benefits. It prevents scar-promoting cells from entering the keloid site and reduces pigmentation and the size of the keloids. It also soothes irritated skin and reduces any swelling.
6- What is inside a keloid?
Keloid growth occurs in damaged tissue. In this region, collagen, which is used to heal wounds, tends to overgrow, occasionally resulting in a lump that is several times bigger than the initial scar. In terms of hue, they might be anything from pink to crimson. Keloids can develop on their own, even though they typically appear at the site of an injury.
7- What cream is best for keloids?
Imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara), an immune response modifier that enhances healing, has also been used to help prevent keloid recurrence after surgical excision. The cream is applied on alternate nights for eight weeks after surgery.
8- Does tea tree oil help keloids?
Tea tree oil may also help to ease redness and irritation around the piercing. Shrink papules, pustules, and other bumps. Prevent keloids and other scar tissue from forming.
9- How long does a keloid last?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 50 to 80 percent of keloids shrink after treatment with injections. However, they also note many people experience a reoccurrence within five years.
10- Can I pop the lump on my nose piercing?
NO. When you have keloids or thrombi, nothing will erupt from your bump. Secondly, you should not pop pustules on your piercings just because you think you’re good at popping pimples on your face.
Conclusion:
Taking good care of your piercing and protecting it from irritation is the best you can do to lower your chances of getting a keloid on your belly button piercing, not to mention other complications like infection.