Infected Belly Button

I've had my belly button pierced for 8 or so months and I have a curved barbell in it. I still have some discharge coming from it and it does get crusty most days still and the skin around the hole has tiny bumps and is still pink. Also, in general the area around my barbell is tough and harder (like if I push into the immediate area where my barbell is, the inside feels a little tough, and I know it's not just the barbell).

Is my piercing infected? And if it is, what should I do? I've heard that you shouldn't take out an infected piercing cause it will close around the infection, but I feel it will not heal. =/

Question From: Amara - Feb 13th 2009