There is no easy way to answer this question since a piercing means so much to us, and its rejection is quite hurtful. You might wonder what went wrong after spending so much time in search of a piercer and your top favourite navel piercing ring, and all of a sudden, it shows the rejection signs.

Some people leave the jewellery in spite of all the symptoms, which causes further complications like cysts and, in some cases, severe infections. That's why proper knowledge about the signs of belly piercing rejection is a must. Here are some common piercing rejection signs you could look for to prevent them from damaging your trendy belly button piercings.

Jewellery is Visible Outside of Piercing

One plain-on-sight rejection warning is that your jewellery is visible and starts sticking out more than it should be. Normally, you should see the decorative ends (gems and jewels) of your belly ring, not the bar itself.

How does it feel?

Imagine looking in the mirror and noticing that more of the barbell or hoop is visible than usual. It's like your piercing is slowly pushing out of your skin. This usually happens because your body sees the piercing as a foreign object and wants to get rid of it.

The Area is Sore and Red

A bit of soreness right after getting pierced is basic, but if the area close to the stud stays sore and red for a hot minute, that spells trouble and is usually not a good sign.

How does it feel?

You might feel bruised with a constant tenderness around your belly button area. The redness isn't backing down and might get worse every hour. This is your body's way of telling you it's not happy with the piercing.

Constant Irritation

If you find your piercing constantly itchy and sore and your clothes regularly on it, it could be your sign of rejection.

How does it feel?

Think about how irksome it is when your shirt gets grabbed on your belly ring all the time or if you can't stop scraping around the piercing. This endless irritation can mean your body is working on popping the jewellery out.

Jewellery is Visible Under the Skin

Seeing your belly button bars under the skin is a definite sign that your piercing is on its way out.

How does it feel?  

Think of checking your jewellery to ensure that the outline of the barbell is noticeable under the skin as if it's barely hanging on. This usually happens because the skin is thinning out as your body bounces out the piercing.

Piercing Hole Becoming Larger

If your piercing hole is getting bigger, it means your body is trying to force out the stud by enlarging the hole.

How does it feel?  

You might notice that the hole looks more stretched out than before. It is turning into a more open wound instead of the initial cute and narrow small hole. This can be pretty daunting and needs your instant focus if you want the belly bar to survive.   

Jewellery Hanging Becomes Different

If the jewellery you are wearing in the present moment is hanging a little off, take it as another sign of piercing rejection. Look for the jewellery angles and see if it droops or sits weirdly.

How does it feel?  

Picture this: your belly ring used to sit perfectly, but now it's hanging lower or at an odd slant. This change is a major oof that your piercing is rejecting, as the skin around it changes and thins.

Jewellery Moves More Freely Than It Should

If your jewellery moves around more than it used to, it is sketchy and alarming. It means the piercing hole has gotten bigger, or the skin is noticeably thin.

How does it feel?  

Remember when your belly ring felt snug and secure? If it starts sliding around easily or you can rotate it without much effort, your piercing might be rejected. It's like your skin can't hang onto it suitably anymore.

What To Do If Your Belly Piercing Is Rejecting

Take it Out

If the infection around your belly piercing is getting worse with soreness, red patches and, in intense cases, keloids, then it is time to remove the jewellery. As simple as it may go, this action will save you from further infections and discomfort. After that, when your jewellery is healed, you can go for another piercing and follow the belly piercing care tips to avoid rejection.

Wear Loose Clothing

Avoid tight clothes that can snag on your piercing. Stick to soft, loose fabrics to reduce irritation and give your piercing some breathing room.

Choose the Right Jewellery

Consider upgrading to hypoallergenic options like titanium or bioplast for your navel bars. Steer clear of cheap metals that could trigger reactions and rejection.

Mind the Dangly Stuff

Be cautious of dangly jewellery (with hanging charms and gems), especially when your piercing is in its healing phase. It catches on literally everything. This can irritate your piercing and stretch the healing time.

Skip the Salt Water

Try to skip being in salt water, as those sharp salt crystals are not doing your piercing any favour. Clean your area with unscented soaps and simple water to rinse off the dirt. Avoid being in the sea for the very few weeks of healing.  

Facing belly piercing rejection is totally a buzzkill, but you can avoid it by reading the early signs. Keep an eye out for these signs and act quickly if something seems off. Keep your piercings on point and prioritise your well-being.