Contents:
- Medical Video: How to Treat Belly button Infection
- Causes of runny navel
- 1. Bacterial or fungal infections
- 2. Urachal cyst
- 3. Sebaceous cysts
- 4. Diabetes
- 5. Surgery
- Treat runny navel
Medical Video: How to Treat Belly button Infection
According to Dr. Aditi Jha, chief physician at the JustDoc online medical consulting company, a runny navel can be a sign of infection. Bacteria, fungi, and germs trapped inside the navel and multiply can cause the navel to become infected. This condition is usually characterized by an odor in the navel accompanied by white, yellowish, to brownish fluids. If the infection is severe, any bleeding in the navel may occur. Here are some of the causes of runny navel that you need to know.
Causes of runny navel
1. Bacterial or fungal infections
According to a study published on PLOS One, the average navel contains 67 types of bacteria, both of which bring benefits to dangerous ones. Leaving a dirty and moist navel can trigger bad bacteria to breed more fertile. As a result, the good bacteria in it also lose and are replaced by bad bacteria that can cause infection.
Besides being unclean, navel piercing is also one of the risk factors for infection. Open wounds on the pierced navel are the door for bacteria to enter under the skin and infect them.
If you are infected, usually the navel is runny with a smell that is quite disturbing. In addition, the liquid that comes out may not be clear but is green or yellow, accompanied by pain. This indicates inflammation or infection.
In addition to bacterial infections, the cause of other runny navels is fungal infections. This infection is usually caused by Candida albicans, a fungus that grows in a dark and damp place including the armpits, navel and groin. Infection will usually cause a rash accompanied by itching in the infected area. Not only that, other symptoms of fungal infections are usually accompanied by the discharge of white fluid from the navel which is quite thick.
2. Urachal cyst
The urachal cyst is a cyst that forms if the urinary tract connected to the umbilical cord does not close properly. Usually, this condition occurs when the fetus is still inside the mother's womb and still does not close properly until the baby is born.
As a result, this lump can experience swelling which leads to infection. If the cyst has been infected, usually the liquid in it in the form of mucus can come out through the navel. Generally the liquid that comes out stinks. The other symptoms of urachal cysts are painful stomach, fever, a lump in the abdomen, and pain when urinating.
3. Sebaceous cysts
Sebaceous cysts are lumps that can form in the navel and other body parts as a result of lumps that occur in the skin's oil glands. If the cyst is infected, a thick, yellow, and foul-smelling white liquid will usually come out. Cysts may also be red and swollen.
4. Diabetes
According to research published in the Journal of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, people with diabetes are at risk of developing fungal infections, including those in the navel. This is related to the habit of mushrooms eating sugar as an energy source. The problem is that high blood sugar is one of the characteristics of diabetes that is not controlled. So, always monitor your blood sugar and other health complaints that you might experience.
5. Surgery
Surgery in the abdomen such as a hernia can result in discharge of fluid or pus from the navel. If these side effects or complications occur, immediately consult a doctor because this is a marker of infection that requires immediate treatment.
Treat runny navel
Treatment of runny navel is adjusted for the cause. If it is caused by a fungal and bacterial infection, the doctor will usually treat it with antibiotic ointment or cream and powder or antifungal cream.
However, if the cause is a cyst, the first step is usually to treat infection with antibiotics. In addition, drainage can be done (small surgery to remove the cyst mass). Cysts are still possible to grow again, therefore laparoscopic or laser surgery is needed to remove the cyst as a whole.
Try to maintain a healthy belly button by regularly cleaning it every day. Also, don't put any creams or moisturizers in the navel hole to avoid excess moisture which can make bacteria and fungi reproduce more fertile.
