Should You Have Your Belly Pierced?

Have you been considering getting your belly button pierced, but aren’t sure if it would be safe? Like most other things, there are some cautions that go with navel piercing, and some people who simply shouldn’t do it. Overall, navel piercing is safe for almost everyone who wants it, but there are a few exceptions. If you belong in one of the following groups, you should consult a doctor before you decide to get your navel – or most other parts of your body pierced.

• If you’re pregnant

  While many women have no problems with their navel piercings during pregnancy, it’s not recommended to have your navel pierced while you are pregnant. In addition to the risk of infection, your skin just isn’t quite the same when it’s being stretched out to accommodate the little bundle growing inside. Wait till after the baby and get your navel pierced to celebrate.

• If you have a heart condition

  While it’s very rare, people with heart conditions run a heightened risk of developing infective endocarditis – a bacterial infection of the heart muscle – when they get a body piercing. Most professional piercers suggest that you speak to your doctor before you make a decision to get a navel piercing if you have a heart condition. Some doctors will give you a course of pre-emptive antibiotics to help prevent an infection from developing. This is recommended especially if you’ve ever had corrective surgery for a heart condition, or if you have a moderate to severe heart condition.

• If you have diabetes, allergies, asthma, hemophilia or immune irregularities

  Any of the above conditions can predispose you to infection when you get a body piercing, and most impede healing. Again, talk to your doctor first about the possible risks and any precautions that you should take. Prophylactic antibiotics may be prescribed so that infection doesn’t develop, or you may be advised against getting the piercing.

• If you take anticoagulant medications

  Anticoagulant medications thin your blood and prevent it from clotting. If you are taking anticoagulant medications for a heart condition, high blood pressure or any other reason, be sure to inform the person who is doing your piercing of the fact. You should also speak with your doctor before making a decision to find out if there are any precautions you should take to make it safer.

• If you have a skin infection, scarring or other skin condition at the site you want pierced

  The Association of Professional Piercers suggests that its members may refuse to do a piercing without a second consultation from a medical professional if there is a skin rash or abnormality, including bumps, moles, freckles or warts.

• If you are obese

  There’s a higher risk of navel piercing complications in people who are overweight. This is due in part to skin-on-skin contact.

• If you have an outie belly button

  Many piercers suggest that people with outie belly buttons not have them pierced. Because the internal organs are actually closer to the surface, there’s a higher risk of infection or damage.

• If you have an umbilical hernia

  See the caution for people with outie belly buttons. In a hernia, the muscle wall is torn allowing your inner organs to press against the skin from the inside. The risk of complications from a piercing that close is unacceptably high.

• If you are under 18

  Most reputable piercers will refuse to do a navel piercing without parental permission before age 16, and many won’t do them at all if you are under 18. Part of the reason for this is that your body is still developing and growing, and damaging the tissue is not healthy for a growing body.