Belly Button Infection - Symptoms and Causes
Our naval being umbilicus by shape happens to be too susceptible to a variety of infections caused either due to bath water, excessive rubbing or using a naval stud. Soap which we use during our bath, passes through our belly button or naval and gets stored there, which, if not cleaned regularly with a proper care, causes a filth in the cavity of naval, paving the way for micro germs breeding there on large scale.
Symptoms Of Belly Buton Infection
Sign of naval and its surrounding areas turning into reddish color, oozing of blood and itching, reveals the belly button infection. It is not common to occur in all, as it generally depends upon the sensitivity of hollowed skin of the people. But it often becomes the cause of a great anxiety when it starts causing pain, spewing unpleasant smell and pus from the naval. It primarily can be noticed by itching and skin around naval getting reddish. Such symptoms require a great care on part of the victim in order to prevent it from expanding further.
The early symptoms exhibit redness and swelling of the area. The affected area becomes warm. If timely not treated, it leads to serious complication discharging greenish, yellowish, or grayish pus. Oozing of blood, and excretion of a white and smelly substance substantiates the infection.
The belly button causes Abscess and Cellulitis. Abscess is a primary stage of infection causing pain, swelling and bleeding while Cellulitis is a serious stage causing excessive discharge of obnoxious liquid from the naval, pain and fever, to be treated only under the supervision of expert doctor.
If the infection seems to have affected entire part of belly, leading to abdominal infection and blood poisoning, then only hospitalization remains the solution.
Causes Of Belly Button Infection
If you want your belly and naval not to get infected, you should know the major causes of belly button infection. Followings are major causes of belly button infection.
- Wearing the jewelery stud of ring around the naval and tattooing your belly.
- Unreasonably touching or rubbing naval.
- Wearing tightened jeans or belt for several hours.
- Carelessness in washing the naval regularly with a great care.
- Piercing of belly skin for decorating the naval.
- Touching and rubbing the belly button with dirty hands.
- Taking bath in polluted waters.
How To Prevent The Infection?
- Do Not Wear Belly Jewelery - It has been seen that maximum number of women feel a great proud of displaying their naval and decorate their naval and belly with naval rings and tattoos respectively. Avoid such practice.
- Wash Daily You Naval With Sterilizer -Just after taking your bath give you belly some time in removing the soap gently from it using sterilized water.
- Avoid Rubbing – It has been found that large number of people including children touch or rub their naval unnecessarily with their fingers. Avoid such types of habits.
- Do Not Use Ointment – On detecting the infection on its primary stage, do not apply any kind of antiseptic ointment over it on your own, as it inhibits the Oxygen over the affected area, which, as a result, darkens the respective portion and affects even the remaining healthy skin leading to newly developed infection.
- Wash your naval daily and allow it to become completely dry before dressing.
Treatment Of Belly Button Infection
If the belly button infection seems to have become incontrollable, discharging the bad smell liquid and causing pain, fever and profuse bleeding, you should consult the doctor immediately without causing delay any more.
I have had 3 operations through my belly button. The second one left me with pain for a year after so when it was time for my 3rd, I asked the doctor to cut just below instead (didn’t care about the scar). After that last surgery, my belly button never completely healed. It would flare up with pain and swelling and then seem to get better. I suspected a hernia and with no insurance or money, just let it be. It had gotten extremely painful so I could no longer wear jeans and upon standing I couldn’t stand up straight for a while, sitting was nearly unbearable and it would wake me up at night and I could only sleep on my back. Suddenly it seemed to release and feel better but then I noticed a terrible smell and saw it had clear fluid coming out. I cleaned it gently and went to bed. It started bleeding in my sleep. I guess about 2 tablespoons in total. Down my side and stomach. I went to the doctor and was told to clean it better and keep it dry. A little offensive as I always do. He gave me an antibiotic and it cleared up for a couple of weeks. I continued to keep it clean yet the pain came back. I saw the Dr. again and he confirmed the skin was dry, clean and not infected. He said there must have been a puncture made during my surgery and body fluids are collecting behind my belly button and festering. The belly button finally opens to duct it out. I’ve been on another antibiotic and still keeping it clean and dry and last night it started to bleed again. My whole abdomen gets swollen, I vomit and have intermittent constipation and explosive diarrhea. Please somebody help me. I’m not sure if my doctor really knows what’s going on.
i have a belly botton infection and pus is come out just a little bit, the specialist gave me Anti-byotics, to cure my belly button so i didnt felt no pain but just pus coming out, how long is my scar is gonna heal?
