Smelly Belly Button Discharge
Your belly button is one of the least thought about parts of your body and most people feel it has no local use after being used as a link to the placenta via the umbilical cord during the fetal development. A belly button can develop as one that points inward, protrudes outward, or have neither pattern. Here is a unique fact: you can differentiate between identical twins by their belly buttons, as each belly button is unique. It can serve as a convenient focal point on your abdomen as many fashion trends have reflected this fact. It is also a place that many women like to pierce but very few men do.
Anatomy of the Belly button
Although each belly button is unique, their placement is almost always identical in proportional terms. It is located in the part of your abdomen that is exactly between your fourth and third lumbar vertebrae of your spine but the exact height of your belly button varies from person to person. Your belly button is basically a scar that is left after childbirth and is also known as your umbilicus or navel.
Causes of Belly Button Discharge
Here are some other causes of belly button discharge:
Urachal cyst
This is a cyst that can form if you do not clean your belly button regularly or properly and over time can form an abscess of white blood cells and pus. This type of cyst normally occurs in the persistent part of your urachus, which is the remnant of a channel between your bladder and the belly button where urine initially drained in the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy. When the cyst bursts inside it will ooze out fluid that results in a smelly belly button discharge. If you have this cyst, it is usually accompanied with a rise in your body temperature and pain in your abdomen.
Candidiasis (Candida albicans)
This is the causative agent of candidiasis, which is an organism that everyone carries on their skin. It may never bother anyone but if it affects your belly button it will cause white patches to appear there. These white patches can resemble milk yogurt or even cottage cheese. Their growth is uncontrolled and rapid and will usually cause inflammation and pain. If you have a weakened immune system you are at a higher risk for developing this condition because your body is not able to curb the growth of these particular bacteria. If it reaches any organs, such as your ears, or the bloodstream it can be fatal but these are extreme rare cases, even if you have a weak immune system.
Patent urachus
The urachus tube is a small tube that connected the umbilical cord to the fetal bladder and in some cases, after birth the urachus tube fails to close. To treat this defect a surgery called patent urachus is performed to correct this problem. If the problem is not corrected with surgery it could cause an infection that could lead to redness and swelling along with causing a belly button discharge that is a stinky mucus-like fluid that is yellowish in color.
UV rays
Everyone knows that ultraviolet rays of the sun are harmful and bad for your skin but they can also cause an infection in your belly button. When this happens you can have a belly button discharge that looks curd-like. In addition to the UV rays you can also get a belly button infection that causes a discharge from sunbathes, swimming during the summer, natural tanning processes, or using a tanning bed, etc. Anything that would expose your belly button to the sun can cause an infection and lead to this type of discharge.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes it can cause an infection and cause you to have a belly button discharge that looks like cottage cheese. Having diabetes can also lead to thrush in your belly button. One important thing to note is that when you have diabetes the infection does not heal quickly so you will need to watch it very carefully to make sure that the infection is not getting worse. It is also something that you should see your physician about to get the proper treatment.
Physiques
If you have a fat belly you are more prone to infections that produce a belly button discharge. This type of belly protracts the hollowness of your belly button and makes it favorable for the collection of moisture and dirt. These can damage tissues and cells of your umbilicus and lead to infections and belly button discharge.
Other Causes of Smelly Discharge from Belly Button
- Fungal infection — if you have a fungal infection in your belly button along with the discharge you will also have burning and painful itching.
- Sepsis-Septicemia — this is a discharge of a yellowish-green fluid from a pierced belly button due to frequent bleeding that invites may pathogens into the area that can cause an infection.
- Sebaceous cyst — this cyst is a less serious type that can give out a smelly belly button discharge because of itching or abrasion in that area.
- Debris — if any debris gets trapped in your belly button it can cause skin irritation and could eventually lead to an infection.
- Inflammation — if there is an accumulation of pus from any surrounding inflamed tissue it can cause a foul-smelling belly button discharge due to anaerobic bacteria.
How to Prevent Belly button Discharge?
Every day when you take a shower or bath you should wash your belly button with an antibacterial soap. Make sure that you rinse all the soap out of your belly button and dry the area completely. Do not leave any soap residue or leave the area wet.
In order to maintain the dryness, apply saline water to your belly button using a Q-tip dipped in the water. Rub the Q-tip gently in your belly button, which will help to dry your skin and then using another Q-tip dip it into Neosporin powder. Dab the powder gently into your belly button.
Try not to keep your belly button moist and warm as this will cause your belly button to support microbial growth.
If you are prone to sweating apply talcum powder frequently to the area to avoid any conditions that are favorable to fungal or bacterial growth.
Treatment for Cysts or Infection
- When you have a pierced navel and develop an infection make sure that you do not wear the ring until the infection is completely gone, even if the hole closes and you have to get it re-pierced later. Until the infection heals you should keep your belly button uncovered. Although this might sting you should rub some alcohol in the area. If the infection appears to be getting worse you should see your physician as you may need a prescription for an oral antibiotic and maybe an antibiotic cream
- For a cyst apply hydrogen peroxide or benzalkonium chloride four to five times a day. To make sure which type of cyst you have you should see your physician for a diagnosis, especially if you have a weakened immune system.
- If it is a yeast infection you can apply plain yogurt to get relief from the intense itching.
- If the belly button discharge or infection itches keep from scratching it. One of the easiest ways to do this is to put an ice cube on your belly button for a few minutes.
- If thrush is causing the infection and belly button discharge it can be treated with an antifungal medication called nystatin liquid. You will need to put one to two drop on your belly button two or three times a day. It is advisable that before you use this treatment that you see your physician.
When to see your Physician
You should see your physician if you have a cyst or thrush. You should also see your physician if your smelly belly button discharge does not go away after seven days or you have an infection that appears to be getting worse or you have other signs of an infection such as a high temperature.
