6 Natural Ways To Treat Belly Button Infection

The umbilicus, commonly known as the belly button, is a deep, narrow depression in the abdomen. Multiple commensal microorganisms live naturally in this cavity, but they can give rise to infections if allowed to overgrow.

These microbes require warm and humid conditions to thrive, and your naval cavity offers just that. Plus, they feed on the soap and sweat to multiply rapidly and colonize the belly button.

Belly button infections are extremely common in people of all ages, including newborns. Belly button infections can be bacterial or fungal and localized or systemic. These infections can even lead to sepsis if the microorganisms enter the bloodstream.

# Use an antibiotic/antifungal medication

Depending upon the nature of your infection, your doctor will prescribe either a broad-spectrum antibiotic or an antifungal agent. These medications may be topical or oral, and their strength and dosage will depend on the severity of the infection.

Topical antibiotics or antifungals usually come in the form of a cream, ointment, or powder. Infections that would require oral medication might also require a surgical incision and drainage of the cyst feeding the infection.

The common antifungal agents include miconazole nitrate and clotrimazole, and some common antibiotic agents include cephalosporin and doxycycline.

# Rubbing alcohol

Different types of spirits, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), and n-propanol, are widely used to disinfect the skin on account of their strong and rapid antimicrobial activity.

When applied topically, they kill the bacteria, viruses, and fungi residing on your skin to heal or prevent infections, but they are not so effective against spores.

You can use these easily available solutions to clean and sanitize your belly button. This will help stop the spread of infection and accelerate the recovery process.

# Tea tree essential oil

Tea tree essential oil is one of the most widely used acne remedies, thanks to its extraordinary antimicrobial properties, but it can also prove useful against other skin infections. This antiseptic solution can cleanse your skin of a range of pathogens, including the bacteria and fungi that trigger belly button infections.

Most of the studies attesting the antifungal property of tea tree essential oil have focused on the candida species, which is the most common cause of belly button infections. This oil is also known to inhibit the growth of stubborn bacterial species that show resistance to antibiotics.

# Turmeric

Turmeric is immensely popular when it comes to treating infections. Its antibacterial, antibiofilm, antiviral, and antifungal properties can be attributed to the bioactive curcuminoids present in it. The essential curcuminoid of turmeric is curcumin.

Turmeric, like tea tree oil, also shows antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacterial and fungal strains.

# Marigold or chamomile

Marigold and chamomile are both medicinal plants that can help kill the microbes responsible for belly button infections, soothe the symptomatic discomfort, and repair the affected skin.

Even though marigold is ineffective against several strains of infection-causing bacteria and fungi, it is still a great wound healer.

Chamomile, on the other hand, is credited with very strong antibacterial effects against gram-positive bacteria that are usually involved in belly button infections such as omphalitis.

# Neem

For centuries, the pharmacological properties of neem or Indian lilac have been used in Ayurveda and other forms of folk medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments.

The leaves of this plant contain two polyphenolic flavonoids, namely, quercetin and beta-sitosterol, which produce strong antifungal and antibacterial effects that can help fight the root cause of the infection.

Neem also helps curb the underlying inflammation to ease the redness, pain, and itching associated with such skin infections.