In doing a belly button piercing, there is always a chance that the piercing will migrate or will be rejected. This can be very frustrating, not to mention unsightly. Rejection happens when the body doesn't accept the metal from the ring. The immune system will push out the body piercing and will heal the skin until the piercing no longer sticks. The piercing can migrate to another part of the abdomen. What increases the risk of piercing rejection and what can be done about it?

What Are the Symptoms of Belly Button Piercing Rejection?

There are some signs you can look out for that can help you know if you are suffering from piercing rejection of belly button. Here are the signs:

• The skin is getting so thin that you can see the ring just beneath the skin.
• You have a great deal of skin sensitivity and a continual soreness in the area of the belly button.
• The pierced holes become bigger in preparation for navel piercing rejection.
• The ring or bar around your belly button hangs looser than it was when you first had it pierce.
• There is drainage coming from the belly button holes.
• You are developing a keloid scar in the area of the piercing.

Belly button piercing rejection can lead to a scar, which is the most worrisome sign. This is the last stage of a migration of the pierced ring out of the body. Because of the chance of scarring, you should take the ring out as soon as you realize your body is rejecting it. It doesn't always happen as soon as you get the piercing and can take up to three years to reject the ring. If you develop a very big scar, it can be difficult to get rid of and they fade very slowly. If the scar bothers you, you can seek the advice of a plastic surgeon or dermatologist who can help resolve the scar or lessen its appearance.

What May Lead to Belly Button Piercing Rejection?

Not everyone gets a rejection after belly button piercing. People are variably susceptible and it is based on their immune system's reaction to foreign objects within the body. If the piercing is done too near to the surface of the skin, there is a higher risk of rejection. If the piercing is done using a naval punching device, during which only the skin is involved, it becomes much simpler for the immune system to reject and push out the ring. There are some other causes as well:

• It can vary according to the type of piercing done. If it is done too close to the skin's surface, you can have rejection. Choose a qualified belly button piercer who can put the ring at the right depth so that there is plenty of skin incorporated within the piercing and the ring is less likely to be rejected. If more than a 16 gauge piercing is used, the chances of rejection are higher because the hole will be too narrow.
• The jewelry can cause belly button piercing rejection. If the jewelry is too cheap or made from a highly allergenic material, there is a greater chance of rejection. Certain metals, such as nickel, are very allergenic and will usually result in piercing rejection. Before getting your piercing, you should have an allergy test done to see what metals you are allergic to. What's more, if the jewelry is very heavy, the gravity will force the piercing downward. This can lead to the piercing rejection.

Can You Avoid Belly Button Piercing Rejection?

After the ring has already begun to reject itself, there isn't anything you can do to stop it. The best way to avoid rejection is to try and keep it from happening in the first place. The rejection can happen because you have neglected the piercing or because you didn't choose a reputable piercer. Here are some things you can do in order to prevent getting a navel piercing rejection:

• Make sure your piercer is skilled and very professional. Choose a piercer who is registered in piercing. This can guarantee that the piercing will be done in the right way and using the correct tools for piercing.
• Use an appropriate gauge for your piercing. If you see a profession, he or she will be able to tell you what size hole you should use. Smaller gauge sizes are linked to higher chances of belly button piercing rejection.
• Select the proper jewelry. Jewelry made of titanium, sterling silver, gold, or glass, are less likely to become involved in a rejection.
• Follow the instructions the piercer gives you after you get your piercing. Make sure you already have the items you need to care for the pierced ring before you actually get pierced. Your piercer can help you with this.

Can You Re-Pierce?

If you have suffered from a belly button piercing rejection at some point in the past, you may be worried about trying it again. Your chances of having a repeated experience are higher than the average person, but this doesn't mean you cannot attempt a re-piercing of the belly button. Make sure you only choose a registered and qualified piercer to do this piercing, so you have the best chance of success. An experienced piercer can often help you make the decision as to whether or not you will suffer another belly button piercing ejection. If you decide to go ahead with the piercing, follow the tips noted above about prevention for the best chance of having a good piercing the next time.