Infection? Belly button piercing..

So about two weeks ago my belly button was hurting extremely bad. Like the slightest of touch would just really hurt. So I put Neosporin on it. I've had it pierced for a little over a year now. Well, this morning I was looking at it and I noticed that the space in between my piercing had a white dot in it. It didn't hurt but I started squeezing it and it started to puss. I cleaned it with a paper towel and went on with my day. Skip back about a month ago I sent a picture of it to my sister and she said it looked really dry and to put some lotion there... Do you think it's infected or just dry?

Also, I have NEVER taken it out, mainly just because I'm too scared. When I cleaned it I would just clean it while it was still in my belly. Should I take it out and clean it fully? Or take it out and leave it out for a few days?? 😬😥 I'm not sure what I should do..