Belly button discharge
The belly button can easily become infected
by candida,
or other fungi - it is just the sort of warm, moist crevice
that fungi like. If you have a fungal infection the belly button
will look red, and the redness may extend to the surrounding
skin for a few millimetres. It may be itchy.
Bacteria may also infect the belly button,
often taking advantage of the damage already done by the fungi.
This leads to scabbing and a yellowish discharge.
Redness may not be an infection at all
- it may be caused by psoriasis, a skin disorder. On
the arms and legs psoriasis causes scaly patches, but in moist
areas like the belly button there is no scaliness - it just
looks red and shiny. Usually, but not always, you will have
psoriasis somewhere else on your body.
What to do
- Resist the urge to pick or scratch.
- Don't try to turn your belly button
inside-out to clean it properly - just wash it gently using
water to which you have added enough salt to give it a salty
taste (about a tablespoonful in a bowl, or two handfuls in
the bath). If you have a shower, use the shower head to rinse
it well. Carefully dab it dry.
- Don't dab on any antiseptics, or add
antiseptic to your bath water. This could irritate the skin
and make it worse.
- Stop applying any creams from the
chemist - they could be making it worse.
- If it doesn't start improving within
a few days, or there is a yellowish discharge, see your doctor.
You may need an antibiotic cream.
