Umbilical granuloma in 3 week old?

[Victoria111]

Hi All,

My 3week old’s umbilical stump fell off very early at 4 days, and since it’s healed has been left with what looks exactly like an umbilical granuloma? I’ve attached a picture- anyone else have any experience with this?

I’m living abroad but our docs here can potentially use silver nitrate on the belly button but I’ve heard this is quite harsh & given the pandemic I would prefer not to take him in unless essential. The NHS recommends the gentle at-home salt method to treat these however. Has anyone tried this on a baby this young?

Thanks so much!

I love the salt method. Since it came in, I don't recall when I last had to use the silver nitrate sticks. These days, I'd prefer to try the salt trick, and only go to silver nitrate if it didn't work.

My son had this also, and I filled with salt, stuck a plaster over it for a couple of days (if I remember rightly) and it went on it's own. He didn't even notice.

Thanks nocoolnamesleft! Are you a health professional? Do you think 3 weeks is too young to try the salt method at home? :)

Brilliant- thanks Raspberry. How old was your son when you tried it?

Victoria11 - clearly you have no way to check who I am, but yes, I'm a paediatrician. And yes, I'd happily use salt at home at that age.

I honestly can't remember, but he can't have been more than a few weeks old. I heard about it from a friend and actually didn't think it would work but also thought it wouldn't do any harm if it didn't work and didn't want the silver nitrate as a few Nct friends had had that done to themselves and said it hurt like hell. Had I read it on the nhs website I'd have had more confidence in it.