Belly Button Discharge

The belly button or navel, or more technically the umbilicus, is basically a scar left over form childbirth. This site of the former connection between mother and fetus holds much fascination. Children find belly buttons funny, men and women both can find them sexy. Some people are inclined to pierce them with various adornments. But occasionally the simple innocuous belly button can be the site of an embarrassing, often unpleasant smelling discharge.

Any bleeding or discharge from within the belly button is almost always a sign of an infection. It is most likely a fungal infection. The belly button can be a dark moist, warm place, the ideal breeding ground for fungi. The most likely culprit for a fungal infection of the navel causing an unpleasant discharge is candida. But other fungi love belly buttons too. Yeast infections can also be the cause. Bacteria, like their other microbial cousins, like dark moist places, and a bacterial infection can also be the cause of a belly button discharge. A fungal infection in or around the belly button will be red and itchy similar to athletes foot. If you scratch it you can crate open wounds, this can be the source of any bleeding. The open sores caused by scratching also afford the opportunity for a secondary bacterial infection, which could account for a yellowish and smelly discharge.

Can the Discharge be Anything Serious?

While it is most likely that your belly button discharge is being caused by a fungal or bacterial infection, there is a rare condition called a urachal cyst. In the unborn fetus there is a duct above the bladder connected to the umbilical cord, it serves a purpose in the developing fetus, but closes up prior to birth. In some rare circumstances it does not close, and it swells later in life or a cyst develops within it causing it to open. Mucus and sometimes urine can leak through the now opened duct, out through the navel, and this can account for a discharge. The condition is rare, and it can be corrected surgically.

Less rare and less serious a smelly discharge from the navel could be due to a benign or sebaceous cyst. The cyst itself is no cause for alarm, and the discharge again is an indication that the cyst has become infected probably due to scratching or some other abrasion. The resulting treatment would be the same as for any of the other infections described. Your physician should examine any discharge from the navel, so that it can be diagnosed and treated correctly.

Treatment

Again the cause of most belly button discharges is almost always, fungal yeast, or bacterial infections. Once properly diagnosed a course of treatment including topical and/or oral antibiotics or other anti-microbials will be prescribed.

Do's and Don'ts

• Do try to prevent belly button infections, especially if you have a pierced naval by washing the area thoroughly everyday with an anti-bacterial soap.
• Do not pick at any scabs or scratch the belly button
• Do not apply antiseptic creams or powders, this can only cause more irritation. If discharge is already present wash the area gently with warm salt water.
• Do see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

More Info

For more information about fungal infections of the skin and how to treat them take a look at at our article on Thrush.