Belly button infections, either bacterial or yeast can occur at any age and are very common. Naval cavity where the button resides, is a deep damp and dark space which can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast if proper care is not taken. Piercing of belly button is usually safe, but in some cases the area can get bacterial infections.
Poor hygiene and overexposure to harmful ultraviolet rays are the external causes, but health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and sebaceous cysts can also cause belly button infections. The symptoms include pain, redness of the area and green or gray discharge.
Maintaining proper cleanliness of the area and some home remedies can be useful in getting rid of the belly button infections.
Understand Why is Belly Button Infected?
It is important to understand the cause of infection to decide a suitable treatment. If it is caused due to other underlying conditions then you will have to not only work on the infected area but also have to deal with the condition. We can divide the belly button infection in 3 category to effectively deal with it.
a. Infection Caused by Obesity, Diabetes or Other Underlying conditions.
Though you still have to treat the local infection of belly button, it is important to treat the underlying condition. Both obesity and diabetes reduce the speed of healing. In fact diabetes accelerates spread of infections. Wounds don't heal fast and if left untreated can become worst. So reduce your weight, do more exercise, control your diet and take medicines and do everything possible to deal with your diabetes.
In addition to these corrective actions for the underlying conditions, you can use the following remedies for belly button infection.
b. Belly is infected Due to Piercing or Surgery
Piercing done by a certified professional will usually not cause any infection. However, in some rare cases the belly button may get infected. If the piercing is not done by a qualified professional or done under unhygienic conditions then there are more probabilities of getting infections. In addition, since it takes almost 2 years for the belly button piercing to completely heal and become normal from the day the job was done, it is important to take care of the belly button as explained below.
c. Due to Lack of Proper Hygiene
You naval area is deep, damp and dark. it is easy for bacteria and yeast to thrive in such an area if proper cleanliness measures are not taken Soap, water and other items can easily stay in the belly button area to cause infection. Regular and proper cleaning and drying the belly button should be an important part of your daily routine.
In addition to the basic hygiene routine, do the following if the belly button is infected.
1. Antibacterial Soap
Once you got an infection the first step is to ensure that the area is cleaned with an antibacterial soap. This will keep the infection from spreading. Do it while taking regular daily bath. With belly infection taking a bath twice and cleaning the belly with antibacterial soap and then keep it dry will go a long way in getting rid of the belly button infection fast.
2. Warm Salt Water
In between you baths you can clean your belly button with warm salt water. Boil half a cup of water and add 1 teaspoon of salt. This high concentration of salt will help as the salt absorbs the moisture. Stir the salt well to get completely dissolved in the water. Make sure that the water is warm enough but doesn't burn the skin during application.
Dip a cotton ball in the warm salt water and dab it on the belly button to clean the area. Dry the area with a towel. The salt stayed inside the button will absorb the moisture and bacteria will not be able to thrive.
3. Warm compress
Regular application of warm compress will improve blood circulation in the affected area. Increased blood circulation helps healing faster.
4. Turmeric.
Turmeric has anti bacterial capabilities. Apply turmeric powder directly on the belly button dabbing with a cotton ball. Be extra careful as turmeric powder will leave yellow stains on your clothes. Avoid spilling it on the cloths.
Another method is to mix turmeric powder with Aloe Vera gel and apply. This will help reduce the pain as well deal with bacteria.
If all these measures do not work then you must contact a doctor.