Belly button piercing keloid are keloids that appear after a skin piercing on the belly. There are so many practices and ways people adorn themselves today. Many wear jewelries or ornaments on their wrist, around their neck and on their head. Others draw tattoo on their body and many too pierce their body parts with jewelries attached to the pierced part. People pierce for many reasons. It can be religious or spiritual reasons, for beauty, sexual pleasures or as part of their culture and a symbol of rebellion.
Ever wondered why most people especially girls in some countries pierce their nose? Aside the beauty of it, they do it as a symbol of boldness, rebellion and freedom of choice. Whatever the reasons for piercing or the beauty of it, the risk involved should be considered. One of such is the pains.
Though some body parts heal quickly after piercing and little pain is felt, for other parts the pain is severe and might result to the outgrowth of a scar. In this article, we will discuss the scar that results from piercing a delicate part of the body, the belly button (navel). We will see factors that contribute to such scars, how it can be prevented, and if it is beyond prevention, how it can be treated or removed.
Belly Button Piercing Keloid
Belly button piercing is a type of piercing that is located through, in or around the belly button (navel), with a piece of jewelry inserted through the piercing. It is done for the purpose of beautification. This piercing is usually painful and can lead to keloid.
What is keloid?
Keloid is a raised scar that occurs as a result of injury to the skin. This scar may appear after piercing. Keloid forms due to the over production of a protein known as collagen, in the skin in the process of healing. Belly button piercing keloids are side effects of piercing. It appears or starts to form after the original injury must have healed.
It takes within the range of 3-12 months to form. These scars are thick and rounded and they appear in sizes ranging from smaller than an inch to 12 inches or more. Depending on a person’s complexion, keloids can be pink, red, brown or purple in colour and can become darker with time.
They continue to grow after formation slowly or quickly, and can grow to become very large in size. They do not easily go on their own and can continue to grow for months or years. They are not cancerous growth, but are difficult to treat. Keloids do not pose a threat to health but can be painful.
Belly button piercing tend to take a longer time to heal and are prone to infection or injury because the area comes in contact with clothes.
Factors That Contribute To The Growth of Keloid
1. Having a family history of keloids. If a person’s close relative has had keloid in the past, then he or she is prone to the growth of keloid after an injury.
2. Injuries that result from piercings.
Symptoms oF Belly Button Piercing Keloid
1. Itching and pain around the belly button.
2. Minor swelling and redness of the affected area.
3. Thick and smelly discharge
4. Growth of a scar
5. The scar gradually becoming darker.
Prevention Of Belly Button Piercing Keloid
1. Avoid piercing of the belly button.
2. Treat piercing injury immediately.
3. Talk to a dermatologist about the injury at the early stage.
4. Protect the pierced area with a bandage during contact activities like sport or sex.
How To Get rid Of Belly Button Piercing Keloid
1. It can be removed surgically, but may grow back after being removed. So this means, is not considered the most effective way of getting rid of it.
2. The use of corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are medicine that can help shrink the keloid.
3. Cryotherapy : This therapy is also known as cold therapy. It is generally the use of low temperature in medical therapy. It is carried out when a doctor freezes the keloid to soften it and reduces its size. This therapy is not suitable for people with darker skin as it can change the pigmentation of their skin.
4. Silicone gel can be applied to the keloid to flatten it.
5. Wearing a compression garment recommended by a dermatologist, can help prevent the keloid from growing.
6. Interferon injection can reduce the size of the keloid
7. Laser treatment: Laser is a device that emits electromagnetic radiation through an optical amplification process. It can be used to flatten the scar and make it fade away. While we do so many things and go many miles to add beauty to ourselves, our health is paramount and should be put into consideration in any action we take in the course of self beautification. Beautify yourselves and stay health
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have considered belly button piercing keloid, its symptoms and preventive measures among others.