Care for neonatal omphalitis: these six points should be kept in mind

Newborns are more likely to suffer from omphalitis. When this disease occurs, parents must do a good job of care and try to keep the baby's umbilical cord clean and dry. Also, the baby's umbilical cord must be allowed to fall off naturally and never be pulled by hand.

1. Keep it clean. Use a cotton swab dipped in 75% alcohol to wipe the baby's navel every day. Lift the baby's ligature with one hand and use the other hand to gently wipe the baby's navel, wiping slowly in circles from the navel fossa to the outside. After finishing, remember to disinfect the baby's ligature with alcohol.

2 Keep it dry. If the baby's umbilical cord gets wet accidentally, wipe it dry with a cotton swab or clean, soft gauze. When bathing your baby, avoid getting the umbilical cord wet by water.

3. Mothers with obsessive-compulsive disorder should keep their hands off and let the baby's umbilical cord fall off naturally, which usually takes one to two weeks. If it does not fall off within the time limit, mothers just need to pay close attention and make sure the baby's umbilical cord is not infected or have any other abnormalities. Don't be overly anxious, as worrying too much will lead to confusion.

4. Observe whether the umbilical cord has moisture, exudate or purulent secretions. If so, timely treatment should be given. Use 3% hydrogen peroxide to thoroughly clean the navel, dry it with sterilized cotton twigs, and then dehydrate it with 95% alcohol. After drying, apply iodine form powder (to inhibit wound secretions and suppuration, and have analgesic effect). If the inflammation is obvious, apply Bactroban ointment or choose antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor.

5. After the umbilical cord stump falls off, pay attention to observe whether there is cherry-red granuloma proliferation in the umbilical fossa. It should be treated early to prevent the granuloma from growing too long and delaying treatment. 10% silver nitrate solution can be used for cauterization treatment.

6. Pay attention to umbilical cord fungus, umbilical fistula, umbilical bleeding or umbilical cellulitis, and deal with them in time.