Why is there pus coming out of the newborn's belly button?

When a newborn is just born, it is important to take good care of the navel. If the care method is not correct, it is easy to cause infection, which will cause pus to come out of the navel of the newborn, which is very harmful to the health of the newborn. Once inflammation forms, the baby will have a fever. So let us take a detailed look at what is going on with pus coming out of the navel of the newborn?

First, what is the reason for pus coming out of the belly button of a newborn? If the navel is damp or even pus comes out after the umbilical cord falls off, it should be omphalitis. The disease is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli or hemolytic Streptococcus infecting the umbilical cord due to improper handling during umbilical cord cutting or after birth. Some babies will have fever and increased white blood cell count. Severe cases will develop sepsis. Severe conditions will cause peritonitis and symptoms of systemic poisoning, such as refusing to eat, poor spirits, irritability, etc.

Second, some babies may have a small amount of fluid or pus flowing out of the navel, but there are no other symptoms of redness or swelling, so there is no need to worry too much. You can use a baby cotton swab dipped in 75% alcohol to gently wipe off the pus, and then start from the base of the navel and slowly wipe the skin around the navel outwards. Do not rub back and forth to avoid infection. Never apply gentian violet on the navel, as this will not only affect the observation of the navel condition, but will also cause scabs to form on the navel surface, hindering the discharge of pus and aggravating symptoms.

Third, the main treatment principles for pus discharge from the navel of a newborn are: keep the area dry, change diapers frequently, and prevent urine contamination. For mild cases, use 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to clean the navel, and then apply 75% alcohol 3 times a day. Penicillin and ampicillin infusion can also be used. The course of treatment is generally 5-7 days. If the umbilical cord has not fully grown back within 10 days of falling off, it is considered abnormal and you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What is the reason for pus coming out of the belly button of a newborn baby? When bathing the baby, it is best to choose a sponge bath to avoid the navel from contacting water. You can also go to the pharmacy and buy a waterproof umbilical patch specially for newborns to protect the umbilical cord.