Diagnosis
The diagnosis of an inflammation of the baby’s belly button is primarily an eye diagnosis of the doctor. Due to the typical appearance with redness, swelling and overheating, the doctor can quickly suspect an inflammation of the navel. In addition, blood samples taken can also indicate an inflammation.
These include elevated levels of a certain inflammatory protein called CRP and elevated leukocyte levels (i.e. an increased rate of white blood cells). By the appearance of the navel inflammation in the baby alone, the doctor cannot draw any conclusions about the causative pathogens. To determine the pathogen causing the infection, the doctor must take a so-called smear from the area of the inflamed tissue and have it microbiologically examined. Only after the pathogen has been determined can targeted treatment with an antibiotic be carried out.
Therapy
In the case of an incipient inflammation of the navel, the therapy consists mainly of local disinfection of the wound. In addition, both antiseptic and antibiotic ointments can be applied to an inflamed navel. If the belly button inflammation in the baby continues to spread and gets worse, local measures may not be sufficient and systemic antibiotic therapy may have to be started.
In order to avoid recurrent navel inflammation it is important not to neglect the skin care of the baby. In addition to regular cleaning of the navel, treatment with a healing and disinfecting ointment can also be used. Especially if pus has already formed in the navel, treatment with a well effective ointment should not be avoided.
In case of minor inflammations Bepanthen® Wound and Healing Ointment should be applied to the navel. A small plaster can then be stuck over the navel to leave the ointment in place as long as possible. Also the input of iodine ointment can be very helpful, because it has a particularly good disinfecting effect and kills many germs.
If these measures are not sufficient, an antibiotic ointment should be rubbed into the navel. Broad-spectrum antibiotics in the form of ointments in particular contribute to killing a large proportion of the pathogens in question in the navel. In most cases, ointments, in whatever form, are very well tolerated and lead to a quick improvement.
A combination of two antibiotics is often used as an antibiotic ointment. The antibiotics neomycin and bacitracin are often used. It practically only works on the skin with which it comes into contact and is almost not absorbed by the body.
This means that the side effects are limited. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that kills most germs. However, if the symptoms do not improve despite regular and timely application, a skin smear should be taken from the navel. This would then determine the exact pathogen that causes the inflammation and the antibiogram would identify the most effective substance.
