How does infected belly button look?

The most common symptom of a belly button yeast infection is a bright red rash in the skin folds of your navel. The rash is typically extremely itchy. It may burn. You may also see scaling, swelling or a white discharge.

What does a bacterial belly button infection look like?

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 do you treat an infected belly button?

Call your doctor if you suspect a yeast infection in your belly button. They may suggest treating it with an over-the-counter, anti-fungal cream. They may also advise you to keep the area clean and dry. If that doesn't work, they may prescribe a stronger anti-fungal treatment.

How can I treat an infected belly button at home?

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.

Will an infected belly button heal itself?

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.

What's Inside Your Belly Button?

How did I get a belly button infection?

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 belly button infection common?

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.

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.

How do I know if my belly button is bacterial or fungal?

This is because bacteria break down the sweat and create a waste product that has a strong odor. If the belly button has trapped dead skin and sweat, it is likely to smell sweaty. A fungal infection is also likely to smell bad, especially if there is pus around the area.

How long does it take for a belly button infection to go away?

Infections are usually minor. Symptoms can include pain, redness, and swelling, and improving hygiene can help. Complete healing can take 9–12 months.

What cream is good for a belly button infection?

Treatment: Use an antifungal cream such as miconazole nitrate (Micatin, Monistat-Derm) or clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex), and keep your navel clean and dry.

Why is my belly button red and smelly?

The most common cause for a belly button smell is poor hygiene. All areas of the body need to be washed regularly to stay clean and healthy. Skin is home to trillions of bacteria, which develop naturally and are usually harmless. The belly button has folds of skin that provide a place for bacteria to grow.

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 color should belly button pus be?

Usually, the belly button discharge will be a pale white, off-yellow, or light green color, and will kind of look like snot does when you have a cold. It may also give off an unpleasant, sour smell, which is another sign of infection.

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.

How do you deep clean your belly button?

Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and gently rub the surfaces inside your bellybutton. If the swab gets dirty, throw it away and start a new one. Once the cotton swab comes out clean, use a fresh one dipped in water to rinse the alcohol out of your bellybutton so it doesn't dry your skin.

What does it mean when your belly button hurts and smells?

“The number one cause of unpleasant belly button odor comes from poor belly button hygiene,” says Dr. Minars. Forgetting to clean the area during showers or baths can cause a buildup of dirt, sweat, bacteria, and dead skin cells that gifts the area with a funky aroma.

What happens when you don't wash 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.

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.

How do you know if you have a yeast infection in your belly button?

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.

Should you clean inside your belly button?

To prevent sweat, dead skin cells, oils and other kinds of gunk building up inside your belly button, it's important to keep the area clean using warm water and mild soap. Use a damp cloth to gently clean in and around the belly button, then rinse with clean water and dry off with a towel.

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

“I recommend patients clean their navel daily in the shower with gentle soap and water,” dermatologist Dr. Susan Bard told Teen Vogue. Other sources say one to two times a week will suffice. It goes without saying that if it's starting to smell weird, you're definitely due for a cleaning.

Can you use peroxide to clean 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.

Is the belly button connected to anything?

This photo shows what the belly button looks like from inside the abdomen. As you can see, it is not attached to anything in the body. The belly button is where the umbilical cord attaches to the fetus, connecting the developing baby to the placenta.

What is inside belly button?

What's a Belly Button? Your belly button marks the spot where your umbilical (say: um-BIL-ih-kul) cord was once attached. This cord is a soft, bendable tube that carried nutrients — vitamins and minerals — from your mother to you, back when you were in her belly (womb). A belly button is also called a navel.