Question:
Belly Button Not Healing
My mom and I are a little worried about her belly button. A little over a month ago she had hernia surgery. And the Doc managed to keep the belly button on. Now It doesn't seem to be healing well. We still keep it covered with gauze except when she showers. We clean out using cotton swabs and distilled water. But every day this creamy looking stuff comes out. It is not showing any formation of scabs to say that it's healing. It just looks sort of wet. I was looking on line for the forum you mentioned way back when to see if any other patients have run into the same problem. And what they did about it. I was thinking of cleaning it out with alcohol swabs (my mom doesn't want that) Or finding some iodine swabs to clean it out with. is that a good idea? And should we keep covering it? Or just leave it open so may be it my dry out? I don't know. — TarynS6300 (posted on February 18, 2008)
February 17, 2008
I say leave it alone. My belly button has always had some drainage,
sometime with a bad odor. My PCP as well as my surgeon have assured me it
is not anything to worry about. It is a fistula and usually needs no repair
unless it gets worse.
— Tawnda C.
February 17, 2008
If you are really concerned about it, I'd contact the surgeon. It may be
nothing, it may be an infection that needs an antibioitic. I would get a
professional opinon instead of self medicate, but that is just my opinoin.
DAVE
— Dave Chambers
February 18, 2008
I'd say leave it alone as well and further more leave it open so it can get
air and dry out. If it's already moist -- don't put anything else on it
--watch it for additional discoloration or swelling and if it starts to
cause great pain -- then I'd get the surgeon involved. I'm no doctor --
just one who has had a lot of scraps and bruises.
— the7thdean
February 18, 2008
I am by no means an expert. Did the doctor say to keep the wound covered?
I believe that by keeping it covered you are keeping it moist and it has
not had the chance to scab or dry out enough to scab. If it is oozing,
please see a doctor immediately. If it is just wet, try letting it dry out
unless the doctor says otherwise. Use drying cleansers such as peroxide,
I'm not sure alcohol would be the chosen one for me. After the scab forms,
start using an antibiotic cream. I hope I was a little help.
— bariatricdivalatina
February 18, 2008
I would check with the surgeon. When I had my last hernia repair, my
bellybutton got infected. Just to be sure, I'd have the surgeon look at it
to make sure everything is okay.
— djfoz
February 18, 2008
I would leave it open to air and cleanse with hydrogen peroxide twice daily
UNTIL you get in to see the surgeon. He/she may want an antibiotic or
antifungal as well.
— MAG
February 18, 2008
I'd clean it out with peroxide and q-tips twice a day. I haven't had
bariatric surgery, but I did have a surgery where I was left with an open
drain hole and and another one where my skin incision partially re-opened
and both times they told me to just clean it with peroxide, watch for
infection, and keep it open to the air. As long as the discharge doesn't
have a strong odor, it's probably just part of the healing process.
— chemistry_queen
February 18, 2008
I had one also mine was doing the same thing, I used to always keep it
cover up after, I start letting it get some air it haeled completed.
— moe36
February 19, 2008
1st things first...FOLLOW the Dr's orders. 2nd DO NOT use alcohol or
iodine. They are too drying and will cause the tissue to DIE. (I am an ER
nurse with a background in Trauma/woundcare). Talk o the DR or ask for a
referral to a wound care clinic. Also no peroxide unless it's very dilute.
We don't even us it in the hospitals anymore unless it's diluted to 1/3
strength 2 parts sterile water 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Basically you need
to follow your surgeon's medical advice and nothing else. Good luck! It
will take time ;o)
— Tomi D.
February 19, 2008
1. how large and how deep? If smaller than a dime and no deeper than a 1/4
inch dont worry about it.
2. Does the fluid have an odor? is it yellow or green in color? Is it red
or swollen around the wound? Do you feel any heat to the touch in
comparison to the surrounding tissue? If yes, to any of these, call your
surgeon and let him know. Ask when you will hear back from someone or when
you should call back if you don't.
3. I am concerned that you keep it uncovered during showers. I am a CMA and
work in orthopaedics and before that cardiac. In all that time, we have
never encouraged a patient to keep an open wound uncovered during a shower.
Some of the dirtiest water happens when it mixes with the bacteria on your
skin. That water flows over anything below it. Keep it covered during the
shower with plastic wrap and tape and uncovered otherwise unless going
someplace and needing to be dressed. Removal of the gauze itself would
cause removal of any scab that may have formed. It needs air to scab
correctly. I dont suggest using any over-the-counter creams on it at this
point.
4. keep an eye on it, but otherwise leave it alone.
-Lani King
— nclady27583
February 19, 2008
on babies belly buttons we drip drops of alcohol on so that it keeps area
clean and it dries up - you could also use some atb cream like polysporin.
— Deealicia
February 20, 2008
IF you are worried enough to post online about this issue, then your mom
needs to go back and see her surgeon or pcp to evaulate whether this is an
infection and needs additional treatment.
No peroxide, no alcohol, no idodine unless you have been specifically told
to by your doctor. These substances are incredibly irritating and
drying... the stinging it causes is your body telling your brain,
"ouch! this isn't good for me."
A month out, unless told by her doctor, the wound needs to be allowed to
dry.... by having contact with the air. It should definitely be covered in
the shower.
Bottom line, call the doctor and get instructions on how it should be cared
for.
— mrsidknee
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