How should I handle an inflamed umbilical cord in a baby?
If the infant's umbilical cord inflammation is not severe, it can be wiped clean with alcohol to maintain local dryness and hygiene. If the skin around the navel is red and swollen, accompanied by mild fever, and foul-smelling purulent secretions appear in the umbilicus, it is likely that the umbilicus is infected with pus. In this case, it is necessary to promptly take the baby to the doctor for treatment with antibacterial drugs. If an abscess forms, it may require incision and drainage to prevent the condition from worsening.
1. For mild neonatal umbilical cord inflammation, if it only manifests as a small amount of purulent secretions locally and redness around the umbilical cord, thorough sterilization of the umbilical cord should be paid attention to, and it can usually improve within 2-3 days.
2. If the symptoms of umbilical cord inflammation are obvious, with redness, swelling, heat, and pain around the umbilical cord, a local hard mass or fluctuation sensation, and severe systemic symptoms (fever, decreased milk intake, poor spirits, etc.), hospitalization is required. Strict local sterilization, intravenous antibiotics, and surgical incision and drainage may be necessary if necessary.
1. Children suffering from umbilical cord inflammation during the neonatal period due to incomplete treatment, resulting in chronic umbilical cord inflammation that recurs and does not heal for a long time.
2. Children often scratch the umbilical cord area with their hands, causing the skin to break and become infected, leading to umbilical cord inflammation.
3. Some children, out of curiosity, like to insert foreign objects into the umbilicus, causing acute inflammation of the umbilicus.
4. Friction of the diaper and clothing against the navel causes navel infection.
5. Getting the umbilical cord or the area around it wet during bathing causes infection and inflammation.
6. Due to the deep umbilicus and wrinkled skin on the bottom, dirt and sebum remain, making it difficult to keep the area clean, or accidental scratches during cleansing allow bacteria to invade and cause infection.
