Eeuuugh! What could be causing your belly button to stink and be oozing and bleeding?
Could it be some form of cancer?
“The cause of a smelly belly button is a superficial skin infection,” says Susan L. Besser, MD, with Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, and Diplomate American Board of Obesity Medicine and board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.
The Odor
“Bacteria and sweat can get trapped in the belly button,” says Dr. Besser. The belly button is a dark, moist place that’s partially enclosed, and this is the ideal environment for smelly bacteria to thrive.
Dr. Besser explains, “Bacteria will feed on body sweat (body fluids are a great culture medium), and thus you end up with a mild infection.
“The treatment is to clean the area regularly (Q-tips work well) to prevent bacteria and sweat from being trapped there.”
Do not pick at your belly button with a fingernail. This includes any scabs that may be present.
If cleansing doesn’t relieve the problem, see your doctor.
Dr. Besser provides comprehensive family care, treating common and acute primary conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Her ongoing approach allows her the opportunity to provide accurate and critical diagnoses of more complex conditions and disorders.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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