What Is an Umbilical Infection?

The umbilical cord is the channel between the mother and the fetus. The mother supplies the baby with nutrients through the umbilical vein, and the waste in the fetus is delivered to the mother through the umbilical artery. After the fetus is detached from the mother, the umbilical cord has completed its historical mission and will fall off naturally. The umbilical cord is a susceptible site for neonatal infections. If improperly handled, bacteria can enter the blood through the umbilical cord, causing systemic infections and neonatal sepsis.

Umbilical cord infection

The umbilical cord is the mother with

Keep the umbilical cord dry before the umbilical cord falls off. Do not cover the navel with wet clothes or diapers. If you find that the baby's umbilical cord is wet, you should replace it immediately without touching or wiping the umbilicus with dirty hands or cloth. The umbilical root can be disinfected by disinfecting a cotton swab with 75% alcohol. When rubbing, wipe from the center of the umbilical cord in a spiral shape to the surroundings. Do not rub back and forth to avoid bringing bacteria from the surrounding skin into the umbilical root. After the umbilical cord falls off, there will be some wet or rice soup-like liquid leaking out. You can wipe it with a cotton swab with 75% alcohol or wipe it with 2% iodine, and then apply 75% alcohol on the skin around the root of the umbilical cord. Gentian purple painted umbilical to avoid observing the umbilical infection. If you find granules, purulent secretions, redness, and odor (called umbilitis) in the umbilical root, you need to go to the hospital for a doctor's treatment in time to prevent the condition from worsening.

1. Chemical burning method: apply 3% to 5% silver nitrate solution on small sarcoma, 2 to 3 times a day, the purpose is to allow the navel to dry quickly, but the solution will make the skin dark, so Be careful when using it.

2. Electric burning method: used in hospitals or clinics, use electric burning to directly remove the umbilical erosion, burn it dry and then remove it, the effect is faster.

Conclusion Babies are born with poor resistance and are easily infected with bacteria in the environment. Parents and caregivers must have proper knowledge and treatment. The key to navel treatment is to keep two "dry" principles: clean (wash daily) and dry (use pure alcohol).

The umbilical cord usually falls off within 6-10 days after birth. However, there are also differences in individual children of half a month or more. As long as the umbilical cord is dry and free of swelling or discharge. A slight redness or secretion indicates a slight infection. Just disinfect with alcohol swabs daily. Such as redness and swelling, purulent discharge must be treated by a doctor. Before the umbilical cord does not fall off, try not to get a local bath on the bath. Wipe the body with a wrung towel. After the umbilical cord is detached, it can be disinfected for 3 days.

After the umbilical cord is cut, a wound is formed. This is an important portal for bacteria to invade the baby. The mild can cause umbilitis, and the severe can often cause sepsis and death. Therefore, the disinfection and care of the umbilical cord is very important:

1. Before the umbilical cord is not detached, do not peel it off forcibly. If the ligature is detached, ligate it again.

2. It is necessary to keep the area clean and dry, especially the diaper should not cover the umbilicus, so as not to contaminate the umbilical wound with urine and feces.

3. Always check whether there is bleeding from the outside of the bandaged gauze. If bleeding occurs, you need to re-ligate to stop bleeding.

4. Every day after bathing, expose the umbilical cord with a 75% alcohol cotton swab. When wiping, wipe from the umbilical root in a spiral motion to the surrounding area. Do not rub back and forth to avoid bringing bacteria from the surrounding skin into the umbilical root.

5. Cover with sterile gauze and fix the gauze; if there are purulent secretions in the umbilicus and the surrounding skin is red, it means that the infection is serious. Scrub with 5% alcohol for 3 to 4 times. Never apply gentian Purple, because gentian purple can make the surface of the umbilicus scab, so that the internal secretions can not be discharged, resulting in aggravated infection and the formation of pus under the diaphragm.

note:

If granulation tissue, purulent discharge, redness or odor is found at the base of the umbilical cord, the skin around the umbilical cord is swollen, or if the child is accompanied by fever, milk is not fragrant, and the spirit is not good, it means that there is an infection, you should seek treatment early to prevent it septicemia.