Hey edgarino!
my freind is sat next to me at the moment and she also has an inflamed navel hole..she feels your pain!
my advice is
1.stop touching-no matter what!!
2. have a smoke
3.stop storing food in there you lil chicmonk!
4.shut up and wait…time after time
5….time after time…
the end, hope you n ur button ole feel up to scratch soon
I saw the Dr. again and he confirmed the skin was dry, clean and not infected. He said there must have been a puncture made during my surgery and body fluids are collecting behind my belly button and festering. The belly button finally opens to duct it out. I’ve been on another antibiotic and still keeping it clean and dry and last night it started to bleed again. My whole abdomen gets swollen, I vomit and have intermittent constipation and explosive diarrhea. Please somebody help me. I’m not sure if my doctor really knows what’s going on.
i cleaned lint out of my belly button with a dirty finger and it got infected.. antibiotics killed the infection but now im experiencing the above apart from the swelling. i feel unwell all the time
You actually may want to be checked for a hernia. But..if you’re infection is spreading, it could cause you to go septic. Which would, in turn cause you to have fever, vomit, diarrhea, etc. Hope this helps!
I have the same thing. My belly button hurt went to see the doctor he said it was a hernia. the pain was unbearable it woke me up at night as well and could only sleep on my back. Then stuff started coming out clear and brownish and it smells really bad but when it does this it doesnt hurt. then it stopped doing that and started to hurt worse this time. the red stop was getting bigger and also there was a lump which i guess is the swelling as round as a golf ball. then now it has tht stuff coming out againa nd does hurt at all but itches like crazy. skin pealed of of it the other day. Then I went to a surgen to talk about the “hernia” like the doctor said and well he said it wasnt a hernia. that he didnt know what to do with me. that it could be just a cyst. but he didnt even seem to sure of what to do. just to keep it clean and come back in 2 weeks. but i dont know if he knows what hes talking about????
I too had blood and puss coming from the belly button after a laparoscopic surgery, and then I was given Antibiotics , infection reduced somewhat but oozing of puss and liquid continued for nearly a month. Then I showed me to a general physician who prescribed a combination of strong antibiotics saying that the one already given to me by the previous doctor had not killed all the bacteria. So please see a doctor, show the first antibiotic taken if you have the name, he or she should prescribe you another stronger antibiotic or a combination of antibiotics. Letting the infection continue could cost your life. Antibiotics are not that expensive.
I’m haveing the same problem except mine has not started bleeding yet but it is big and hard and i hav heat coming off so i would suggest going to a specilist
Stupid question..i had my gallbladder removed laprascopicly 3 weeks ago. everything was fine, a little oozing (which i was told was normal). The past 2 or 3 days i’ve noticed swelling, almost like a bubble/blister and an increase in the oozing (which doesn’t smell or bleed..it’s clear with a yellowish tint). I just wanted to know if you had anything like this happen??
i started doing yoga and after 5-6 days od doing yoga, my abdominal muscle got stretched and it started paining.I applied a pain relief ointment volini over the abdomen and inside the navel.and then next day i saw blood and pus oozing out from navel. we rushed to Max hospita, doctor prescribed me seven days antibiotics, but it didnt heal.then I will have to undergo surgery and i got 4 stiches and my navel was no more.and it was too expensive. I was under pain and was on druga for week-long.
Ive had excessive dry skin in my belly button/slight scabbing my entire life (22 years). Its been looked at and doctors have said nothing. Doesn’t hurt, just flakes at times. I’ve tried everything I could think of to take care of it, but nothing really helps. I’m curious if anyone has had to deal with this as well? Oh well what can ya do, as long as it doesn’t cause me problems i’ll take it with a grain of salt.
mine is dry at the top & red..
idk whyy.
