Infections within Navels: Recognize 7 Kinds and Responses for Each Case if Affected

Infections within Navels: Recognize 7 Kinds and Responses for Each Case if Affected

Sailing through life, it's easy to overlook your belly button. But this humble body part can sometimes give you a headache - belly button infections are a thing. You've got a whole universe in there - lint, dead skin cells, microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, and more. If your skin barrier takes a hit, you might find yourself in a world of trouble.

Dr. Ife J. Rodney, the founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics, warns that picking at your belly button can raise the risk of infection, making the area even more inviting for unwelcome guests. And let's face it, you probably don't clean this area as diligently as you should.

So, what health issues should you be on the lookout for? While belly button infections might not crack your top five concerns, they're still worth knowing about. Here are seven potential infections that could send you running to the doctor.

1. Staph Infection

Any kind of bacteria can cause a belly button infection, but Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, is a common culprit. Staph can manifest as impetigo, a highly contagious condition that causes itchy sores, which burst and leave behind red, raw skin, along with a yellow crust. It can also lead to abscesses, warm little pockets of pus under the skin.

Getting a belly button piercing dramatically increases your risk of a staph infection. If you're getting pierced, learn the difference between normal healing and potential signs of a bacterial infection from your piercer, and follow your piercing aftercare instructions to a T. If you suspect an infection, see a dermatologist or go to an urgent care center. Your doctor can determine the bacteria causing the issue and prescribe antibiotics to help.

2. Strep Infection

Streptococcus bacteria is another common cause of skin infections, and belly button infections in particular. Strep can cause impetigo or cellulitis, a painful, red, tender, swollen rash that may blister and scab over. It can also spread to your underlying tissues, so if you notice a fever, chills, or swollen lymph nodes, see a doctor ASAP.

3. Yeast Infection

Yeast infections, or candidiasis, aren't just for your vagina. This fungal infection happens when Candida (yeast) grows out of control, leading to symptoms like a red rash, scaly skin, a clear discharge, itching, and burning. See your primary care physician if you think you have a yeast infection in your belly button.

4. Infected Epidermoid Cyst

Epidermoid cysts are non-cancerous bumps that can form almost anywhere, including your belly button. You can have an epidermoid cyst with zero issues for years. But if it gets infected, you'll notice redness, pain, and a smelly discharge. The front-line advice in this situation: Don't squeeze the cyst. That's a recipe for scarring and further infection. Instead, see your dermatologist.

5. Infected Sebaceous Cyst

Sebaceous cysts form due to blocked oil glands or hair follicles and share many characteristics with epidermoid cysts. Like its cousin, a sebaceous cyst can become infected and lead to redness, warmth, and a foul-smelling discharge described as "cheese-like."

6. Eczema Complications

Eczema spares no part of your skin, not even your belly button. The chronic skin disease can lead to lots of scratching, breaking the skin and providing a gateway for pathogens. This raises the risk of both bacterial skin infections and viral infections, like warts or cold sores. If you notice an eczema rash in your belly button, see a doctor to address the underlying condition and any possible infections.

7. Intertrigo

Intertrigo, a common skin condition, can also impact your belly button. It usually forms in folded areas of the skin, causing reddish or pink patches with a little scaling. An infection can cause tender, pus-filled bumps and a bad smell.

The Secret to Avoiding These Infections? Take Care of Your Belly Button

Regularly cleaning your belly button won't eliminate the risk of infection entirely, but it can help. Gentle exfoliation with soap and water during your shower should do the trick. Make sure to dry the area completely to reduce the risk of fungal infections. So, lend a hand to your neglected belly button - it deserves a little TLC.

1. Belly button infections can be caused by various microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, with Staphylococcus aureus (staph) being a common culprit.
2. Streptococcus bacteria can also cause skin infections, including belly button infections, presenting as impetigo or cellulitis.
3. Yeast infections, or candidiasis, can occur in the belly button, leading to symptoms such as a red rash, itching, and burning.
4. Infected epidermoid cysts in the belly button can cause redness, pain, and a smelly discharge, and should be addressed by a dermatologist without attempting to squeeze the cyst.
5. Sebaceous cysts, which share characteristics with epidermoid cysts, can also become infected, leading to redness, warmth, and a foul-smelling discharge.
6. Eczema can affect the belly button, leading to scratching, broken skin, and increased risk of bacterial and viral infections.
7. Intertrigo, a common skin condition, can impact the belly button, causing reddish or pink patches, tenderness, pus-filled bumps, and a bad smell.

Regular cleaning of the belly button with soap and water during showers, along with drying the area thoroughly, can help reduce the risk of infections.

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