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). Keep your belly button clean and dry.

Will antibiotics help belly button infection?

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.

What is the best antibiotic ointment for belly button infection?

If any pus is present, use an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin. No prescription is needed. Put a tiny amount on the navel. Do this 2 times per day after the area has been cleaned with warm water.

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

Dip your finger or a soft washcloth in a solution of saltwater (about a teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water) and gently massage the inside of your navel. This should loosen stubborn germs that can cause odor. Then rinse with plain water and pat it dry.

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.

How do you treat an infected belly button?

Why is my belly button suddenly infected?

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 long does a belly button bacterial infection last?

How long does a belly button yeast infection last? Your belly button yeast infection should start to clear up within two weeks of starting an antifungal treatment.

Are belly button infections common?

Infection of the belly button (omphalitis) most commonly occurs in newborn babies. Adults can get an infection of the navel (umbilicus) but it's uncommon. There are many reasons your belly button may become red, swollen or have discharge, and it may not be a skin issue.

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.

Can you clean your belly button with peroxide?

Cleaning 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.

Can you put Neosporin in belly button?

If the cord smells bad or seems infected, you can smear a little antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin®) around and on the base of the cord. You can clean the cord as often as needed, perhaps 3 or 4 times a day.

Is a belly button infection urgent?

Definition. Bacterial infection of the umbilical stump with spread to the skin around it. It's a medical emergency.

What is staph infection in belly button?

Lipoff says, the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus is often behind belly button infections because it tends to cause many skin infections in general. A staph infection can manifest in a number of ways, including as a highly contagious condition called impetigo, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

How does bacteria get in your belly button?

Most belly buttons are indented so act as a trap for sweat, dead skin, and dirt. Few people wash the belly button with soap so germs can develop. The most common cause for a belly button smell is poor hygiene.

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.

What does a navel infection look like?

What Does A Navel Fungal Infection Look Like? 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 often should you clean infected belly button?

But just like the rest of your body, they need to be cleaned. In fact, a 2012 study found that 67 different types of bacteria are in the average bellybutton. Most bellybuttons have crevices that can collect dirt and breed bacteria. Aim to clean yours about once a week.

What does a staph infection look like when it starts?

Staph skin infections, including MRSA , generally start as swollen, painful red bumps that might look like pimples or spider bites. The affected area might be: Warm to the touch. Full of pus or other drainage.

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.

Are you supposed to clean the inside of your belly button?

Your belly button should be cleaned just like all the other parts of the body; otherwise, the area can develop gnarly smells and infections, often paired with red, itchy, and scabby skin—especially if you have a navel piercing.

Should you clean your belly button with aq tip?

Innie belly buttons need the extra help of a Q-tip to get into all the nook and crannies of the skin. Before going in, swab the Q-tip with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Gently swab the inside of your belly button.

Do dermatologists clean belly buttons?

If there's stubborn belly button buildup that you can't seem to get rid of yourself, a dermatologist or a primary care provider can evaluate the area and use special equipment to remove it.

Are you supposed to clean your belly button in the shower?

Since alcohol can be hard on sensitive skin, some doctors recommend just sticking to soap and water. There's no medical mandate requiring you to clean your belly button with any specific frequency. “I recommend patients clean their navel daily in the shower with gentle soap and water,” dermatologist Dr.