I just woke up this morning and found that my belly button simply *hurt.* I don’t have jewelry, I wash regularly, and I generally avoid that area otherwise. Since it hurt, I looked at it and it is very red and it hurts a lot–burns, rather than itches. I have no idea what it is and am unsure whether or not it is cause for concern.
This just happened to me!! I felt a burning sensation and I touched my stomach there to my knowledge I felt a wet sensation I went in the light and had puss coming out of my belly button!! I dont know what could have caused this, then I looked in my belly button and it is swollen and red with a few sores!! By sudden reaction I washed it out and put polysporin on it, might have been a mistake reading this …..
Sounds exactly like what I’m having Deeg. Did cleaning it up get rid of it or did you have to see a DR?
i have my belly button peirced. but i have a small opening about a cm. down from the bottom hole from my piercing. i looked in my belly button and there is red marking looks like blood but its not. its oozing stuff but there is nothing there to see when cleaned out. smells weird. like infection. if this information will help i was in a pageant saturday july 18th 2009 a few days ago, and we had to duct taped my dress to me. would that have anything to do with it?
How does this information help? You being in a pageant and having to tape your dress has nothing to do with belly infection… I think maybe you just want people to know you were in a pageant!
The duct tape could have caused an iritation of the skin and caused the smell and oozing of pus but i’m not sure it is cause for concern now unless it starts bleeding.
Kate, I don’t think she just wanted people to know she was in a pagent but she does have a reason to be happy about it. So, I wouldn’t have such a negative attitude about it.
I just got my belly button pierced 3 weeks ago and it just started getting infected. Pus has been coming out for a week and now it started to bleed. I am taking very good care of it so i don’t know how it has gotten infected. Now i am starting to get sick.. Ive been having bad headaches and vomiting often. I didn’t go to the doctor yet but i find it so weird how so many people are having the same problems. Does any1 know what is wrong ?
i’ve just had my belly button done and have found nothing wrong with it.
i recently started getting a red stinky belly button. today i noticed my belly button has some sort of discharge and it got crusty. it hurts to clean out and im wondering if i should talk to my doctor and if it is an infection
I got a sore throat last week and had severe back pain. Yesterday I noticed that my belly button has what looks like a sore and my back hurts again. I have no idea why this is. A lot of people around me are sick with the flu but I’m not sure if this is related to anything.
I never really touch my belly button, so I don’t know how or when the sore happened.
I don’t have time to go to the doctor so I’m going to wait it out.
I’ve had this issue happen 3 times so far in my life & learned that it was caused by a fungal infection (I am immuno-compromised due to medications to control systemic lupus, which makes me suceptible to fungal infections.) You should be seen by a doctor to make sure any infection is taken care of & then use a prescribed antifungal cream to clear it up. Some folks may have hernias & if you had laproscopic surgery through your navel, do not dawdle & waste time, go directly to a doctor or hospital to have it looked at. As your navel sits above your intestines & many serious organs, infection can spread to them quickly & cause you to die if you do not get treatment. Insurance or not, no hospital will turn you away, so please be smart & if this is happening to you, go get it checked out & treated.
I had laproscopic surgery in 2004 but have had issues since then. I have had many infections including after the surgery in that site. I was at the doctor again this morning, he has put me on another antibiotic. I have been using untifungal cream for about 6 months twice a day. I am really concerned that his infection will spread but my doc doesn’t seem to concerned. Help Please!!
Hi, I am going thru the same thing. I just had Laproscopic Assisted Vaginal Hesterectomy 9/11/09 and now 2 days ago-I have a really bad infection in my belly button. It is so sore and it hurts soo bad. The only relief I get is to lay flat and then it still hurts but is bearable. How are you doing? My dr. put me on antibiotics and didn’t seem too worried-but this is the worst pain I’ve had-the surgery was a breeze compared to this pain I’m having now.-yet 4 weeks later???? I have a high tolerance for pain-so this must be serious. Let me know how you are. Thanks and have a good day.
Heather
I had the same surgery 3 years ago and i am having the same trouble. It doesnt give me trouble all the time just maybe once a month or so. What does the drs saying to you. Mine just brush me off.
