A new body piercing may be red and tender for a few weeks. The healing time for a body piercing can vary depending on which part of your body is pierced and how well you look after it. As a general guide, healing times for the most common body piercings can be: <ul> <li>ear lobe – 6 to 8 weeks</li> <li>top of the ear – 6 to 8 weeks</li> <li>belly button (navel) – 6 months to 1 year</li> <li>nose – up to 6 months</li> <li>tongue – 2 to 4 weeks</li> </ul> ::: body-ad-desktop zones:: 232632,232396,232640 types:: 163 disclaimer:: AD typeFilter:: native_ad adCount:: 1 ::: ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232396,232642 types:: 5,163 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display/native_ad adCount:: 1 :::

How long will a piercing take to heal? 

It's possible to pick up an infection from any body of water, so while your piercing heals you should avoid swimming in: <ul> <li>swimming pools</li> <li>streams, lakes and rivers</li> <li>the sea</li> </ul> You should also avoid using hot tubs. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232396,233460 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Swimming after a piercing 

Your piercing may be infected if: <ul> <li>it's red and swollen</li> <li>it feels warm</li> <li>it's painful – particularly if it's throbbing or the pain is spreading</li> <li>there's discharge coming from the piercing, which may be yellow or green and foul-smelling</li> </ul> If you have any signs of infection, see your GP. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232396,245869 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Signs of infection 

After having a piercing, it is important to keep the area clean and dry. You may be advised to gently clean the area with a warm saline or salt water solution. However, the piercing should be cleaned no more than is necessary to keep it clean, as over-cleaning can irritate the skin and delay healing. It's not normally necessary to rotate or remove a piece of jewellery. To clean the piercing, submerge the area in a warm saline or salt water solution for 5 to 10 minutes. Alternatively, soak a clean cloth in the solution and apply to the area. Once any discharge has softened, you can clean it with a cotton bud or piece of gauze. Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap, and dry them with a disposable towel before touching or washing your piercing. Ensure any clothing and bedding that may come into contact with the area around the piercing is clean.

Looking after your piercing 




## How long will a piercing take to heal? 

A new body piercing may be red and tender for a few weeks. The healing time for a body piercing can vary depending on which part of your body is pierced and how well you look after it.

As a general guide, healing times for the most common body piercings can be:

- ear lobe – 6 to 8 weeks
- top of the ear – 6 to 8 weeks
- belly button (navel) – 6 months to 1 year
- nose – up to 6 months
- tongue – 2 to 4 weeks




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## Swimming after a piercing 

It's possible to pick up an infection from any body of water, so while your piercing heals you should avoid swimming in:

- swimming pools
- streams, lakes and rivers
- the sea

You should also avoid using hot tubs.




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## Signs of infection 

Your piercing may be infected if:

- it's red and swollen
- it feels warm
- it's painful – particularly if it's throbbing or the pain is spreading
- there's discharge coming from the piercing, which may be yellow or green and foul-smelling

If you have any signs of infection, see your GP.




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## Looking after your piercing 

After having a piercing, it is important to keep the area clean and dry. You may be advised to gently clean the area with a warm saline or salt water solution.

However, the piercing should be cleaned no more than is necessary to keep it clean, as over-cleaning can irritate the skin and delay healing. It's not normally necessary to rotate or remove a piece of jewellery.

To clean the piercing, submerge the area in a warm saline or salt water solution for 5 to 10 minutes. Alternatively, soak a clean cloth in the solution and apply to the area. Once any discharge has softened, you can clean it with a cotton bud or piece of gauze.

Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap, and dry them with a disposable towel before touching or washing your piercing.

Ensure any clothing and bedding that may come into contact with the area around the piercing is clean.

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References

Can I go swimming after a piercing?

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.

Article information

You should avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after having a piercing, and ideally until it has healed properly. Learn about looking after your piercing here - using content verified by certified doctors.