What can I do about an infected belly button?

Question

I can not go to my DR. as there are no openings until the middle of DEC. I went to the ER. and was told it is NOT life threatning so they would not see me. But my belly button is RED and I pored peroxide on/in it and it bubbled up. Can i put anitbacterial cream on/in/around it and cover it? I don't know what to do. I have a very high pain tollerence. so i didn't realize untill it hurt really bad.

I do NOT have a piercing there. Never have and never will. I don't know why it started.

The DR. at the emergency room in my town do not treat you if its not really serious. (Broken bone, bleeding, high temp, or life threatening) Mine is none of those. I was told to make an appt. with my DR.

There is no urgent care here.

Answer 1

Is there an urgent care clinic where you live? They are walk-in minor emergency clinics. No appointment needed. They do a great job (personal experience) and cost a lot less than the ER would.

Answer 2

Another thing you can do is to get some epsom salts and make a simple salt solution in a cup with hot water and turn it over onto the belly button and let it soak for a while. This will draw out some of the fluid.

Also, you can do what you stated as well, but if its deep inside the skin then some of your treatment methods wont be able to get to the affected area.

So, if it gets WORSE and you see the red start to spread past the immediate area (or if you see streaking), then you should go to the emergency room or urgent care. They'll shoot you up with antibiotics and put you on a script.

Regards,
Ryan

Answer 3

Keep using peroxide. That is very wise of you. You need to put something like bactine or like you said, an anti-bacterial cream on it. Neosporine works really well too. Try to let it get some air time too. Good luck dear. Did you just have it pierced and it never really healed? That sounds to me like what it may be or you are allergic to the piercing you have used. If you have no medical insurance, all emergency rooms will usually turn you away if it is not life threatening, so I understand your plight if that is the case. If you do have insurance, make them see you. Good luck.

Answer 4

Ok, if it is pierced, take out the piercing. Do not use Hydrogen Peroxide. Use Bactine, it cleans and promotes healing better. While peroxide may kill the intial infection, it also wipes away all the cells your body is sending to your wound. Your doctor may give you something for the pain. Change the bandage daily and keep it as dry as possible. There maybe a build up of puss. Bite a rolled up hand towel and squeeze that puppy. And keep it clean. you may use a little Bacitracin cream for the wound to help it heal.

Answer 5

Did this happen because of a piercing?

Keep disinfecting 2 to 3 times a day. Anti bacterial cream might not be a bad idea. But you should find a walk-in clinic near you. You might need antibiotics to help fight the infection.

Answer 6

Okay. Here is the regime for two weeks at least:
1. peroxide and let it air dry. get it soaked with it
2. after air dried, use neosporin, glob it on, and cover it with a bandaid.
3. do this two or three times a day. especially at bedtime.
4. when healed, keep neosporin on it at bedtime forever.
5. DO NOT PICK AT IT. FINGERNAILS ARE THE DIRTIEST SPOT ON THE BODY, AND THIS WILL ONLY INTRODUCE MORE BAD BACTERIA. IF YOU HAVE A PIERCING, SOAK IT IN PEROXIDE BEFORE AND AFTER WEAR. AND DON'T SHARE THE JEWELRY.

Answer 7

If anti bacterial cream didn't work try anti fungal cream such as cenestan but whatever cream you use you may need to wait a day or two after you stopped using it for the redness to go