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Suggest Treatment For Soreness And Redness In The Navel
Question: my belly button appears to be infected. It is very red and sore and I dabbed it with antiseptic on a cotton wool bud last night and a dark discharge came out of it. Can I treat it myself, do I need to worry? do i need antibiotics?
Brief Answer:
due to discharge may need oral antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Based on your description, it is very likely infected as you stated.
Because of the presence of the discharge, oral antibiotics may be needed but if you are not able to see a doctor immediately, then you can try home care till you have an appointment
This would include: (1) thorough cleaning with the anti septic twice daily
(2)applying a topical antibiotics twice daily after the area is cleaned eg fucidin, bactroban, neosporin etc
(3) an anti inflammatory pain killer would help with any pain eg naproxen , cataflam or ibuprofen
Signs of worsening infection would be increasing pain, redness, swelling, warmth, discharge as well as systemic symptoms such as fevere, loss of appetite
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
due to discharge may need oral antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Based on your description, it is very likely infected as you stated.
Because of the presence of the discharge, oral antibiotics may be needed but if you are not able to see a doctor immediately, then you can try home care till you have an appointment
This would include: (1) thorough cleaning with the anti septic twice daily
(2)applying a topical antibiotics twice daily after the area is cleaned eg fucidin, bactroban, neosporin etc
(3) an anti inflammatory pain killer would help with any pain eg naproxen , cataflam or ibuprofen
Signs of worsening infection would be increasing pain, redness, swelling, warmth, discharge as well as systemic symptoms such as fevere, loss of appetite
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi, this is a follow-up to a question posed 2 days ago. - Original question was my belly button appears to be infected. It is very red and sore and I dabbed it with antiseptic on a cotton wool bud last night and a dark discharge came out of it. Can I treat it myself, do I need to worry? do i need antibiotics? I received a great answer and went to see a doctor the same day and have received oral antibiotics. My follow up is - the belly button appears to be less red but I feel winded, like I've been kicked in the stomach - is this OK? I'm taking 4 x Cephalexin 500mg each day for 5 days total and I'm on my 3rd day.
Brief Answer:
depends on exact symptoms
Detailed Answer:
HI
If you mean that you are experiencing severe abdominal pain then this is unusual and would need to be monitored, if it continues then you should be reviewed. Note any warning symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea, increasing tenderness, vomiting, change in bowel habits
If by winded, you mean that you are experiencing bloating then this a possible side effect of the antibiotics. Many antibiotics cause gastrointestinal side effects
If you are indicating that you feel fatigued, then this is likely due to the infection itself though it seems to be improving based on your description
Please feel free to ask anything else
depends on exact symptoms
Detailed Answer:
HI
If you mean that you are experiencing severe abdominal pain then this is unusual and would need to be monitored, if it continues then you should be reviewed. Note any warning symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea, increasing tenderness, vomiting, change in bowel habits
If by winded, you mean that you are experiencing bloating then this a possible side effect of the antibiotics. Many antibiotics cause gastrointestinal side effects
If you are indicating that you feel fatigued, then this is likely due to the infection itself though it seems to be improving based on your description
Please feel free to ask anything else
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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