Belly Button Pain – Easy to Use Homemade Remedies to Fight Infection

Belly Button

The belly button is one of the most sensitive outer regions of the human body, and belly button pain is to be taken seriously. Various stomach or intestinal problems can lead to pain varying in intensity from mild to excruciating.

Belly Button Pain. Source and Remedies

Belly Button

The belly button lies completely vulnerable to bacteria, yeast, sebaceous cysts, sweat and other intrusive foreign substances, not to mention UV rays- who remembers to cover their navel cavities with sun cream?

Even soap deposited in the belly button can contribute to an infection. While bacterial growth is one cause for concern, the discomfort can have numerous roots:

  • Umbilical Hernia – The pain around the belly button area will feel diffused and hard to locate.
  • Constipation – Chronic cases of constipation might bring about belly button pain.
  • Appendicitis – Appendicitis appears when the appendix becomes inflamed. The pain may be similar to regular stomach ache, although this is far more serious.
  • Ulcer – Ulcer is the effect of an eroded stomach lining and excessive stomach acid. Certain foods will sharpen the pain, which sometimes extends to the belly button area.
  • Post-surgery – The pain is only normal if you have undergone surgery recently, especially if it abdominal surgery.
  • Pregnancy – As the belly gets bigger, the belly button is put under a lot of strain. So a mild belly button pain during pregnancy is only normal while the body’s adjusting to the new size.
  • Piercing – Belly button piercing infections are the most common and troublesome sources of belly button pain.

Locating the pain is also a very important step in identifying the problem.

Identify the Belly Button Pain

Belly Button Piercing belly button pain

  1. Pain below the belly button

A sharp pain below the belly button could be indicative of an intra-abdominal infection or inflammation of the organs in the abdomen. The pain you feel bellow the belly button might be emanating from the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, spleen, small intestine and the large intestine.

  1. Pain above the belly button

Some of the various factors that trigger pain behind the navel cavity are appendicitis, ulcers, gallbladder infections, pancreatitis, Crohn’s disease, or eating disorders. Because pain in the area is so elusive, you will have to observe your symptoms minutely and identify the source.

  1. Pain around the belly button

Pain around belly button ranges from intestinal problems such as appendicitis and irritable bowel syndrome to infections like stomach flu and urinary tract infections, or even food poisoning.

Persistent belly button pain shouldn’t be overlooked and proper medical treatment must be taken on time.

However, if you don’t like visiting a doctor and you think your problem can be naturally treated at home, there’s always that simple remedy you can fix on your own. For your benefit, we’ve put together a list of tried-and-tested recipes to shake that belly button free of pain.

Since, in the majority of cases, the pain is caused by an infection, we’ve concentrated our efforts in dealing with that specific problem.

Homemade Remedies for Belly Button Pain & Infection

  1. Warm & Salty Water

Salt in water

It sounds simple enough, but you know what they say. Make it simple, but significant. Time and again, warm salt water proves to be one of the best home treatments for infections, in our case, a belly button infection.

Soak a cotton ball in saline water and pat the infected area with it. The heat from the water increases the blood flow, while the salt acts as a disinfectant and inhibits the growth of infection. It also absorbs the excess moisture from the skin.

Stick to the process and repeat it twice a day to ensure the infection is cured.

  1. Turmeric

Turmeric and Turmeric Powder

Let’s get the big guns out. Turmeric has an array of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that will aid in reducing the belly button pain, the itching, and the inflammation.

Apply turmeric paste over the infected area three times a day, or ingest a mixture of turmeric powder and honey in a glass of hot milk to solve the problem effectively.

For other health benefits of the curry-colored ‘Queen of Spices’, you can check this page.

  1. Indian Lilac

Indian Lilac

You might be acquainted with Indian Lilac under its other name – neem.

This natural antibacterial and antifungal agent inhibits wards off any infectious microorganisms and kills all bacteria that caused your belly button to ache.

Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe the skin and reduce the pain, inflammation, and itching.

With the help of a cotton, apply some neem oil directly on the affected area, or mix it with some turmeric paste for convincing results.

