The navel is a part of the body that many do not pay attention to and perceive as a reminder of the fetal life. And if everyone knows how to treat cough, diarrhea, gastritis, high blood pressure, then the discharge from the navel of many "home" doctors is perplexing. Let's see what this phenomenon can be related to.
In the process of birth, the umbilical cord is excised, and therefore, the navel in the first months of life requires close attention. The main condition for the rapid healing of the wound is dryness and cleanliness. The navel should be subjected to treatment twice a day, which consists in the following: with a cotton ball moistened with hydrogen peroxide, all discharges from the navel, crust and suppuration are removed. The wound is then lubricated with an alcohol-based antiseptic solution. Such hygienic procedures are carried out until the wound remains clean, there are no crusts on it, and a drop of hydrogen peroxide does not foam. In some children, the wound heals within 14 days, while others require more time.
The following procedures will help speed up the healing of the umbilical wound:
- Keep your baby naked more often;
- Keep the umbilical wound always dry;
- Disposable diapers should not impede the free movement of air;
- While the wound has not healed, it is advisable to iron underwear.
You should not think that bathing can provoke discharge from the navel, just in the process it is worth following the simple recommendations of pediatricians. Until the umbilical ring has healed, this procedure should be carried out in a baby bath with the addition of a potassium permanganate solution. In bathing water, you should pour a ready-made solution.
If the skin around the navel turns red, it is constantly in a weeping state - this is an occasion to consult a doctor. Only a specialist will be able to determine the cause of these phenomena: infection of the wound, umbilical hernia, fistula.
Fistula of the navel distinguish between full and incomplete. With a complete fistula, an ileum secretion is released through the umbilical ring . This condition is characteristic of children with an abnormally thick umbilical cord, which prevents compression of the umbilical ring. Such an umbilical wound does not heal, in its center is a hole through which fluid is released from the navel. The treatment of a complete fistula consists in the operation of excision surgery. An incomplete fistula is characterized by a long period of discharge from the navel, and therefore, pediatricians can diagnose a “wet navel”. Parents should be alert if the discharge is purulent. In this case, you can not do without the advice of a surgeon. Treatment of an incomplete fistula consists in drying the wound with manganese or hydrogen peroxide, applying dressings with chlorophyllipt. If these measures do not bring effect, a surgical operation is performed.
Fistula does not necessarily manifest itself in childhood, sometimes an adult can notice discharge from the navel. If it is associated with non-closure of the vitelline intestinal duct, then the discharge is similar to mucus or intestinal contents. If the cause of the fistula was the non-closure of the urinary duct, then urine is released from the umbilical fistula. Treatment consists of surgical intervention, which is preceded by a series of studies aimed at clarifying the causes of discharge from the navel.
For a weeping navel, which can occur at any age, doctors have the name omphalitis. This condition is characterized by the absence of pain, the only thing that worries the patient is redness around the navel and purulent discharge from it. Most often, they have an unpleasant odor. Treatment consists in getting rid of excess fluid by draining, applying aseptic and drying dressings.