Definition – What is a bleeding navel?
A bleeding navel means that blood is leaking from the navel itself or the surrounding skin. The symptom is usually caused by an inflammation, which mainly affects newborns, but can also occur in adults. A bleeding bellybutton should lead to a medical examination, as treatment with an antibiotic is often necessary. In most cases, the cause can be identified and well treated.
Cause of a bleeding navel
In most cases an inflammatory reaction due to a bacterial infection is the cause of a bleeding navel. Often newborns are affected by this disease, known as omphalitis, because the wound made when the baby is cut off can become inflamed. In adults, however, in some cases an inflammation caused by bacteria in the navel can also occur and lead to bleeding.
Risk factors are: Skin bacteria can multiply particularly well there and ultimately cause the inflammation. Another common cause of bleeding in the navel is an injury to the skin, for example from a piercing. If the wound that is inflicted does not heal or reopen sufficiently, it can bleed from the navel. Another, rather rare cause of a bleeding navel is a fistula, i.e. a connecting passage to the abdominal cavity or internal organs, which can also become inflamed. – Overweight
- A very low navel
- Insufficient hygiene in the area of the navel
- Impairment of the body’s own defence system (for example diabetes (diabetes))
Treatment of a bleeding navel
The therapy depends on the cause of the bleeding. If, as in most cases, an infection is the cause, the navel should be washed thoroughly with lukewarm running water on a regular basis. If necessary, the doctor will also initiate treatment with an antibiotic taken in tablet form.
Sometimes an antibacterial ointment is also prescribed. In the case of major inflammation, the doctor will disinfect the navel and tape it with a bandage. He will arrange a check-up appointment after a few days to check the wound and possibly renew the dressing.
In case of an injury, for example due to a piercing as the reason why it bleeds from the navel, the most important aspect of the treatment is the removal of the piercing. Then the wound is cleaned, disinfected and covered with a plaster or bandage. Usually the wound heals within a few days. Only in very rare cases a treatment beyond the mentioned measures is necessary.
Course of disease
The course of the disease depends on the cause and extent of the bleeding. A small injury, from which it bleeds only once a few drops, usually heals by itself within a few days. A bacterial inflammation, on the other hand, can in some cases only heal completely with the use of an antibiotic and otherwise flares up again and again more often.
In general, once you have had a severe inflammation of the navel, the risk of suffering from it again increases. In order to positively influence the course of the disease when the navel bleeds, the measures discussed with the doctor should be followed consistently. In addition to the possible use of a medication, hygiene measures are particularly important so that the inflammation heals and no new ones can develop.
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