Umbilical granuloma (1880)

Key points below

What is an umbilical granuloma?

An umbilical granuloma is new tissue that grows in or around the belly button after the cord dries and falls off. The cause is not known. The area of the umbilical stump gets red, moist and swollen during the healing process. This can cause granuloma to form. The granuloma tissue has no feeling. It may bleed or ooze for several months if not treated.

How is it treated?

A granuloma is treated with silver nitrate.
It often takes more than one treatment.
There are other treatments that your doctor may use.

Special information

The silver nitrate can cause a dark stain on any skin it touches. The dark color will go away, but it may take up to a week.
Rarely, silver nitrate may cause the skin to burn and be red. There may be a mild skin injury. This will heal.
Any extra silver nitrate gets wiped off the skin when it is applied. This helps prevent injury.
The size of the granuloma and the nearby skin should be checked daily while it is healing.
There are more serious conditions that look similar to an umbilical granuloma. The doctor will be able to tell the difference.

For more health and wellness information check out this resource: https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if:

The normal skin around the belly button is open, red or starts peeling.
The granuloma does not shrink in size.
Your child’s special health care needs were not covered by this information.