Patient's question:
Is it harmful to apply the ash of burned mugwort to a newborn's navel after the umbilical cord falls off? I heard this can lead to infertility. Is it true that applying the ash of burned mugwort to a baby's navel really causes infertility?Doctor's answer:
The umbilical cord of the baby has fallen off on its own. It is necessary to keep the local skin dry at all times. The child is very young, with weak immunity and resistance. Applying mugwort ash or other plant ashes to the umbilical area may not cause infertility, but it is highly likely to lead to re-infection and cause harm to the baby's body. The correct approach is to use povidone-iodine to disinfect the umbilical area of the child.