I’ve also had the same surgery in march of this year; and i too am having the same issue; with red puffy bellybutton, now its pussy and nasty. I too try to keep my bellybutton clean; and my first instinct is to clean it with peroxide and put Triple anti ointment on it; however; i have a feeling its not going to fix the issue. I’m not sure what to do either.
I too have had a laproscopic surgery. I had mine back in 1999. And since then, I would say once a month. I get an infection in my belly button. I too run for a q-tip and some peroxide. I am not one to run to the Dr for ANYTHING. Thats what the web is for, right? LOL. But one time when I was in for a check up I had mentioned it. She said to make sure to keep it dry.
I think after reading some of the post I will try an antifungal cream and see if that works.
I recenty pirced my belly button by myself and i think its really infected. i am really sick and i have fevers dirreha body pain and i often black out. Its scary.
You should go and see a doctor that sounds really dangerous!!
Well I was at the doctors again this morning. He now finally agrees with me something is wrong, he is sending me to a surgeon to have my belly button removed. I am scared, anyone have this done before??
for about 7 or 8 years now i have been having problems with my belly button. Ive notcied in the years that the redness gets worse and so do the amount of pus that comes out of it. I was wandering what i should do and could the infection in my belly spread. Its has not been bleeding unless i clean it out then it bleeds and more puss comes out then it hardens. it seems like it gets worse everytime i clean it out. what should i do
I had a itchy belly button, just thought my trousers has irritated however the pain woke me up in the middle of the night feeling like i was being stabbed! I went to the doctors who said it was infected sent me away with cream/antibiotics 2 days later I was back down there again big red hard sore skin around it & lots off green/brown puss would just drip out, told then it was a abcess given extra strong antibiotics and dressings for it week later it’s much better still weeping slightly. If you get this dont wash it just go see your doc it can be very serious otherwise! ; 0
Mine was healing just fine until it nearly got yanked while I was playin gaeilge football and now I have the puss coming out and the skin between the ends of the bar has gone hard and slightly swollen.just wondering to Ihave to go to the extent of getting anti-biotics and hroughly how much will they cost?Thanks Ash
I have been having a very weird kind of a thing in my bellybutton.
There is some kind of discharge like a pus not much and it stinks!!I tried ointment.It clears off and is fine but then comes back again after 2-3 weeks.Whats going on?Help me.I think its the primary stage so is there anyway I can prevent it?
hi i would like sum advice wud sum1 email me…the last week had sore area round the belly button wen i bend hurts abit not much tho i just kept puttin vaseline round it also had like dirt in the belly button each day so kept wiping it n today it started bleeding not long but little bits have been apearing i want abath will it be safe i,m going docs frix
you need to be checked by doctor once you have a bad oder it is really infected and needs to be treated.
I have had a problem with my stomach for a few years now. It started with the the redness and bleeding and it has a green pus and smells HORRIBLE. I try to put lotion in the belly button to get the smell gone, but it does not work. I had a cyst aboe my tailbone removed back in 2003 and the smell is similar to that. I have wanted to go to the Dr. but can’t afford. I have thought about going to the hospital because I have had the pain and I miss a few days a weeks of work and have a had a fever. Now knowing whats wrong, I am going to the hospital.
I have noticed a strange smell coming from my belly button and it seems to be oozing a clear liquid. I have no pain just a very bad smell should I see my doctor?
I have had infected belly buttons for years, after the birth of my first child. A redish ring encircles the belly button and a smelly pus comes out. Its hurts and feels like it is burning. Does anyone know what this is? I dont know if I should go to the doctors over nothing…
hi i had just googled this because i nodiced i red mark on my belly button it doesnt hurt and nothing is coming out im just concerned because of all the problems you guys have had i didnt even know this could happen im guessing its an early sign? i dont even touch my belly button ? im scared what should i do?
well i went doctors she said was infected so gave me anti biotics took them 7days then doc put me on other antibioctics to clear it up well the redness goin but theres white sores inside n bit wetness n wen clean it stings im gonna go back fri see wat it can be any ideasx been using savlon to clean it with is that ok that stufff
im 12 and ive been having these infections come and go my whole life. i have neva seen a docter and a only recently told my mum. i have the infection now and its really wet and smelly and then it goes crusty. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
im only 12 and i have had this infection come and go. I have neva told anybody about it and i regret that after reading these comments. im not quite sure what i shood do because its not that sore but a lot of pus and smelly ooze is coming out. what shood i do?
i think that im sooooooooooooooooo hot!!!
