The human body can develop some pretty weird aches and pains. Just when you think you’ve experienced every ache imaginable, something else you never expected will begin to hurt. Take your belly button, for example. It can hurt. This may be for several reasons that range from an infected piercing to an umbilical hernia. But luckily, there are a number of home remedies that could help relieve certain types of belly button pain and itch. However, it should be noted that if the pain is something you are seriously worried about, you should see a doctor. Simply use these remedies as a stopgap measure.
Home Remedies for Belly Button Pain
Many home remedies have been used to treat pain in the belly button and the potential underlying cause of that pain. A number of the following remedies are used for a multiple maladies as well belly button pain treatment.
1. Mild Soap
The main causes of belly button pain are mild inflammation and bacterial and fungal infections. One of the easiest ways to stop the pain is to “clean out” the problem with a mild soap and warm water.
2. Alcohol
Alcohol works as an antiseptic and is great for cleaning infections of different types. Take a little bit of an alcohol and soak a cotton ball in it. Rub the cotton ball over that area and allow it to dry.
3. Cold Compress
Cold compresses may be able to help you with your belly button pain. You can take a cloth, soak it in cold water, and wring it out. Place the cold cloth on the belly button area for a few minutes while lying down. This process can also be used with a cloth filled with ice.
4. Warm Compress
Interestingly, a warm compress may also be able to relieve your belly button pain. Take a cloth and run it under warm or hot water. Wring out the excess water and place the cloth on the belly button area for a few minutes.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has long been used as a natural remedy for many aches and pains due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. There are a couple ways to apply aloe vera to your belly button area. One is to simply get a fresh aloe vera leaf, cut off the tip, and drip the aloe vera juice directly on your belly button area. Leave the juice for 20 minutes or so. Afterward, rinse off the juice and dry the area. You can also take an aloe vera leaf and place it in the fridge for a few hours. Remove the leaf, cut the end, and squeeze out the gel onto the belly button area. Leave the gel for 20 to 25 minutes, clean off, and dry the area. The coldness of the gel may help with added pain relief.
6. Salt Water Rinse
Salt is commonly used to help fight off infections. Take a tablespoon of salt and mix it in a cup of warm water. Soak a cotton ball in the saline solution and run it over the sore area of the belly button area. Repeat this twice a day until the pain and/or infection has disappeared.
7. White Vinegar
White vinegar may be useful for battling inflammation as well as cleaning out pus and discharge caused by infection. It could also help get rid of fungal infections. Make a concoction of one part vinegar and two parts water. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and rub it over the area of the belly button. Leave it for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Repeat this two or three times a day.
8. Tea Tree Oil
An oft-used element of many home remedies, tea tree oil may also be able to help you out with your umbilical pain. This is due to the many antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties of the oil. Place a few drops of tea tree oil on the area that is hurting and leave the tea tree oil for 10 to 15 minutes. This can be repeated three or four times a day.
9. Calendula Flower
Calendula has a number of anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and antiseptic properties that might remedy your belly button pain. Take a few calendula flowers and crush them (a pastel and mortar work well) into juice that can be extracted. Apply the juice to the affected area three times a day.
10. Indian Lilac
The oil of Indian lilac is often used in home remedies because of the anti-fungal and antibacterial qualities it contains. Take a cotton ball, dip it into the Indian lilac oil, and apply to the belly button area. It can also be mixed with turmeric in order to create a paste that can help stop the belly button pain and itching.
11. Turmeric
Turmeric has numerous anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antiseptic properties that have made it a mainstay in many home remedies around the world. And it may be able to get rid of your belly button pain as well. You can mix some turmeric with water or Indian lilac oil in order to make a paste. Apply the paste to your belly button area and leave it for a few minutes, three or four times a day. A mixture of turmeric, honey, and hot milk can be ingested to also help out with your belly button issues.
12. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is often used in home remedies because it has a number of anti-fungal and antibacterial properties as well as a few anti-inflammatory abilities. Clean the belly button area and then apply warm coconut oil to that region.
Depending on what underlying health issue is causing the belly button pain and itching, many of these home remedies might be effective for eliminating your discomfort.
Home Remedies That Can Work!
Within a few sessions, you may find that your belly button pain beginning to disappear or is outright gone. However, if there seems to be no change, it’s best that you go see a doctor as you may need something a little stronger to get rid of whatever is causing your pain.
Sources
Sherwood, C., “Belly Button Pain – Easy to Use Homemade Remedies to Fight Infection,” Home Remedy Shop, August 9, 2016, https://homeremedyshop.com/belly-button-pain/, last accessed May 17, 2017.
“Belly Button Pain,” MDDK Online Medical Doctor, http://mddk.com/belly-button-pain.html, last accessed May 17, 2017.
Saxena, A., “10 Effective Home Remedies To Treat Belly Button Infection,” Remedies and Herbs, http://www.remediesandherbs.com/10-effective-home-remedies-to-treat-belly-button-infection/, last accessed May 17, 2017.