What is umbilical granulomas?

An umbilical granuloma is a small, red bump of tissue that can form in a newborn's belly button during the first few weeks after birth. Many children will develop a granuloma and have no problems. However, some umbilical granulomas can become infected. In rare cases, painful umbilical granulomas can also form in adults. Here's what you need to know about how they can affect your health.

Causes of umbilical granuloma

Umbilical granulomas are a type of scar tissue that forms around the navel. Most umbilical granulomas form when the umbilicus heals after the cord has fallen off. They look like little red bumps on your baby's belly button. Unlike the rest of their skin, the granuloma will be slightly shiny and covered in a clear discharge.

After cutting the umbilical cord, a small stump remains on the child's stomach. As a rule, the stump falls off on its own and heals without problems. However, in rare cases, an umbilical granuloma is formed at the site of the falling off of the stump. Only about 1 in 500 children develop an umbilical granuloma.

Rarely, adults may develop an umbilical granuloma. These punches are caused by an injury to the intimidation button. One of the most common causes of umbilical granuloma in adults is a navel piercing. While granulomas are painless in children, they can be painful in adults.

Health effects of umbilical granulomas

Granulomas are relatively minor complications. However, they require treatment, as they do not go away on their own. Most granulomas will continue to grow slowly until they are treated. These masses can easily become infected.

An infected granuloma is a serious health problem. Since the granulomas are associated with the umbilical opening, the infection can spread quickly. If you think your child has an infected granuloma, contact your doctor immediately to prevent the infection from getting worse.

Treatment of umbilical granuloma

In most cases, the treatment of granulomas is simple. Your child's pediatrician will likely be able to treat and remove the tumor in their office. Treatment for granuloma includes:

Silver nitrate: Infantile umbilical granulomas do not have nerve endings, so they can be treated with a small amount of silver nitrate. The doctor will place silver nitrate on the granuloma and he will burn the tissue. In the process, the baby will not feel pain. Adults may need a local anesthetic to numb the area before the same treatment.
Liquid nitrogen: if silver nitrate is not suitable, liquid nitrogen can also be used. The liquid is very cold and immediately freezes the mass. After freezing, the granuloma tissue dissolves.
Suture thread ties: In some cases, the doctor may tie the granuloma with sutures. This cuts off blood flow to the mass. Over time, it will dry out and wrinkle until it disappears.
Salt: Another way to dry out the granuloma is to use salt. Since the granulomas are covered with clear mucus, the salt dries them out and causes them to shrivel. Your doctor will tell you how to safely apply salt to the granuloma.
Surgery: In rare cases, surgical removal of an umbilical granuloma may be required. This is most common in infected granulomas, as surgical removal is the fastest treatment. If your child's granuloma is infected, surgery will help stop the infection from spreading and help your child recover faster.

Prevention of umbilical granuloma infection

Since granulomas are a type of scar tissue, they are difficult to prevent. However, if your child has developed a granuloma, infections can often be prevented.

The best way to prevent infection is to protect the baby's navel and keep it clean. Gently wash the affected area with warm soapy water to prevent drainage and bacteria buildup. Your child's doctor may have other recommendations. Always follow their instructions for caring for your baby's belly button.

When to go to the doctor

All granulomas should be treated by a doctor. However, if a granuloma becomes infected, it must be treated immediately. Your child may need antibiotics to prevent the infection from getting worse. Signs that your child needs to see a doctor right away include: