Steps to Take if Your Belly Button Is Leaking Fluid

Your belly button (navel) marks where your umbilical cord detached from the placenta (the organ that nourishes a fetus inside the womb) before you were born.

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.

This article explains the symptoms, causes, and treatment for belly button discharge.

Signs of Belly Button Discharge

If your belly button is leaking fluid, you may experience the following:

• Discharge that is yellow, tan, or clear
• Blood
• Itching
• Rash
• A foul odor

If an odor persists after you wash and dry your belly button, you may want to seek medical advice because this could indicate an infection.

Causes

Human skin houses a lot of bacteria. In one study, researchers found that belly buttons, like other skin locations, have diverse bacterial communities. On average, they found 67 types of bacteria per belly button.

Skin bacteria is normal. But when the skin is damaged or moist, it can lead to problems. Commonly, an infected belly button causes the discharge. However, some other things can lead to belly button discharge, too.

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
• Skin conditions that could cause cracks in the skin (like eczema or fungal infections)
• Obesity
• Diabetes
  

Scratches, navel piercings, and surgical incisions are common belly button injuries that can lead to an infection.

Fungal Infection

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by yeast. These infections commonly occur on the skin, including the belly button.

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.

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.

Treatment Based on Cause

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.

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. Be sure to also rinse with plain water and thoroughly dry your belly button when you are through.