Bleeding from a navel piercing two months after the initial procedure is a concerning experience. While mild discharge and crusting are normal during the initial healing process, active bleeding at this stage suggests a setback or ongoing irritation. This bleeding indicates that the delicate tissue within the piercing channel, known as the fistula, has been disrupted. Addressing this issue promptly is necessary to prevent further complications and ensure the piercing heals correctly.
Understanding the Navel Piercing Healing Period
A navel piercing requires a long period to fully heal, typically ranging from six months to a full year. At the two-month mark, the piercing is still new and highly vulnerable to disturbance. The surface skin around the jewelry may close quickly, which can give a false appearance of being healed.
The true healing process involves the formation of the fistula, a strong tunnel of scar tissue lining the inside of the piercing. This internal healing is much slower than the surface repair. Any trauma or irritation at this mid-healing stage can easily disrupt the forming tissue, leading to renewed bleeding and restarting the healing clock.
Specific Reasons for Bleeding After 2 Months
The most frequent cause of bleeding in a two-month-old navel piercing is mechanical trauma, which involves any physical force applied to the jewelry. Simple actions like snagging the piercing on clothing, a towel, or bedding can cause a micro-tear in the fragile internal tissue. Even frequent bending, twisting, or sleeping directly on the stomach can create enough pressure and movement to irritate the wound channel and cause it to bleed.
Jewelry issues are another factor, often related to the material or the fit of the barbell. Using jewelry made from poor-quality metals, such as those containing nickel, can trigger a localized allergic reaction that causes persistent irritation and bleeding. A barbell that is too short can pinch the healing tissue, while one that is too long can move excessively and saw at the fistula. Both improper fits lead to chronic irritation and bleeding.
Improper aftercare can damage the healing tissue, delaying the process and causing bleeding. Over-cleaning the piercing, or using harsh substances like alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or strong antibacterial soaps, strips the area of beneficial cells and causes chemical irritation. This excessive cleaning can dry out the tissue, making it brittle and prone to cracking or tearing, which results in bleeding.
Bleeding can also be an early sign of the body beginning to reject the jewelry, a process where the body slowly pushes the foreign object out. The constant irritation and migration of the jewelry causes the channel to become shallower and the tissue to remain inflamed. This rejection typically presents as an increase in the visible length of the barbell shaft, accompanied by persistent redness and sporadic bleeding.
Managing Irritation and Knowing When to Seek Medical Attention
If the piercing begins to bleed, gently apply clean, sterile gauze with light pressure to the area to stop the flow. The immediate focus should be on gentle, consistent aftercare, cleaning the piercing no more than twice a day with a sterile saline wound wash. Avoid touching or rotating the jewelry unnecessarily, as this introduces bacteria and further irritates the wound.
If the issue is isolated bleeding and irritation, consulting a professional piercer is the appropriate first step to assess the jewelry fit and material. However, if the bleeding is accompanied by signs of infection, seek medical attention from a doctor. These signs include intense, spreading redness and warmth, severe pain, or a thick, discolored discharge that is yellow, green, or gray and has a foul odor.
A fever, chills, or red streaks extending from the piercing site are serious indicators that the infection may be spreading and require immediate medical intervention. If an infection is suspected, do not remove the jewelry. Removing the jewelry can cause the surface holes to close and trap the bacteria inside the tissue, potentially leading to an abscess. Leaving the jewelry in allows for drainage while the infection is medically treated.