If you notice belly button discharge, chances are you have a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection. But other things, such as cysts and poor hygiene, can also cause your belly button to leak fluid. Obesity can lead to extra skin folds that trap bacteria, or diabetes might increase the risk of infection.
In some cases, you may notice yellowish fluid with a foul odor leaking from the belly button (navel), the site that marks where your umbilical cord was tied off at birth. Or you may find clear belly button discharge and cracked, itchy skin. Symptoms can offer clues to a diagnosis.
Symptoms
If your belly button is leaking fluid, you may experience the following:
- Discharge that is yellow, tan, or clear
- Bleeding
- Itching
- Blistering
- Pain
- Rash or red skin
- Swelling
- A foul odor
If an odor persists after you wash and dry your belly button, you may want a healthcare provider to assess the symptoms. It could indicate an infection.
Causes
Human skin houses a lot of bacteria, with studies showing more diverse bacteria at the navel than other body sites. In one 2020 study, researchers found 302 bacterial genera (genus) in the swabs of 22 belly buttons, with CorynebacteriumandStaphylococcustypes occurring most often.
Skin bacteria is normal. But when the skin is damaged or moist, it can lead to problems. There are some common causes of belly button discharge.
Bacterial Infection
Any bacterial skin infection can impact the belly button. Skin infections can occur when bacteria that typically live on the skin enter the body through a cut or wound.
Risk factors for developing a skin infection include:
- Skin injury or conditions that could cause cracks in the skin (like eczema or fungal infections)
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Age
- Environmental conditions in hospitals and nursing homes
- Immune system suppression, such as underlying human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)or ongoing treatment with chemotherapy
Scratches, navel piercings, and surgical incisions are common belly button injuries that can lead to an infection.
Post-Surgical Infection
A surgical incision (especially laparoscopic surgery) through the navel increases your risk of a belly button infection. Healthcare providers use laparoscopic surgery through the belly button for abdominal and pelvic surgeries, including hernia repair.
Fungal Infection
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by yeast. The yeast commonly affects the mucosa and skin, including belly button infections.
Fungal infections occur when yeast overgrows in moist conditions. Belly buttons are an optimal place for yeast overgrowth due to their dark, concave location, which can harbor excess moisture.
If you have a fungal infection in your belly button, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Rash
- Skin cracking
- Clear drainage
- Itching
- Burning
Cysts
A cyst is a fluid-filled growth that can occur anywhere in the body, including the belly button. Several types of cysts can occur in the belly button, including:
- Urachal cysts: internally, between the bladder and belly button
- Epidermoid cysts: under the skin, anywhere on the body
- Sebaceous cysts: under the skin from plugged hair follicles or skin damage
If a cyst causes your belly button drainage, you may also notice a lump just under the skin.
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If you notice redness or discharge from the umbilical stump of an infant, it could be a sign of a potentially serious condition called omphalitis. Antibiotics may need to be administered, so call a healthcare provider if you have any concerns about how your baby's umbilical stump is healing.
Belly Button Care Tips
Good hygiene practices can help reduce your chance of infection. To keep your belly button clean, follow these tips:
- Wash your belly button when you shower with water and soap.
- Dry your belly button thoroughly after you shower, bathe, or swim.
- Avoid using creams or lotions inside your belly button.
- Keep the area clean if you pierced your belly button and follow your piercer's aftercare directions.
Seek medical advice if you experience belly button pain, discharge that doesn't resolve, or a foul smell.
Your belly button may smell for various reasons, including a buildup of dirt, bacteria, or infection. A sulfury smell is associated with bacterial infections. On the other hand, the scent of a dirty belly button may smell like general body odor.
Treatment for Belly Button Discharge
Treating a leaking belly button depends on the cause. For example, a healthcare provider treats an infection based on whether it's bacterial or fungal.
Treatments may include:
- Antibiotics for a bacterial infection
- Drainage for cysts and abscesses
- Antifungal medication for a fungal infection
If a healthcare provider prescribes medication, be sure to take all of the medicine according to their advice, even if you start to feel better. Keep your infection or wound clean following treatment to limit the likelihood of reinfection.
How long it takes to resolve belly button discharge depends on the cause and the treatment. For example, antifungal or antibiotic treatment may take a week or more to work, while you may have instant relief from cyst drainage.
Avoid placing creams or lotions on your belly button unless a healthcare provider tells you to. That's because these can trap moisture and lead to more problems. However, sometimes, treatment will include topical antibiotics or antifungal creams.
Summary
Bacterial infections, fungal infections, and cysts may cause belly button discharge. Belly buttons can become infected if the skin is cracked, overly moist, or pierced. In addition, laparoscopic surgery through the navel may pose a risk for infection. Treatment includes antibiotics, antifungals, or drainage.
Keeping your belly button clean and dry can significantly reduce the likelihood of a smelly, itchy, leaky, or infected belly button. An easy way to wash your belly button is to put a wet washcloth over your pointer finger and work soapy water into the cracks and crevices of your belly button. Rinse with plain water and thoroughly dry your belly button when you are through.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Kathi Valeii
Valeii is a Michigan-based freelance writer with a bachelor's degree in communication from Purdue Global.
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