Patient's question:
My child is 8 years old this year. His navel is very deep. They say it shouldn't be touched, so it's rarely washed. The inside of his navel is often dirty and smells bad. I don't know what's wrong. Could you ask the doctor why the navel smells so bad? Is it serious?Doctor's answer:
An indented navel is dark. It is prone to accumulating moisture and is difficult to dry. The temperature here is suitable. It is an excellent medium for bacteria. The initial symptoms of umbilical cord inflammation are redness at the root of the umbilical cord or on the wound surface after the cord falls off, accompanied by white purulent discharge. The skin around the umbilical cord becomes red and swollen. Bacteria can even enter the bloodstream through anatomically patent potential channels, such as the umbilical cord vessels, leading to severe consequences, such as sepsis. Therefore, umbilical cord inflammation must be treated promptly. If the umbilical cord is clearly inflamed, with purulent discharge, immediate hospital treatment is necessary.