Weeping navel in a newborn: a variant of the norm or a reason for panic?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The first problem that new parents face is the treatment of the navel. If a few years ago, doctors were unanimous in their opinion that this place should be washed and treated with brilliant green every day, now they are divided. Some pediatricians still insist on careful care for him, while others say that it is better not to touch him - this way he will only heal faster.

Worrying symptoms

Of course, mom and dad should decide what to do, because now they are responsible for their baby. But if the slightest problems begin, the navel turns red and gets wet, then you must immediately show the baby to a neonatologist or pediatrician.

Most often this situation occurs when an infection enters a wound that has not yet healed. At the same time, nothing bothers the newborn, he behaves as usual, but this does not mean that everything is fine with the baby. If you notice a grayish purulent discharge that dries up and forms a crust, an unpleasant odor from the wound and reddened skin, then you need to additionally start treating the problem area.

Weeping navel in a newborn is the first sign of the onsetinflammatory process at the bottom of the wound. If such a problem occurs, the pediatrician will most likely say that the baby has omphalitis. Please note that this must be de alt with. If the navel becomes wet for more than 2 weeks, then this can lead to the fact that mushroom-like growths, the so-called fungus of the navel, begin at the base of the umbilical wound. In this case, the healing of this place will be difficult.

Processing

Noticing a weeping navel in a newborn, after a preliminary consultation with a pediatrician, it is necessary to start treating it at least 3 times a day. First of all, 2-3 drops of hydrogen peroxide (its 3% solution) should be applied to the wound using a sterile pipette. After that, be sure to dry the navel (for this you can use a regular cotton swab). Now you can proceed directly to the treatment with an antiseptic. As a disinfectant, use a solution of Chlorophyllipt, Furacilin or other drugs prescribed by a pediatrician.

Do not forget that the weeping navel of a newborn should never be sealed with adhesive tape. Also, you should not do any compresses on this area - this way you will only create a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria. But you can bathe the baby, but you need to do this only in boiled water, in which you can add a few crystals of potassium permanganate.

Consequences

If you did not pay due attention to the weeping navel ofnewborn and decided not to do anything, then in a few days the situation may worsen. The inflammatory process in this case begins to move to adjacent tissues - this will already be a manifestation of the phlegmonous form of omphalitis. In this case, the problem area will not only get wet. The navel will swell, pus will be abundantly released from it, and the surrounding tissues will swell and turn red. This process, as a rule, is accompanied by an increase in temperature, the baby begins to eat poorly, becomes lethargic. At the same time, there will no longer be time to find out the reasons why the navel of the newborn gets wet. With the baby, you will have to go to the surgeon, at this stage there is still an opportunity to cope with the problem with the help of antibacterial ointments. But even now, a doctor, according to certain indications, can prescribe antibiotics and anti-staphylococcal immunoglobulin.