Belly Button Smells..... Anyone else?

Help...... I keep getting infections or something in my belly button..... smells like an outhouse! I shower every day but can't keep it from coming back.... I've been cleaning it out with alcohol on a q-tip and putting alcohol on a cotton swab and taping it to my belly button... and after 24 hours it usually clears up..... but how do I keep it from happening? It seems to happen if i've worn a pair of pants that are a bit tight. Is it just because it doesn't get much air now? I have no problems in other areas. Anyone else have this problem? Penny

Penny daily hygeine as you are doing.  I agree with you it is because of the moisture and the lack of air circulation in the area and the extra skin.  I did regular hygeine with soap and water and applied neosporin ointment as needed for a few days.  The alcohol may be to harsh and causing drying of the skin.  You general doctor may have a suggestion. Take care

Hi Penny, sorry to hear you are having this problem. Only thing I can think of to try or be aware of more is maybe once you are dong bathing that you are drying it well? I don't know what stage of weightloss you are in, i think a month ahead of me, but Ive had absolutely no problems there or anywhere else on my body. I have been taking caution to be sure all areas are patted completely dry. I dont know if as I lose more and the skin over the bellybutton hangs more (it is starting to get that droop) whether anything will change then, but I stop and dab it good with the towel. I'm always careful everywhere not to rub or rip at any skin under the belly, breasts, arms etc. So that's my plan and im sticking to it. LOL Good luck on finding something to help it from happening. :)

Hey Penny, I have the same problem - I thought I was the only one... The only way I have found for it to not smell is to use a q-tip w/peroxide everyday.  I usually do it after the shower.  My doctor said it's because my belly button is deep and moist...  my husband calls it the "cheese maker". Good Luck! Vanessa

Stop with the alcohol.  My Surgeon says this is a FUNGUS and to treat it with JOCK ITCH cream LOTRIUM. Make sure you get the JOCK ITCH instead of the foot cream.   Wash the area with soap & water, pat dry, put Lotrium on your finger, and then put your finger in BB, making sure you get it all the way to the end of BB.  Do this 2x daily until gone.   Yes it is reaccuring.  My BB gets this infection when my body gets to hot.

Hope this helps.

Be sure to wash hands throughly after you doctored you BB, we dont want to have the Fungus spread to other parts of the body.  If you get all sweaty when exercising or on outings, just wash you BB and apply the cream again.   Dont put any bandaids or gauze on BB, leave open to breathe.  Hope this helps.

You've gotten lots of great advice... My advice is to get to a doctor and get it documented in case you need back up for need for an abdominoplasty.  Skin infections related to redundant skin (deep belly buttons and skin folds) will sometimes make an abdominoplasty "medically necessary" and then insurance may cover it.  Take pictures (if you can see any rash) and document dates for your own records. Good luck in whatever you do, Dawna

Now what is a Abdominoplasty ? is it another word for a tummy tuck. my dr said i wouldnt have a new belly button. dont matter to me. Me,Me,Me.................... Mine does the same thing even after i take a shower and clean. and mine bleeds too. well i have told the drs about it and seen them too and i saw my surgeon last week and he saw it is still doing it so he is writing a letter to get aprroval for a tummy tuck since he measured me and i have 3 inches of skin hanging by my hair line thingy.... thats why mine keeps draining and bleeding since of the extra skin .                                                 Anita RNY~Aug.28,2003 270/185/150 surgery/current/goal PCOS / TTC Waiting on appoval for tummy tuck!

I too have this problem and I use a q-tip with peroxide or a cotton ball and pour the peroxide into the belley button and then after that I will use antifungal spray (like for atheletes foot). I also get it under the flap of belley and this spray really helps. I just use the wal-mart brand and it lasts over a month. I think it costs around $2.00 Ps you are a week after me with the same surgeon. Maybe we have seen each other in a nutrition class or something.

Make sure you get the JOCK ITCH instead of the foot cream.