Well I never cleaned my belly button, till someone brought to my attention that I should keep it clean, and always wash it while I take a shower, this was last year that the person told me that. After that I noticed kinda like a gooey feeling around my belly button, so I lifted my shirt to notice stuck on puss and liquid puss coming out of my belly button, and it spelled soo bad.
It went away after awhile of me cleaning it, so I thought that maybe it was because my body wasn’t use to my belly button being cleaned or touched. This year I have had problems, it keeps leaking puss and also smells bad. The feeling feels like as if my belly button ripped open or something, like a small hole. I don’t know what to do, like I know I should see a doctor but I just turned eighteen, and I don’t have a family doctor. I’m kinda worried about my belly button, and I just want it to stop feeling itchy, and like the skin is opening. Oh and it also feels better if my shirt, blankets, exc. is not over my belly button, my belly button feels so good when it has fresh air, but the only problem is I have to be infront of a fan.
any advice?
i got my belly botten perced like 2 days agoe and it started to have puss come out of it is that normal
any advice well help
i got my belly button done about 4 weeks ago and it didnt seem to be hurting much but the past few days it has been extra sensitive. i was it twice a day with the dial soap and apply a bactine with a cotton ball twice a day also, and i soak it with the sea salt. when it drys after i treat it it looks like white dried skin is surrounding it could it be because im using to much sea salt when soaking it?
please leave advice.
I have the same problem. Went to doctor two days abck. He said it is a normal infection and nothing to worry. He prescribed a Cleaning Solution,powder and then antibiotic tablets. (Betadine,Drez, Zenflox-oz, p-od). But still my problem continues. Planning to meet Dermatologist tomorrow.
Now when im cleaning it in the shower ive noticed that theres almost like a ball inside the piercing but you cant see it from the outside its right below the first hole its really tough for me to turn it even when its been soaking, does that occour to you too?
i have had this also for years……
pus coming out and very very smelly……
almost sickening……i went to a natural practitioner who expressed it is connected to my small intestine and had me take 4 slippery elm capsules first thing in the morning and it went away and if i remember to take them it stays away…..it has been gone for months and the other day i forgot 2 days in a row and it came back again so i started with the slippery elm capsules and sure enough gone again
please try this…it cannot hurt…it also works for IBS and diarrhea and constipation…it heals the lining of anything it touches
good luck
Hey, ive had a problem with me belly pierceing for a while now, i dont touch it and i dont know what has made the infection accur, ive been reading some of the comments left and i am officialy shitting myself, i wish i didnt get my belly pirced now as its incredibly painfull.
Has anyone had an infection and cleared it up some how?
if so can you let me know what you did, because its not a pretty sight, and i dont want to have this infection any longer!
PLEASE help, thanks xx
im having pretty much the same problem i’ve had an infected belly button for a long time well kinda it started about 3yrs ago after my 1st child i had no surgery or anything like that it never hurt just a lil puss and a funky smell so i’d clean it and it would go away well for the last 3 days it has surverly hurt to the point i wanna go to the e.r i booked a dr appt but can’t get in for a few weeks it hurts so bad its ozzing brown stuff and white almost vanella pudding like with a HORRIBLE SMELL… if theres anyone that could help please reply ive tried A.N.D OINTMENTS AND NESPORIN AND POROXIDE… I ALSO HAVE A LUMP BEHIND MY BELLY BUTTON IT HURTS I DREAD SITTING HERE!!!!
HELP!!!!!
PLEASE!!!
Is there a doctor or nurse on this thing that can answer our questions? I see lots of people with the problem . . . and no answers.
My belly button is so smelly…I have a pus in that area…some white and yellow liquid is oozing out….it hurts…(a bit) it’s reddish… Do I have belly button infection?…How can I prevent it from any further danger??? without going to the doctors….
I am having the same issue with my belly button. I am not, however, bleeding in that area but i’m not sure if it is a real danger of causing infection. I am no expert but I think it is somewhat normal.
I like this post very much. Keep it up.
