Can an infection in your belly button 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.
How do I know if I have a bacterial infection in my belly button?
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.
When should I be worried about my belly button discharge?
If your belly button is “leaking” clear or colored discharge or blood, you may have a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection. Crusty skin, strong odor, itching, and redness are also signs of infection. If discharge and crust stick around after you wash your belly button, you should see your doctor.
Why does my belly button stink and have discharge?
This could be fungal or bacterial. Injuring the skin in the area, a buildup of bacteria from sweat, or friction can cause the skin to become inflamed or infected. If a person notices any discharge of fluid or blood, a strong odor, itching, or discoloration, they should speak with a doctor to determine the cause.
What does a belly button infection look like?
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.
How do you fix a belly button infection?
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.
How do you get rid of a belly button infection?
Is belly button discharge serious?
Your belly button discharge could also be a ruptured epidermoid cyst—basically, a bump that’s caused by skin cells that don’t slough off. These are generally harmless, except they can rupture and get infected in your belly button sometimes. You’ll know it—it will be red, tender, and may have discharge.
Will 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 long do belly button infections last?
How long does a belly button yeast infection last? Your belly button yeast infection should start to clear up within two weeks of starting an antifungal treatment.