Belly Button Infection: 8 Best Natural Remedies

Belly button infection is the most common issue that affects people of any age including infants. It can be of two types: yeast or bacterial. The belly button is dark and deep, so sweat, dirt, dead skin, soap, residues of cosmetic products, and other substances get garnered in the navel cavity and cause an infection.

Note: If you spot a cottage cheese-like discharge from your belly button, it is a red flag that you have got an infection due to diabetes.

Factors that Enhance the Risk of Belly Button Infection

These include:

-Pregnancy
-An abdominal surgery
-Piercing of the belly button 
-Obesity
-Uncomfortable clothing
-Poor hygiene

-An injury or wound near the belly button
-Constant touching of the belly button 
-Bad hygiene habits
-Surgery on the belly button
-Diabetes
-Sebaceous Cysts
Exposure to harmful UV sun rays

Signs and Symptoms of Belly Button Infection

Belly button infection signs include:

-Skin turns hot
-Pain in the belly bottom
-Swelling and Inflammation
-Dizziness and nausea
-Bleeding inside the belly button

-Tingling or itching sensation inside the belly button
-Bad smell from the navel
-Yellowish, greenish, or brownish discharge from the belly button

Belly Button Infection Natural Remedies

Salt Water

The saline solution lowers the moisture inside your belly button further spread of infection. Due to the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of salt, it fights off the existing infection, inflammation, and itching.

You Will Need:

a) 1 cup hot water
b) 1 tsp salt water

Steps:

a) Add salt to a cup of warm water and combine it well.
b) Put a few drops of the saline solution in your navel.
c) Do this a few times daily till you get relief.

Warm Compress

A hot compress helps you to get rid of the microbial infections and pain.

You Will Need:

a) A clean washcloth
b) Warm water

Steps:

a) Take a washcloth and soak it in medium to hot water.
b) Squeeze out excess water and put the hot compress directly on your belly button.
c) Wait for a few minutes and repeat as needed.
d) Do this two to three times every day.

Essential Oils

a) Coconut Oil

The medium-chain fatty acids present in coconut oil pose antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents. These agents not only fight the infection-causing microbes but also heal the swelling and inflammation in the belly button.

You Will Need:

a) Coconut oil

Steps:

a) Take the oil on your fingers and apply it directly to the belly button.
b) Wait for some time to let the skin absorb the oil.
c) Do this multiple times every day.

b) Tea Tree Oil

Antibacterial and antifungal agents in the tea tree oil kill the infection-causing microbes. The anti-inflammatory provides relief from the swelling, pain, and itching.

You Will Need:

a) 1 tsp coconut oil
b) 3 drops of tea tree oil

Steps:

a) Add a few drops of tea tree oil to coconut oil and combine it well.

b) Apply this mix to the belly button.
c) Then wait for about 20 minutes and wipe it off.
d) Do it three times every day for fast recovery.

c) Peppermint Oil

The calming agents present in the peppermint oil relieve you from belly button inflammation. The antimicrobial properties help to remove the microbes causing the infection.

You Will Need:

a) 1 tsp coconut oil
b) 2 to 3 drops of peppermint oil

Steps:

a) Combine coconut oil with peppermint oil.

b) Apply this mixture to your belly button and wait for 15 minutes.
c) Wipe it off with a tissue paper.
d) Do this three times daily.

Garlic

When you eat garlic in a small amount with a meal, the antimicrobial substances in it fight off the infection well. Juice of nine entire garlic bulbs in a day is sufficient to cure belly button infection.

Tip 1:

You Will Need:

a) Garlic Cloves

Steps:

a) Crush the garlic and extract the juice out of a bulb. 
b) Apply this to the affected area.

Tip 2:

You Will Need:

a) Garlic bulbs

Steps:

a) Mash the garlic bulbs and add them to the clean jar containing 1/4 cup of hot oil.
b) Wait to infuse it the entire night and use it the next day.

White Vinegar

Acetic acid and antiseptic properties in the vinegar fight off the infection-causing microbes. Even natural disinfectant agents also treat the belly button infection.

You Will Need:

a) Cotton pads
b) 1 tbsp white vinegar
c) 2 tbsp water

Steps:

a) Combine water with the white vinegar.
b) Soak the coconut pads in this blend and apply this directly to the affected skin.
c) Wait for 20 minutes and wash it off with water.
d) Do it three times daily.

Aloe Vera

The healing nature of the gel of aloe vera includes more than 200 ingredients which are useful in treating different diseases. These properties help to heal the belly button infection and get you significant relief from the inflammation fast.

You Will Need:

a) Aloe vera gel

Steps:

a) Squeeze out the aloe vera gel, and then apply it to the affected skin area.
b) Wait for nearly 20 minutes and then rinse it with water.
c) Do it three times every day.

Turmeric

Turmeric is another excellent remedy to treat belly button infections. Curcumin contains potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It can also boost healing and also lower the swelling, inflammation, and itching caused by the infection in the belly button.

You Will Need:

a) Water (as needed)
b) 1 tsp turmeric powder

Steps:

a) Take turmeric and add sufficient water to it to form a thick paste.
b) Apply this paste directly to your belly button.
c) Let it dry for some time and then wash it off with clean water.
d) Do this at least one time and that too every day.

Indian Lilac Leaves

Neem is a wonderful tree that treats a lot of ailments. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents speed up healing and also give quick relief from the itching and pain in the belly button.

You Will Need:

a) A handful of Indian lilac leaves
b) Pinch of turmeric
c) Water

Steps:

a) Take neem leaves and crush them with water to make a smooth paste.
b) You can also add turmeric powder to it.
c) Apply this paste to the infected belly button and wait for 20 minutes till it dries thoroughly.

d) Rinse it off with water.
e) Do it 1 to 2 times daily.

Herbal Oil Recipe

Herbal oil helps to cure skin infections fast. You can purchase the items listed in the recipe in the powder form. 

Note: Fresh garlic is more potent in comparison to the dried. Plus you can also replace the non-greasy oil such as hemp seed, wheat germ, argan, or jojoba oil.

You Will Need:

a) 1 quart Olive oil 
b) 1 ounce Acacia 
c) 1-ounce Garlic
d) 1 ounce Echinacea 
e) 1 ounce Usnea
f) 1 ounce Sage 

Steps:

a) Add oil to the oven-safe container.
b) Add all the herbs in it and heat it overnight in an oven (set to nearly 150 to 200 F).
c) Cool it well and then filter the oil via fine cloth.
d) Store it in a sealed glass container.