If your belly button is leaking fluid, you may have a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection.
Or you may find clear belly button discharge and cracked, itchy skin.
Symptoms can offer clues to a diagnosis.
JGI / Getty Images
Some people also experience bleeding that may need a diagnosis.
Skin bacteria is normal.
For example,scabiesis a treatable skin condition, but mites that cause it can burrow into the navel.
Damaged skin can leak fluid after it becomes infected.
Bacterial Infection
Any bacterial skin infection can impact the belly button.
It’s resulting from inflammation when hair shafts are pushed into the epidermal layer of skin.
Risk factors include age (younger males), a deeper navel, hair growth, and obesity.
Antibiotics and hygiene measures can treat some cases, while others may need drainage or even surgery.
Fungal Infection
Candidiasisis a fungal infection resulting from yeast.
The yeast commonly affects the mucosa and skin, including belly button infections.
Fungal infections occur when yeast overgrows in moist conditions.
Treatment
Treatment for belly button discharge will depend on the cause.
For example, a healthcare provider treats an infection differently based on whether it’s bacterial or fungal.
Any underlying condition that increases your risk, like diabetes, also may need to be managed.
Keep your infection or wound clean following treatment to limit the likelihood of reinfection.
Belly Button Care Tips
Good hygiene practices can help reduce your chance of infection.
Avoid using creams or lotions inside your belly button, which can make matters worse.
Let them know if you also experience new bleeding or swelling at the site.
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.
For example, you may need a prescription to treat an infection.
Contact your provider right away about skin infection symptoms that don’t resolve, such as fever.
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 medication and drainage.
Rinse with plain water and thoroughly dry your belly button.
Banner Health.How to recognize and treat belly button infections.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.How to clean your belly button and prevent infection.
2023;38(3):ME23007.
2020;16(1):33-42. doi:10.2174/1573396315666190717114131
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Scabies.
Merck Manual Consumer Version.Overview of bacterial skin infections.
2022 Dec;92(12):3371-3373. doi:10.1111/ans.17691
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Yeast infection.
2019;6:291301. doi:10.1016/j.ejro.2019.08.003
MedlinePlus.Skin infections.
