What should I do if my belly button hurts?
Sep 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Jiang Weimin
Introduction
Common diseases causing umbilical pain include:
1. Omphalitis. This condition mainly presents as redness, swelling, and pain in the navel; severe cases may result in rupture and pus discharge. It is primarily caused by pathogenic bacterial infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci.
2. Umbilical hernia. This condition mainly involves protrusion of intra-abdominal contents through a weak area of the abdominal wall. When incarceration occurs, the intestine cannot return to its normal position, leading to severe pain.
In daily life, some people may experience pain around the navel, which not only creates a significant burden at work but also greatly affects their daily living. So, what should one do when experiencing navel pain?
What to Do for Navel Pain
When experiencing navel pain, it's important first to determine whether the pain originates from the skin of the navel or from internal abdominal organs beneath it. Recently, if you've scratched your navel with your fingers and caused skin damage, this may lead to inflammation and pain. It is recommended to keep the navel area dry, clean it with 3% hydrogen peroxide, then disinfect with iodine or alcohol. If an abscess has already formed, furazolidone gauze can be applied externally, and dressing changes should be done regularly. Another possible cause is inflammation of intra-abdominal organs, which can irritate the peritoneum and cause pain around the navel. For example, acute appendicitis typically presents as migratory right lower abdominal pain. If ultrasound reveals an enlarged appendix, surgical removal may be necessary.
Navel pain is commonly associated with the following conditions: 1. **Omphalitis (navel infection):** This condition causes redness, swelling, and pain in the navel. In severe cases, the area may rupture and discharge pus. It is primarily caused by bacterial infections such as *Staphylococcus aureus* or streptococci. 2. **Umbilical hernia:** This occurs when contents of the abdominal cavity protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. When incarceration happens—meaning the intestine cannot return to the abdominal cavity—it causes severe pain. Incarcerated hernias usually require emergency surgery to prevent intestinal necrosis. 3. **Other diseases:** Navel pain may also occur in conditions such as colitis or colon tumors.
Navel care is relatively simple—promptly clean any dirt inside the navel. During each bath, after the navel is fully soaked, gently wipe the inside with a moist cotton swab or cotton ball and rinse away any residue. We hope this information helps you. Wishing you good health and happiness in life.