After I had my 2nd child, my belly button stayed an outie. I did have some surgery after I gave birth. Now, everytime I clean my belly button, it becomes really sore and smelly. Yesterday, I noticed it started bleeding. What should I do?
Hey I seem to have the first stage of infection..
its not giving out much pus or anything and it doesnt really hurt but its quite red around the area and itchy and dry..
i think these are the first stage.. any way i can stop this from getting worse? is it an infection or irritation?
Hello there, I recently posted a comment about my belly button pirceing getting infected. And would like to share what my problems was, that could help some of you.
A few weeks ago i bought myself a “Bio flex belly bar ” these are flexible belly bars that are totally allergy free, I bought this as i knew i could be allergic to some of the bars that are made. Example, “surgical steel”. And once i began to wear the Bio flex bar, i apllied Sudocrem, And within weeks the infection that i had, is Compleatly gone!
Im hoping this will help some of you, As i havent seen any solutions like it,
Its worth a try? as my belly button pircing looks clean and is no longer infected!
Good Luck xx
Well my bellybutton get really yucky and white stuff comes from it. I’m really scared… it freaked me out!
i have had my belly button pierced for about 5 months now, and it was doing fine up until about three or four months ago. around my belly button ring seems to be really dry skin, and i dont know why it is so dry. when i try and remove the flakes my belly button begins to bleed, its almost as if it is a scab. i dont know what to do about it because i try to keep it clean, but it dont seem to help. it doesnt hurt at all but i dont want it to be there when i wear my swimsuit this summer!
i have had my bellyring for about three months now, I am a majoreete which i have practice alot. now i feel i should take it out it has a big blood clog at the bottom of it and it looks nasty.is it infected and what should i do. i tryed the hot water it worked a little but it is still that way. what can i do
So I have had discharge from my bellybutton 3 different times, no one could figure out what was wrong with me. I had a CT scan and they found a cyst on my ovary, but was not the cause of the bellybutton discharge. I just had lap. surgery to remove the cyst. Now a 1 1/2 later, my stomach got really hard again and hurt. I had a heating pad on my belly and whatever i have ruptured. this had a differnt smell than the others, was leaking out of me so I went to the ER. I have a infection from surgery, they squeezed my stomach and got about 1/2 cup of green bloodish discharge out of me. I feel like im back at square one with everything and still in pain!
im a 27 year old male. 5 years ago i had clear liquid come out of my belly button… at the time i was realy stressed dealing with a ex girl.(high anxeity) Well two weeks ago i was celebrating my bday party and i was dacning/drinking.. and all of a sudden i felt kinda sick so i stop and relaxed(it was like a soreish feeling around my belly button)… ok whatever…. the next day my belly button was oozing well three days later i went to urgent care, and doctor said i have an infection and she said she can see my lining in my belly button, and she suggested i got see a surgeon to stitch it up because it had opened one point imn my life??? weird. she did a culter, white blood test everything came back fine. She gave me anit-biotics and on my way…..well week later i sit here and my whole stomach is sore and now i have white pus coming out. and i just got a scan of my stomach-my whole bottom area check out two days ago thinking it was a urechal cyst… results came back fine! Im so confused! so here i sit in pain..
I’ve had the same problem off and on for about a year. I saw a specialist, and she said it is just an infection, and is fairly common, especially in larger people. She had me mix 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil with 8-10 drops of olive oil and then squirt a few drops into my naval for a few days when symptoms occur. It works GREAT! It is a natural antiseptic, and while it drains like mad the first day or so, it clears it up entirely in just a few days.
severe pains in naval from past to nights when inhaling deeply or tossing in bed bending or streching! consult dr for anti infalmatory anti biotic orally and locally fucidin and betadine cover wound if symptoms gets severe consult dr again after 10 days for operation to clear in grown hair follicles
well today i made an appt with another surgeon. things aren’t getting better, there getting worse i been dealing with this since feb 1st, its been what like three weeks already, whatever is in my belly button area is bulging out a little and is pussing like crazy, i am on strong anit-botics. for the pain im surving off of advil! this sucks im going today and telling doctor i want this shit out of me, i can’t sit/walk or go to work, im an active person and this is screwing my life up. i want it out!