Bacteria and fungi often grow around the belly button as this is place offers a favourable environment for their growth. This can lead to belly button infections with symptoms like redness, pain, itching, swelling and so on. The infection is more common in people with priced navels, like the new born babies. Poor hygiene, diabetes, surgery, sebaceous cysts, obesity etc can also cause infection. You can treat belly button infection at home using natural ingredients.
Belly Button Infection Treatment:
Antibiotic creams:
You can also use antibiotic creams to treat belly button infection. Apply this only for a short period of time. It can treat the infection effectively. Take a little of this cream on your fingers and rub it directly on your infected belly button. Let the cream remain there. Apply this whenever you need.
Antimicrobial properties:
You can treat belly button infection by using baking soda, because of its antimicrobial properties. It also has pH maintaining properties. This helps in reducing the growth of infection in future. It is also effective for providing you relief from the irritation and itching caused by the infection. All you have to do is to mix a little of baking soda with water to make a paste. Rub this paste on your belly button. Apply this regularly for getting positive results.
Clean Your Belly Button:
Take a wash cloth and dip it in warm water. Squeeze out the excess water and then place it over the affected naval area for a few minutes. Repeat this several times a day so that you get relief from the pain.
Coconut oil:
The antibacterial and antifungal properties of coconut noil make it great for slowing down the growth of bacteria and fungi. It also prevents the spread of infection. It is also good for reducing the itching, swelling and pain because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
All you have to do is to take a few drops of this oil in a cotton ball and apply it directly over the infected area of your belly button. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes and then you can remove the cotton ball. Apply this 3 to 4 times a day. Continue using it every day till the infection is gone.
Garlic oil:
Garlic oil has anti-microbial properties, which make it very effective for treating belly button infection. Garlic oil also provides you relief from the inflammation caused as a result of infection. So, take care to apply garlic oil on the affected area regularly. This can cure belly button infection.
Hydrogen peroxide:
If the infection on your belly button includes formation of pus also, then hydrogen peroxide is an effective way to treat it. Hydrogen peroxide has the ability to remove the pus from the infected belly button, and thus helps in curing the infection. It is also good for cleaning your belly button.
Indian lilac:
Indian lilac is also known as neem. It is a natural herb and is great for treating several health issues caused by bacterial or fungal infections. The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of neem help in reducing itching and the pain experienced, and prevent the spread of infection.
Take some neem leaves and make a paste of it by grinding them. Apply this paste on your belly button. You can also add some turmeric to it. This will give you better results. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. Pat dry the area. You can apply it twice a day for 2 weeks. Instead the leaves, you can also take a few drops of neem oil and mix it with a teaspoon of any carrier oil, and then apply directly on the infected part.
Keep your infected area clean:
For enhancing the healing process, you have to keep your belly button area clean and dry. This will prevent bacteria from occurring again. When you take bath, make sure that you clean your belly button with soap and water. Use a mild soap for it. This way you can prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the skin. So, wash your belly button with a mild soap and keep infection at bay. You can also apply a water-based ointment on your infected belly button to heal and prevent the infection.
Lavender oil:
The antiseptic properties of lavender help in protecting your belly button area form negative factors. Take a cotton bud and dip it into the lavender oil. Now rub the infected area with this cotton bud. Apply it a few times every day. Continue using this oil till the infection is completely gone.
Tea tree oil:
Tea tree oil is very effective for the treatment of belly button infection because of its antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties. Mix 4 to 5 drops of this oil with a teaspoon of olive oil. You can also use coconut oil instead of olive oil. Apply this mixture on your belly button and wash it off after 10 minutes. Apply this 2 to 3 times a day for better results.
Warm salt water:
Warm salt water is also good for treating belly button infection. It helps in increasing the blood circulation and the absorption of moisture. This helps in the healing process. Salt acts as a natural disinfectant and it also has hygroscopic properties. This way it helps in slowing down the growth of infection. After undergoing the warm salt water treatment, pat the infected area dry and then apply a little of water-based antibacterial ointment on the area.
Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and then dip a cotton ball in this solution. Use it to wash the affected area. Pat dry and then apply the ointment. Do this treatment twice a day for good results.
Aloe vera, alcohol and white vinegar are also good for treating belly button infection. So, follow these home remedies and say good bye to belly button infection.
