My 2.5 year old son has been scratching at his belly button and it's all raw and red now which makes him scratch it even more. I've noticed him doing it in his sleep and just randomly when he's doing other things. This morning he said his stomach hurt as he scratched his belly button so I'm thinking he meant his belly button hurt from being so raw. How do I get him to stop so it heals?? Thanks!
My daughter totally did this when she was about 20 months old. She did it almost absentmindedly. We ended up going for the "multiple barriers" method (band aid, tuck shirt in/full length pjs, extra shirt on top). Even if she wasn't scratching at it, she was touching it or rubbing it. We also gave her a "substitute" to rub/scratch.
Put some ointment on it to help it heal, and try to keep him away from it. :) Easier said than done, I know.
One of the little boys in our family did this, mom started putting band-aids on it. I'd start with some Neosporin under the band-aids at first as it's raw and then move to just the band-aid. She also kept his nails clipped so he couldn't scratch, and after a few months he wasn't trying to do it anymore so she was able to stop using the band-aids.
Get him to wear bib overalls to help break the habit.
Hi Sally,
So sorry...
One thing to check for. If he is itching only at nite, check if he has worms. Last year our LO complained of tummy hurting only at nite...it turned out to be worms.
If not and I hope it is not....to stop the itching...keep it moisturized. also try weleda nappy rash cream. it has calendula and stops itching.
Good luck,
jilly
My son did this at that age, and it turned into impetigo and needed a bacterial cream to heal. Watch him like a hawk and keep it covered at all times. I had to buy gauze and paper tape to keep it covered and it worked like a charm - he couldn't get it off. He pulled the bandaids off.
Good luck - it is SO frustrating. Boys like to pick and touch EVERYTHING on their bodies. :)
Put some hydrocortisone OINTMENT on it, which will moisturize the area, and help with the itching... it's safe to use on toddlers, my son is prescribed it by his ped for mild flares of eczema...
Note, hydrocortisone cream stings, but the ointment doesn't...
Put some good powder in it after bath time, like Gold Bond or something with corn starch. It may be a yeast infection. Keeping it dry will heal it, not keeping it lubed up with anti-biotic ointment or something like that unless the powder doesn't work.
I'm sure you check this but be sure you get the naval clean when you bath him. Some kids have areas harder to clean and that can make them itch. Just a thought. It might not be that at all but a habit of scratching it. Neosporin is what I'd use.
