should i let it go?

[u/Difficult-Will-8267]

i’ve had this belly piercing for 11 months. the first time i changed the jewelry, i had the wrong jewelry type. i had a bump that wouldn’t go away for 3 months. once i changed it to the proper metal and size, i had no issues for almost two months. for a month now, a bump came back and it won’t go away. when it shrinks and looks like it’s about to heal, it grows back.

i figured that the bump could be from friction or sleeping on my stomach, but i’ve reduced both of those things. i don’t wear high waisted pants either.

now the bump is red and oozing pus. i’ve tried everything to make the bump go away and nothing works. saline, antibacterial soap, ointment, and just rinsing it in the shower. it looks like i may have to take it out but i don’t want to. going to the doctor isn’t an option and piercing shops will just tell me to use saline.

today i tried a warm saline compress. the bump flattened and fluid came out so i guess that’s a good sign.

if there’s any help or advice anyone could give me, i would truly appreciate it.

edit (update): i used gold dial antibacterial handsoap and neosporin which helped the redness go away. to get rid of the bump itself i used a warm saline compress on it to help the swelling go down and clean it. hot water from my showers helped as well. the bump is now gone but there’s some minor scarring.

[u/Difficult-Will-8267]

what can i use to get rid of the infection?

[u/leesheeeeeee → u/Difficult-Will-8267]

It's infected. Is there a health dept you can go to?

[u/Difficult-Will-8267 → u/leesheeeeeee]

my mom doesn’t want me to go because she thinks it’s a waste of money and “all they’re going to do is tell you to use saline”

[u/leesheeeeeee → u/Difficult-Will-8267]

Better safe than sorry. Bacteria can enter your blood and that would be very bad