How do you get a bacterial infection in your belly button?

Like other areas of your body, your navel naturally contains bacteria and fungi. If you don't clean your belly button regularly and the circumstances are just right, microorganisms can proliferate and cause an infection, Edidiong Kaminska, M.D., a dermatologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, tells SELF.

Are belly button infections serious?

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.

What causes bacterial infection in belly button?

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.

How do I know if I have a bacterial infection in my belly button?

What does an infected belly button indicate?

A belly button yeast infection is a fungal skin infection caused by a yeast called Candida. It causes a bright red, itchy rash in your navel area. Candida grow and thrive in warm, dark environments. Treatment includes creams, ointment or powders.

What's Inside Your Belly Button?

Can belly button bacteria Make You Sick?

Like other areas of your body, your navel naturally contains bacteria and fungi. If you don't clean your belly button regularly and the circumstances are just right, microorganisms can proliferate and cause an infection, Edidiong Kaminska, M.D., a dermatologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, tells SELF.

How do you heal a belly button infection fast?

Other bacterial infections are often treatable by rinsing the area with warm saline water. Make sure you dry the area thoroughly after rinsing it. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotic creams that you apply directly to the infected area. They may prescribes oral antibiotics if your infection is severe.

What antibiotics treat belly button infection?

Bacterial infection

Sometimes an infection in your belly button can result in a brownish or yellowish discharge. Treatment: Your doctor might prescribe antibiotics such as penicillin or cephalosporin (Keflex).

What kind of bacteria grows in your belly button?

The most common skin bacteria encountered on participants in the Belly Button Biodiversity Project belonged to the groups Staphylococci, Corynebacteria, Actinobacteria, Clostridiales, and Bacilli.

Is belly button discharge serious?

If you notice belly button discharge, chances are you have an infection. But other things, such as cysts and poor hygiene, can also cause your belly button to leak fluid.

What does it mean if your belly button is wet and smells?

Summary. When your belly button smells, it is usually because of a hygiene need or infection. The belly button contains several tiny skin folds that can trap sweat, dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Possible infections include candidiasis, bacterial infections, or an infected urachal cyst.

What does your belly button say about your health?

Belly buttons are essentially an anatomical wildcard. They're a scarred area in the abdominal wall where your umbilical cord once was. Having an innie or outie doesn't mean anything for your health.

How long does an infected navel take to heal?

Symptoms can include pain, redness, and swelling, and improving hygiene can help. Complete healing can take 9–12 months.

What happens if you don't clean your belly button?

Even if you don't develop a yeast infection, the accumulation of sweat, dirt, dead skin cells, and lint can cause your bellybutton to smell. Omphaloliths. As dead skin cells and sebum — the oil secreted by your skin — accumulate in your bellybutton, they can form an omphalolith over time.

How do you clean a deep belly button?

There's no trick to it—it's really just like cleaning any other part of your normal skin. Lather up your washcloth, sponge, or loofah and gently scrub your belly button. Dry off the area and follow up your belly button cleaning with a lotion or body oil to keep the skin soft, supple, and smelling good!

Can your belly button get infected if you clean it?

Read more about our vetting process. The belly button is home to many bacteria but can be overlooked when a person washes. Mostly, the bacteria are harmless, but they can multiply and cause an infection. We find out what might cause a belly button to smell, and how to keep it clean and healthy.

Why shouldn't you touch your belly button?

Keep your hands off your belly button

“The belly button harbors a high population of bacteria,” Dr. Richardson says. “It is largely inaccessible, so it remains dirty even after showering.” The shape of your navel makes it easy to collect dirt, which can even cause a strong smell. Dr.

What organ is directly behind the belly button?

Located directly behind the stomach, the pancreas lies deep in the center of the abdomen. Its position corresponds to an area 3-6 inches above the “belly button”, straight back on the back wall of the abdominal cavity.

What organ is connected to the belly button?

Internally the veins and arteries in the cord close up and form ligaments, which are tough connective tissues. These ligaments divide up the liver into sections and remain attached to the inside of the belly button.

How do you know if you have a yeast infection in your belly button?

Navel fungal infections cause a rash like symptom that's red, itchy and may resemble eczema. The navel may also become red in general and feel quite sore. Skin fungal infections are also like dandruff and skin psoriasis diseases as scaly skin flakes may accompany them.

How can I make my belly button smell good?

Zubritsky suggests cleansing your belly button with antibacterial soap. Make sure that your belly button is completely dry after to prevent a yeast infection. Washing with benzoyl peroxide is another great way to kill any odor-causing bacteria.

What color should belly button discharge be?

Usually, the belly button discharge will be a pale white, off-yellow, or light green color, and will kind of look like snot does when you have a cold. It may also give off an unpleasant, sour smell, which is another sign of infection.

How do I stop my belly button from discharging?

Share on Pinterest Antibiotic and antifungal ointments or creams may be used to treat belly button discharge. Bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotic ointments or creams. Fungal or yeast infections are also typically treated with antifungal powders or creams.

Can diabetes cause belly button discharge?

If there is an unpleasant smell and pus like substance excreting from the belly button, you may have a bacterial infection. Diabetes and high blood sugar can also directly affect ones belly button condition. Diabetic patients are prone to infections, and the disease may also prevent rapid healing of infections.

Why is my belly button wet and smelly and bleeding?

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.