belly button/betadine

[Kitt3n]

I posted a while ago about little laa's belly button.... well it still hasnt healed.

Doctor told me to use a dilution of peroxide to heal it up. He also told me she l=no longer has thrush (when you can plainly see it and I am haing the shooting pains in my breasts) so, I went to the pharmacist for a second opinon on both.

She still has thrugh, and the pharmacist told me to use betadine, not peroxide on her little belly.

Well I just did and it made her absolutely SCREAM. I feel so awful, should it hurt her like that?

[angelaartsstudent]

If there is infection, the betadine will hurt, yes. I remember it killing on things like broken flesh and blisters as a kid.

I was always told that the pain means it is killing the germs in the wound but I don't know how true that is!

You could always dilute the betadine a bit if you like - just in a bit of water.

[Kitt3n]

thanks hun........i have never used it. So if there is an infection do you know if it would be ok to use on such a tender little area?

[aimz78]

hey kitten,
our dd had a small granuloma which took ages to heal, could it be a granuloma?. the doctor (Paed) used silver nitrate to help it heal. Im not sure but i would double check the betadine thing, I thought they did not use betadine for wounds anymore. I hope it gets better soon. x

[Kitt3n]

thanks aimz, I thought that was what my doc would have done... but he said peroxide... i have lost faith in my doc now, need a new one!

[angelaartsstudent]

Peroxide is very hard core stuff. If used without dilution it will burn the skin. Personally I wouldn't use peroxide on a baby ever!

Peroxide is main ingredient for acne creams - it's used to dry things out.

So maybe if you wanted to go down the path of using nothing at all you could attempt to keep the area majorly dry...not sure how this would work though. Maybe a waterproof cover like the ones for wounds at the chemist?

[Kitt3n]

well, as she is 9 weeks now i would think it should be healed by now.

i have kept it as dry as possible.

might have to try a different doctor.......

[Rivlas]

Yes, betadine went out of fashion for a while but its now back on the 'good' list.

Water down the betadine and it should be fine. Make up a small amount and every time you change her nappy give it a wipe. Be careful as it can stain if you spill it. You can also add it to the bath water, just be careful when you wash her face.

I use it all the time for wounds as I find it really clears them up.

What does your MCN say?