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Dirt, bacteria, fungus, and germs can get trapped inside your belly button and start to multiply, which can cause an infection. If you develop a belly button infection, you might notice white, yellow, brown, or bloody discharge seeping out of it. That discharge might also have an unpleasant smell.
Is belly button infection serious?
Bacterial Infection If you think you have an infection in your belly button, you should call your doctor so that you can have the area cleaned carefully. You may also need prescription antibiotics to kill the bacteria before it spread to other parts of your body.
When should I be worried about my belly button infection?
If your belly button is “leaking” clear or colored discharge or blood, you may have a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection. Crusty skin, strong odor, itching, and redness are also signs of infection. If discharge and crust stick around after you wash your belly button, you should see your doctor.
How do you heal an infected belly button naturally?
For an infection Remove the jewelry. Soak a cotton ball in a mixture of antimicrobial soap and warm water, and gently wash your belly button with it. Try to keep the area clean and dry at all times. Avoid wearing tight clothing because it can irritate the affected area.
What happens if your belly button gets infected?
Bacteria can infect a wound or a cyst on your belly button or behind it. You could have pain, swelling, and pus or liquid that leaks from your navel. Your doctor might give you antibiotics or drain any built-up fluid. If another health problem caused it, you may get surgery to stop it from happening again.
Why is my belly button red and stinky?
If you have a combination of foul smell and discharge, it could be a sign of: A fungal infection or yeast infection of the belly button. A bacterial infection of the belly button. A wound or bruise around or within the belly button.
How should I clean my belly button?
Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and gently rub the surfaces inside your bellybutton. If the swab gets dirty, throw it away and start a new one. Once the cotton swab comes out clean, use a fresh one dipped in water to rinse the alcohol out of your bellybutton so it doesn’t dry your skin.
Are belly button infections common?
Fast facts on belly button discharge: Infections are the most common cause of belly button discharge. People who have recently had abdominal surgery may be at risk. Cysts are another cause of belly button discharge.
What does it mean if your belly button smells like poop?
The most common cause for a belly button smell is poor hygiene. All areas of the body need to be washed regularly to stay clean and healthy. Skin is home to trillions of bacteria, which develop naturally and are usually harmless. The belly button has folds of skin that provide a place for bacteria to grow.
How do you make your belly button stop hurting?
Belly button pain treatment options Antibiotics or infectious causes: You may be prescribed antibiotics that rid the body of harmful bacteria. Anti-inflammatory medications: If your symptoms are due to autoimmune conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, your physician may prescribe antibiotics or steroid creams.
How long do belly button infections last?
Infections are usually minor. Symptoms can include pain, redness, and swelling, and improving hygiene can help. Complete healing can take 9–12 months.
What does a belly button hernia look like?
An umbilical hernia looks like a lump in the navel. It might become more obvious when the infant is laughing, crying, going to the toilet, or coughing. When the child is lying down or relaxed, the lump may shrink or go away completely.
Are belly button bugs real?
Belly button bugs A person’s belly button contains hundreds of bacterial species. The belly button is rarely well-washed and is a cosy place for these bacteria to settle.
Will a belly button infection go away on its own?
Your outlook depends on the cause of the odor. You can quickly resolve hygiene conditions by washing your belly button every day. With proper treatment, an infection should clear up within a few days. Here are more tips for managing body odor.
Can your belly button open?
No! The belly button is kind of like a scar. You can’t reopen your belly button. Depending on how the scar tissue forms will decide whether you have an innie or an outie!.
Can you use hydrogen peroxide to clean your belly button?
Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, you can use water, a saltwater solution, or hydrogen peroxide to clean your belly button. Dip one side of a cotton swab into a cleansing agent and gently wipe your belly button.
What does it mean when your belly button hurts?
Bloating and pain near the belly button can also be indicative of an ulcer. The most common causes of ulcers are infections and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen over a long period of time. If you have an ulcer, you may experience: a dull pain near your belly button.
Can you get a staph infection in your belly button?
It’s possible to get a bacterial infection like staph in your belly button because that’s just what your body decides to do that day, but getting a navel piercing is a big risk factor, Dr. Lipoff says. “[It’s] the most common reason I’ve seen an infection in a belly button,” he says.
