Does pressing on an umbilical hernia hurt?

Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
Updated on February 19, 2025
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Umbilical hernias often occur because there is a weak spot near the navel and a defect in the abdominal wall, allowing abdominal contents to protrude through this weak spot and form a lump on the surface. If the hernia is not strangulated, the contents can be reduced when the patient lies flat, causing no obvious symptoms. However, if the protruding contents cannot be reduced, there may be strangulation or the hernial ring may be too small. Pressing on the protruding lump at this time may cause pain. This pain generally becomes more pronounced the longer the protrusion persists. Of course, if the hernia is completely strangulated, causing circulatory problems, the pain may significantly decrease, but this does not indicate an improvement in condition. Therefore, if an umbilical hernia becomes painful upon pressing, surgical treatment should be considered to avoid complications.

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Written by Liu Li
Pediatrics
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How to relieve pain from baby's umbilical hernia?

If the child exhibits symptoms of umbilical hernia pain, this condition can be treated conservatively. Normally, after birth, babies will experience minor umbilical hernias, which are a normal physiological reaction and do not require treatment. Generally, by the time the child reaches about two years old, the umbilical hernia will gradually resolve on its own. It is also essential to ensure that the child remains emotionally stable and does not frequently cry. If the hernia has not fully resolved after the age of two, some reparative methods should be used for treatment.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Is hot compress useful for umbilical hernia?

In cases of umbilical hernia, applying heat generally has no effect. For infants, it is often acceptable to observe conservatively until the child is about two years old. Adhesive tape therapy can be used in this period. By the age of two, the umbilical ring in most children will close on its own. For those over two years old with an umbilical ring diameter still greater than 1.5 cm, surgery should be considered. For patients over five years old, it is generally recommended to undergo surgery sooner rather than later. In adults, the causes of umbilical hernias are mainly due to factors such as pregnancy, excessive fat in the greater omentum, chronic coughing, cirrhosis with ascites, etc., which increase abdominal pressure. Incarceration can occur, involving either the greater omentum or the small intestine, and surgery is usually the chosen treatment method, either through traditional tissue repair techniques or open tension-free hernia repair. In some cases, laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair may be chosen when necessary.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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Is it normal for a baby to have an umbilical hernia with a belly button sound?

Infant umbilical hernia is caused by a congenitally weak abdominal wall around the navel, allowing organs within the abdominal cavity, such as intestines, to protrude through the hernia spot. If bowel sounds are enhanced, one might hear noises from the belly button. This is usually not concerning as long as there is no incarceration. Generally, it is important to avoid causing the child to cry intensely for long periods and to actively treat and prevent gastrointestinal diseases to avoid excessive abdominal pressure that can lead to frequent protrusions from the navel. Most umbilical hernias will gradually close and heal before the age of two as the child grows and their physique develops. Only a small portion of children with a large hernia ring diameter, such as more than two centimeters, or children who still have a noticeable umbilical hernia after the age of two, might require surgical intervention for treatment.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Can an umbilical hernia heal itself?

Umbilical hernia has the potential to heal on its own, but it requires conservative treatment methods to be adopted. Generally, children under the age of two can undergo conservative observational treatment, such as using adhesive tape, as the umbilical ring in most cases can close by itself between the ages of 1 and 2. However, if the child is over two years old and the diameter of the umbilical ring still exceeds 1.5 cm, choosing surgical treatment is a wise decision. For patients over the age of five, it is recommended to undergo surgery as early as possible regardless of the situation, as the chances of incarceration or strangulation can increase after the age of five. Generally, surgical intervention is required for a cure. Options include traditional tissue suture repair methods or open umbilical hernia tension-free repair.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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Can you take a bath with an umbilical hernia?

Umbilical hernia is primarily due to the weak abdominal wall at the navel, allowing abdominal contents to pass through and protrude at the surface, forming a lump. In children under two years old, if the umbilical hernia does not cause incarceration or significant redness and swelling on the skin's surface, bathing is generally not affected. In adults, umbilical hernias usually do not heal on their own and often require surgical treatment, otherwise, the hernia tends to enlarge. As long as the umbilical hernia does not cause significant incarceration requiring emergency surgery, or local inflammatory skin reactions, it does not affect the patient's ability to bathe. Even if surgery is necessary for an umbilical hernia, it is considered an elective procedure.