With the current fashion trends dictating women to dress up in midriff-baring crop tops and high-waisted pants, the belly button has suddenly zoomed into focus. Everyone wants washboard abs these days, and with that, a near perfect belly button. Women also get their navels pierced these days to enhance the beauty of the belly button. But what if your belly button gets infected? What?! Can your belly button get infected too? Yes, it can, as it is a hidey-hole for numerous bacteria. While it may not pose such a serious problem in healthy individuals, some people may have to bear the brunt of a belly button infection.
Not only women, but belly button infections can affect anyone, irrespective of gender and age. There are two types of infection, bacterial and yeast-induced. It is a favorable breeding ground for infections. To add to it, there is constant deposition of soap and sweat in the navel cavity, and if it is not cleaned on a regular basis, it may trigger off infections.
# Coconut OilWhen it comes to skincare, coconut oil is the most potent remedy as it has medium-chain fatty acids and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This fights infections by combating inflammation and also reduces the swelling in the belly button region.
Coconut oil (select the cold-pressed organic variety)
RemedyApply the oil directly to the infected area. Leave it for a few minutes and let your skin absorb the oil. You can try this remedy several times a day.
# Salt WaterInfection can proliferate in moist and humid conditions, so you need a remedy that will dry out the belly button region. Salt has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and can stop the infection from spreading. It also stops the itching and the inflammation.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of warm water
Remedy
Combine a teaspoon of salt to warm water and blend it well. Put this saline solution into the infected area and try this remedy several times to get relief.
# Warm CompressA hot compress is the best solution for a number of conditions; a belly button infection is certainly one of them. It fights infection and inflammation all at one go. That is why it is perfect for treating a belly button infection too.
Ingredients
Hot water
A clean cloth
Remedy
Dip the washcloth in slightly-warmed water. Wring out the water and place it on the affected area. Keep the washcloth on the area for some time, say for a few minutes. Repeat it as many times as you can.
# Tea Tree OilTea tree oil is one of the most potent essential oils and can treat a belly button infection too. It has great antifungal and antibacterial properties and is a powerful weapon to kill microbes. Since the essential oil is anti-inflammatory in nature, it offers an effective solution to all the belly-button infection symptoms, such as itching, swelling, and pain.
Ingredients1 teaspoon of organic cold-pressed coconut oil
2-3 drops of tea tree oil
RemedyMake this powerful solution with tea tree oil and coconut oil. Blend it well. Use this mixture to apply it in the infected belly button and rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Wipe this off. You can try this all-natural treatment at least 2-3 times a day.
# Peppermint OilYour essential oils arsenal is incomplete without peppermint oil as it has incredible soothing properties and helps soothe inflammation. It has microbe-slaying properties too, that help to get rid of belly button infection.
Ingredients
2-3 drops of peppermint oil
1 teaspoon of virgin cold-pressed coconut oil
Remedy
Make a potent combination by combining these two oils. Apply in the belly button area and let the solution seep inside the navel. Keep it for 10-15 minutes before you wipe it off. Try this at least 2 to 3 times every day.
# Rubbing AlcoholAlcohol (isopropyl alcohol) has antiseptic properties and helps disinfect and sterilize the belly button area, thus inhibiting the spread of infection.
Ingredients
Rubbing alcohol
Cotton pads
RemedyA few drops of rubbing alcohol is all you need to treat the affected area. Leave the solution on the belly button for a few minutes to let it absorbed. Try this once or twice a day to get results.
# Hydrogen peroxideHydrogen peroxide is really useful when you are trying to get rid of a pus-filled cyst in your belly button. The antiseptic properties help accelerate the healing process and help dry up the cyst too.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide
1-2 tablespoons of water
Cotton pads
RemedyCombine hydrogen peroxide with water and dip the cotton pad in the solution. Apply the same on the belly button and let it dry naturally. Do this at least once daily.
# White VinegarVinegar has antiseptic properties thanks to its acetic acid content. This helps to help fight the microbes that cause infection. The disinfectant properties are another way to eliminate the infection.
Ingredients1 tablespoon of white vinegar
2 tablespoons of water
Cotton pads
RemedyCombine the required amounts of both white vinegar and water. Dip a cotton pad in the freshly-concocted solution and apply on the affected area. Let the solution stay in the area for some time, say 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse it off with water. Try this at least 2-3 times every day to see significant improvement in the infection area.
# TurmericTurmeric is one of the most powerful healing herbs on planet Earth. It contains a powerful compound (curcumin) that gives its anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the inflammation and also helps get rid of the other symptoms such as swelling and itching in your belly button region.
Ingredients1 teaspoon of turmeric powder (go for organic)
Water ( the amount required to make a paste)
RemedyCombine turmeric and water together to concoct a thick paste. Apply the same in the infected area. Wait for it to dry and then rinse it off with water. You can try this at least twice or thrice daily.
Alternatively, you can also make your very own concoction of haldi doodh by combining 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and a little honey in a glass of hot milk. This drink has potent therapeutic values, and this will also stave off other infections.