Question
What should I do if the umbilical fossa starts to smell and the surrounding area is painful?
Answer
I’ve had severe pain in my umbilical fossa for several days. Initially, there was an odor with no pain, but later on, it started to become inflamed and extremely painful. It seems there might be pus, and I’ve seen a doctor who recommended using hydrogen peroxide for disinfection, along with taking anti-inflammatory and painkillers. Although it’s not a serious illness, the treatment hasn’t been effective. What should I do? The common issue is navel inflammation, which may be related to the patency of the umbilical cord and urinary tract. No navel orange spots have been found yet. It’s best to have a doctor examine you at the hospital without needing any special tests. If there is inflammation of the umbilical cord, regional disinfection with dressings should be applied, keeping the area dry to avoid further infection. Typically, umbilical cord debris should be cleaned promptly, but do not apply excessive pressure on the cord. If the umbilical cord urinary tract has not closed, surgery may be required. I suggest you follow a light diet and visit the hospital as soon as possible for examination and treatment.