  1. White vinegar

White Vinegar belly button pain

Not only does it reduce inflammation, but is especially effective in stopping discharged and getting rid of the pus from the infection. White vinegar contains a rich 4-7% of acetic acid which kills the fungus and prevents it from spreading.

To apply it, just mix white vinegar and twice the amount of water and soak a cotton ball in the concoction. Let it stay on for about 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with warm water. Make sure to pat the area dry thoroughly.

Repeat 2-3 times for positive results.

  1. Alcohol

We’re not saying run your bar dry of alcohol, but this wonder drug’s antiseptic properties can prove very effective in curbing the fungal infection and providing relief from the itching and irritation.

This method is a straight shot at the belly button pain. Just soak some alcohol in a cotton ball and apply it on the affected area. Repeat 2-3 times a day.

  1. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera belly button pain

Aloe Vera is like the Chuck Norris of home remedies. There is nothing this remarkable herb cannot deal with. Aloe Vera is widely used for numerous skin ailments, one of which is pain around the belly button.

Its soothing effect helps to reduce pain, itching, and inflammation. To get results, cut open an Aloe leaf and apply the fresh gel over the distressed belly button. Let it stay on for about 20- 25 minutes.

Follow it with rinsing and drying of the belly button. Repeat this process several times a day for quick results.

Check out other a more detailed list of Aloe Vera’s amazing properties.

  1. Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil made from a native Australian tree similar to camphor in odor. Its appearance ranges from pale yellow to colorless.

Tea tree oil sports antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties which can help in the fight against the bacteria and fungus of the belly button. It also helps in reducing the belly button pain and the redness from the skin.

For effective results, just apply a few drops of tea tree oil alone or mix it with 1 teaspoon of olive or coconut oil to dilute it a little. Leave it on for 10- 15 minutes, and then wipe off the excess oil with the help of a cotton ball.

Repeat the process 3- 4 times a day for quick recovery.

  1. Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil belly button pain

Coconut oil, through its antifungal and antibacterial properties, helps curb the growth of bacteria, while its anti-inflammatory powers provide relief from the irking pain, the itching, and inflammation that come with a belly button infection.

All you need to do is apply some warm coconut oil over the affected area, after making sure you cleaned it thoroughly. Then let the coconut oil do its wonders.

  1. Calendula Flowers

Calendula Flowers belly button pain

Calendula is a herb containing hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic substances that can prove effective in reducing itching, curbing belly button pain and preventing the spread of infection.

Prepare about 2 or 3 calendula flowers or leaves to crush. Extract their juice and apply it on the affected area. Repeat three times a day to get the desired effect and promote healing.

If you can’t find fresh calendula, it can easily be replaced by calendula lotion or ointment.

  1. Warm Compress

Severe infections can bring about sharp pain around the belly button. Sometimes, solutions as simple as a warm compress can radically improve your physical wellbeing.

In order to make the infection subside, take a washcloth to dip in warm water and wring excess water out. Then, put the warm cloth on the belly button.

Due to the heat, applying a warm compress over the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes helps in relieving the intense pain.

A warm shower can also alleviate the discomforts associated with belly button infection.

  1. Mild Soap Cleansing

Soap Cleansing

Keeping the belly button clean and dry is most essential measure. The infection can travel on the surrounding skin with ease if untreated. Let it loose and it can cause you great discomfort.

Cleanse the infected belly button with a mild soap to curb the bacteria growth on time. This is the reason why people getting their belly button pierced always receive a verbal instruction kit on how to protect their belly buttons from infections.

Good quality soap can make the difference between a clean, fungus-free navel cavity or a pain-ridden belly button.

Final words of advice

Sometimes, treatment depends on the underlying medical condition that may be causing belly button pain or infections. Take some additional measures to make sure you’re out of the risk zone:

  • Restrain yourself from touching the infected area.
  • Use cotton balls or swabs for all the applications above.
  • Avoid swimming while suffering from an infection.
  • Go on a diet rich in vitamin C, zinc and antioxidants.

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