What are the symptoms of an infection in your belly button?

Belly buttons that are crusted, inflamed, or itchy may be infected.
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Infected belly button symptoms
  • Red, itchy skin around the navel.
  • Foul smells.
  • Swelling.
  • Yellow, green, or dark-colored discharge.
  • Persistent pain, particularly around a piercing.
  • Blistering around the navel or piercing.


Can belly button infections be 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.

Can a belly button infection go away on its own?

Belly button yeast infections often get better on their own when you keep your navel area clean and dry. Healthy people can usually treat belly button yeast infections with an antifungal medication.


How do you treat an infected belly button?

To treat an infection

Keep the skin of your belly button clean and dry. Use an antifungal powder or cream to clear up a yeast infection. For a bacterial infection, your doctor might recommend using an antibiotic ointment. Some infections may require oral antibiotic treatment, incision and drainage of the cyst, or both.

What does a belly button 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.


What's Inside Your Belly Button?



What causes a belly button to get infected?

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.

Is an infected belly button 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.

What is the best home remedy for belly button infection?

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.


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.

When should I go to the doctor for an infected belly button?

If you develop redness, swelling, pain, or discharge, your belly button could be infected. This is especially likely if you have a navel piercing. In this case, you may require antibiotics or other treatment and should visit UPMC Urgent Care right away.

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 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.

Can belly button bacteria Make You Sick?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. The belly button is a place where germs can become trapped and multiply. Too many germs in the belly button can cause an infection, which may lead to discharge through the skin.

What kills bacteria in belly button?

If you have a bacterial infection, Dr. 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.


Why is my belly button hurting?

Common causes for pain around your belly button include indigestion, constipation, and umbilical hernias. Other, more serious causes include appendicitis, gallstones, and pancreatitis. Contact a medical professional for belly button pain that persists, is severe, or occurs with other symptoms.

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.

Does infected belly button hurt?

Infections can cause bellybutton pain and pain throughout the abdomen. Doctors can treat bacterial stomach infections with antibiotics. Once antibiotics start working, bellybutton pain, abdominal pain, and other symptoms will typically resolve.


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.

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.

What problems can you have with your belly button?

Things That Can Go Wrong With Your Belly Button
  • Sebaceous Cyst. 1/13. It's a lump under the skin that grows slowly and moves when you touch it. ...
  • Umbilical Hernia. 2/13. ...
  • Urachus. 3/13. ...
  • Urachal Cyst. 4/13. ...
  • Umbilical Granuloma. 5/13. ...
  • Bacterial Infection. 6/13. ...
  • Candidiasis. 7/13. ...
  • Omphalocele. 8/13.


What's inside behind your belly button?

This part of your abdomen is referred to as the umbilical region. It contains parts of your stomach, small and large intestine, and your pancreas.

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 is the power of the belly button?

The navel plays the most important role in development of the body from the very beginning of life even at the embryonic stage. It balances all forces and is the centre of physical gravity while sitting, standing, walking, running or in any other posture.


What bacteria is found in 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 cancers cause belly button pain?

Stomach pain: Abdominal pain or discomfort above the navel may be a sign of a stomach tumor. Swelling and fluid build up in the abdomen also can be caused by stomach cancer.