Pediatrician Questions Belly Button Pain

What would make a child's navel sore?

My daughter is 8, and last week she started complaining of a sore navel. What can be the cause?

2 Answers

The most common cause of navel soreness is due to "playing" with it. Children like to explore and stick things into body openings. It takes some resulting discomfort for them to learn that this is not a good idea usually.

Mark R. Corkins, M.D.
Have her pants been too tight? Is there redness or an abrasion in the navel? Is it red around the navel? Make sure there is not a tick embedded in the navel. Try some triple antibiotic ointment, and if no better in 2 days, get it checked.