After the baby is born, the leftover stump of the umbilical cord slowly dries and falls off on its own. But, in some babies, after the stump falls, there is a possibility of developing a condition called umbilical granuloma. This is not harmful and does not bother the baby, it generally heals on its own. In very rare cases, umbilical granuloma in babies can get infected and might need medical intervention for healing.
Umbilical cord connects the baby to the placenta during pregnancy. It helps for the free flow of nutrients, oxygen and waste between the baby and the mother. After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut, which separates the baby from the placenta. In a week or two, the leftover stump also falls off.
In This Article
- What is Umbilical Granuloma?
- Causes of Umbilical Granuloma in Babies
- Symptoms of Umbilical Granuloma in Babies
- Complications of Umbilical Granuloma
- Treatment Options For Umbilical Granuloma in Babies
- Top 3 Home Remedies For Treating Umbilical Granuloma in Babies
- When Should You Consult a Doctor?
- FAQ’s
What is Umbilical Granuloma?
An umbilical granuloma is a small tissue growth which forms on the belly button after the cord stump falls. If this gets infected, it can trouble your baby’s navel area. Granuloma is potentially open to infections and infected granuloma can cause itching, fever and other symptoms in babies. Hence, when your baby’s umbilical cord is cut, you must look after the belly button to ensure it gets adequately healed.
Most mothers are unaware of umbilical granuloma. Although umbilical granulomas are not a cause of concern, the baby’s navel care is still important. Taking your doctor’s instructions and following them religiously can help avoid navel infections in babies.
Causes of Umbilical Granuloma in Babies
The precise reason for umbilical granuloma in babies is not still known. What we do know is that it can slow down the healing process of the navel area, because this condition is mostly seen in babies whose cord stump takes more time to fall off. It is not an uncommon and concerning condition.
Umbilical granulomas might occur due to the irregular separation of the cord stump. A slight delay in separation of the cord can also likely lead to umbilical granuloma in babies.
[Read : When Will My Baby’s Umbilical Stump Fall Off?]
Symptoms of Umbilical Granuloma in Babies
A typical umbilical granuloma looks moist and red like a tissue on the navel. It does not cause any discomfort or pain to the baby. But if the granuloma is infected, it might result in few symptoms like
- Irritation on the skin around the navel.
- Sticky or foul-smelling mucus around the navel.
- Moist pink lump of tissue around the belly button.
- Redness in the belly button area, which is sensitive when touched.
- Pus around the cord stump.
- Lethargy
- Fever
An infected granuloma can potentially be troublesome for the baby. Do not delay consulting your doctor if you observe any of the above symptoms in your newborn.
Complications of Umbilical Granuloma
Although umbilical granuloma heals with time in most cases, in some rare cases, it requires medical attention. Hence, it must not be overlooked. Understanding the symptoms and signs of an infection is essential.
Watch out for some warning signs such as
- Constant crying
- Fever
- Rashes or blisters around the belly button
Few granulomas may also lead to symptoms like
- Bleeding
- Redness
- Foul odor coming from the granuloma
- Redness and swelling around the navel area.
Ensure not to overlook it, but consult with your doctor. A prompt consultation, and the doctor’s assistance can help you keep your little one away from contracting other complications.
Treatment Options For Umbilical Granuloma in Babies
Umbilical granuloma in babies can heal on its own. But in some rare cases, if they do not heal for an extended period, the condition might need medical attention.
Here are some of the treatment options for umbilical granuloma in babies.
1. Surgical Thread
Doctors will tie the granuloma tissue at the base with a thread. With this, the tissue will not receive any blood flow, leading the granuloma to dry up and eventually fall.
2. Silver Nitrate Solution
In this treatment, doctors will apply a small amount of silver nitrate solution on the granuloma tissue. It will burn the tissue off and does not cause any pain to the baby. Doctors prefer this treatment to treat umbilical granuloma in babies.
3. Liquid Nitrogen
Doctors apply liquid nitrogen solution on the granuloma. Liquid nitrogen dissolves the tissue by freezing it.
4. Surgical Removal
In surgical procedures, the surgeon uses a scalpel and a knife to remove the granuloma from the baby’s belly button. Surgery is a quick treatment to contain further infections.
Top 3 Home Remedies For Treating Umbilical Granuloma in Babies
As a parent, a feeling of anxiety takes over, when it comes to taking care of a tiny newborn. But, umbilical granuloma is not uncommon, you can treat it using few home remedies. The first and foremost step is to ensure that you keep the area clean and dry. This can reduce probability of the granuloma getting infected. To ensure the baby’s utmost wellness, it is best to consult a pediatrician when in doubt.
Here are a few home remedies that can help you treat umbilical granuloma in babies.
1. Prefer Only Water For Cleaning
You should not use soap or body wash to clean your baby’s affected area. Only plain water does the job well. Even if you want to clean it using any soapy material, you should prefer a pH-neutral cleaner and clean water.
2. Sponge Bathe Your Baby
Do you know that the umbilical granuloma heals more quickly when kept dry? Yes, that’s why it is better to give a sponge bath to your baby. It will keep your baby’s skin clean and dry until the granuloma falls off.
[Read : Sponge Bath Your Baby]
3. Do Not Pull the Stump Off
No, never try to pull the stump off even if it looks like, a small pull would do the job. It’s a big no, it would hurt your baby and might even cause other complications.
When Should You Consult a Doctor?
Inform your doctor if you feel your baby’s umbilical granuloma isn’t healing the way it should. If the granuloma area seems red or infected, or your baby is down with fever, and other symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.
Newborn babies are a beautiful bundle of joy to care for. While you prepare yourself for a great parenting experience, it can be overwhelming to see your baby going through conditions like granuloma. Although umbilical granuloma in infants is a harmless condition, it is important to gain some knowledge about it. Your vigilance can protect your baby from infections.
FAQ’s
1. Can Umbilical Granuloma Heal on its Own For Babies?
In most cases, umbilical granuloma heals independently and does not need any treatment.
2. How Long Does Umbilical Granuloma Take to Heal For Babies?
Usually, umbilical granuloma takes up to one or two weeks to shrink and disappear completely.
3. Is Umbilical Granuloma Painful For Babies?
No, umbilical granuloma does not cause any pain to babies. Infected granulomas can cause rashes, redness and irritation to your baby.
