What Is a Belly Button Infection?
10. How Are Belly Button Infections Treated?
If your symptoms are mild, begin by cleaning the area. You may be tempted to scrub hard, but this rough treatment could further damage infected skin. Instead, clean the belly button thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol. Dry it completely, and then apply a topical antibiotic cream. As much as possible, allow your belly button to remain uncovered by clothing until it heals.
If you seek medical attention, a doctor will recommend treatments specific to the pathogen involved. If you are suffering from a yeast infection, you will be prescribed a topical ointment containing an antifungal medicine. If the infection is bacterial, a cream containing antibiotics will be given instead. In the case of a severe infection, you may be required to take oral antibiotics or in extreme cases to receive them intravenously. Most people recover fully from belly button infections with no long-term consequences to their health
Advertisement
