What is Infection of the Navel? Know its Causes, Symptoms and Home remedies

2021-12-09 10:56:06

The navel is a favourable place for many types of microbes to grow in the body. Dust, bacteria, fungus and many other types of germs get trapped inside the navel and start multiplying their numbers due to which the infection spreads. People with a recent abdominal operation are at a higher risk of developing an infection in the navel. Some conditions, which often occur in infants and children, such as thrush and athlete's foot, etc. spread to the navel. Due to infection, white, yellow, brown or blood-like fluid comes out from the navel which also gives a strange smell. Because of this, along with fungal infections in the navel, many other bacterial infections occur. Due to which problems like itching, burning, and pain in the navel while passing urine occurs.

Doctors diagnose this condition on the basis of the patient's symptoms and physical examination. The best way to avoid infection in the navel and the discharge of the navel due to it is to take care of it. Navel infections are treated with antibiotics, antifungal creams or corticosteroid creams, etc. However, in some severe cases, surgery may also be required.

Symptoms of the infection in the Navel

Following are the most common symptoms that people feel when they have an infection in the navel:

• Persistent itching or tingling in the navel.
• Light green, yellow or brown coloured pus coming out of the navel.
• Bad smell from the discharge (pus or fluid) coming out of the navel.
• Bleeding from the navel
• Pain, swelling and redness in and around the navel.
• Overheating of the skin.
• Vomiting and dizziness (this symptom is felt only in severe cases)

Causes of infection in the Navel

Constant touching-

Touching the navel repeatedly also increases the risk of infection because our hands are not always clean. This repeatedly touching the navel increases the risk of bacteria or fungus accumulating in the navel. Due to the moist and warm environment in the navel, microorganisms develop rapidly and spread the infection.

Lack of cleanliness-

Poor hygiene is the main cause of infection in the navel. Microorganisms easily start accumulating in the navel by not bathing daily due to which infection occurs in the navel. Apart from this, bathing with unclean water also increases the risk of infection in the navel. However, the most important thing is that not cleaning the navel while bathing and not removing the soap and water stored inside the navel after bathing helps the microorganisms to grow.

Bacterial infection-

The navel is known to be home to a variety of bacteria. If you do not clean that area properly, then bacteria can cause infection in the navel. Due to bacterial infection, green or yellowish smelly discharge starts coming out of the navel. In this condition, there is swelling and pain and a crust forms around the navel.

Yeast infection-

Candidiasis is a type of yeast infection that is caused by a type of yeast named Candida. It is a yeast that develops in moist and dark parts of the body (where there is no exposure to sunlight and air). It occurs in the folds of the skin (skin on the skin) like in the groin and under your arms. Yeast can also accumulate in your navel especially if you do not clean your navel properly. This causes a red and itchy rash to form in the navel and a thick white discharge starts coming out.

Diabetes-

People who have diabetes are more likely to get an infection of the navel. This is because yeast eats the sugar and due to diabetes, the amount of sugar in the blood increases.

Surgery-

If a person has had any surgery recently. For example, with hernia surgery etc., pus starts flowing from the navel. If this happens, contact a doctor immediately because it can be a sign of a serious infection that needs to be treated.

Urachal cyst-

When the baby is growing in its mother's womb, its bladder is connected to the umbilical cord through a thin tube called urachus. In this way, urine is expelled from the body of the baby during its stay in the womb. The urachus duct usually closes before birth but sometimes it does not close completely and remains slightly open.

Sebaceous cyst-

It is a type of lump which can develop in the navel as well as in many other parts of the body. It develops from an oil-releasing gland. It is called sebaceous glands. In this, there are black pimples in the centre of the cyst. If this cyst is infected, a yellowish-coloured, foul-smelling fluid oozes from it. The cyst may also swell and become red in colour.

Preventive measures of infection in the Navel

• Wash the navel daily even while taking a bath with soap with soft fingers. For this, use a soap that helps fight bacteria.
• After washing the navel, do not leave it wet, that is, wipe it well with a towel and dry it. Leaving it wet can aggravate the infection.
• Try to keep the navel dry with talcum powder throughout the day.
• Change sports clothes regularly. By doing this, sweating will not be there & the navel will remain dry.
• When exercising, wear clothes that allow your skin to breathe and absorb sweat.

When does the risk of infection in the Navel increase?

There are certain types of factors that increase the risk of infection in the navel, such as-

• Abdominal surgery or pregnancy.
• Any wound or injury around the navel.
• certain types of clothing.

Checking for infection in the navel-

The following blood tests are done to detect signs of infection from a sample of blood:

• Total leukocyte count.
• Differential leukocyte count.
• ESR test pus culture and sensitivity (taking a sample of discharge from the navel).
• Sometimes doctors take a piece of infected cell from the pus or navel as a sample and send it to the lab for testing. The doctor doing the test examines a sample of pus or cells with the help of a microscope and determines whether the person has an infection.

Home remedies for Navel infection

Turmeric-

Turmeric is considered to be the best antioxidant antibacterial element because many types of antibodies present in it protect the body from infection. Also, it helps to get rid of them even after infection. Make a paste of turmeric and apply it to the infected area.

Neem tree-

Turmeric powder with neem is very beneficial. For this reason, while making turmeric paste, crush some neem leaves in that paste and apply it to the place of infection.

Tea tree oil-

Tea tree oil is one of the most popular remedies for treating infections in the navel. Coconut oil mixed with tea tree oil is also applied to the affected area several times a day.

Coconut oil-

Antifungal and antimicrobial elements are found in coconut oil. It kills the bacteria causing the infection and slows down the growth of the fungus. Apart from this, coconut oil also reduces the redness, pain and heat of the skin associated with the infection of the navel.

Aloe vera-

When to go to the doctor?

If there is discharge from your navel, then see the doctor because it can be a sign of a serious infection. Apart from this, contact the doctor immediately in the following symptoms of infection in the navel-

• Aloe vera juice helps to get rid of this fungal infection. Also, washing the fungal infection with warm salt water once or twice a day is very beneficial.
• After bathing the skin of the navel, wipe it well with a towel and always keep the navel clean and dry.
• Use an antifungal cream or powder to remove the infection. Apart from this, if there is more infection, start bathing with an antifungal shampoo.
• The fungal infection mostly occurs in the navel. In this case, reduce the intake of sweet and oily foods.
  • In case of high fever.
  • When there is redness on the skin.
  • Tenderness (pain when touched) in the abdomen.
  • Pain while urinating.