I'm about to go scuba diving for the first time but stupidly enough a few weeks before I had my belly button pierced, forgetting that I was meant to be going on holiday. I am desperate to ensure it does not get infected when I go scuba diving and a friend said there is a waterproof plaster so strong that it is suitable to be used in scuba diving. Does anyone know the name/brand of this plaster or from experience does anyone know any waterproof plasters that will guarantee that my piercing will remain dry? I have had experience with poor quality brands where the water has seeped right through, that's why I'm so cautious.
Help with Plasters
- Thread starter tigsy
- Start date
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cowprintrabbit
Contributor
tigsy:
Does anyone have experience with the 3M Nexcare Waterproof bandages? I have never worn them while diving, but have had good luck in otherwise wet situations - if I make sure there are no wrinkles in the clear part!
I don't want to outright tell you to use them unless someone else has had good luck with them...
SueMermaid
Guest
I find that diving in salt water helps soothe any irritation that my navel piercing might have.
If your piercing is several weeks old, I not worry tons about it.
I am not a doctor, keep in mind, but if you bring some neosporin (or topical antibiotic) with you, and maybe some surgical scrub, I'm betting your piercing will be fine without messing with covering it up. But be sure to ask your piercing salon, they will probably be able to make a recommendation.
If your piercing is several weeks old, I not worry tons about it.
I am not a doctor, keep in mind, but if you bring some neosporin (or topical antibiotic) with you, and maybe some surgical scrub, I'm betting your piercing will be fine without messing with covering it up. But be sure to ask your piercing salon, they will probably be able to make a recommendation.
mstudley
Contributor
Just give the piercing a good coating of Bacitracin before you get in the water and you'll be fine. You can get bacitracin at just about any drugstore (actually, if you recently got a piercing you should already have some 
).
Tattoos are usually more of an issue when it comes to salt water than a piercing is.
).Tattoos are usually more of an issue when it comes to salt water than a piercing is.
lragsac
Guest
tigsy:
I can't speak to the bandage situation but when I got my piercing (nose) the instructions I received from the salon specifically advised against using any topical antibiotic (like Neosporin) as they keep the area moist, which can attract bacteria. Also, while it may seem intuitive that salt water would be soothing, the ocean can be polluted, so you risk exposure to bacteria even when the water looks clean. At any rate, I've been told by various salons that you should stay out of the ocean anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 weeks after a piercing. I choose to go back to diving 10 days after I got a piercing and was fine. I had access to Amoxicillin and gave myself a prophylactic dose (just as I would before going to my dentist, as I have a heart valve condition). However, I am not a physician and I am NOT advocating this practice. If you are really concerned you could visit your doctor and inquire about appropriate preventive measures.
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