Belly button question - gross

Sorry, but this is kind of weight related. The last couple days I have been seeing fluid come out of my belly button, and god does it stink! I have been cleaning it with a Q-tip and last night it had a reddish tint, almost like blood. Because of my fat belly, the button is deep, almost swallows 3/4 of the q-tip!! YIKES! So I regularly clean and try to keep it dry. But this seems weird. It's not like the fluid is draining out and getting on my underwear, but you can see it at the opening. Any advice? I thought about putting rubbing alcohol on a q-tip and swabbing in there, hoping the alcohol would dry it out. Thanks!

Yep, belly button infection and your right, it does stink! UGH. I've had them before. My sister has one now as a matter of fact. Use a q tip and peroxide. Try to air it out as much as possible and make sure when you shower that you stick your finger in there, gently, and with the water and soap wa**** out real good and rinse it out real good. Also take a q tip and dry it out real good after a shower, and clean it after a workout. They can get infected easily due to a yeast type buildup in there, and because it can't get air in there. It is definately something that needs tended to, just like cleaning out the ears.... If the ooozing keeps up, try some neosporin or call your Dr. All the best Kay

I too have had that problem in the past. I thought it was just the moisture laying on my scar from having my tubes tied. It just never seemed to smell right and it didnt hurt, so I just didnt think about it. However after I had strep throat last year, I was given a shot of penicillin and lo and behold my belly button didnt stink no more! SO it was an infection all along. I recommend you going to the doctor if it doesnt clear up in a few days. Please dont go 2 years like I did because of not knowing! Good luck!

Thanks "Sweets" - right now I have a little red ring around the outside of my belly button, and it's itchy a little, I suspect you're right, it's yeast. I'll try and clean as Kay suggested, then see if it goes away. Thanks again! Karen

Thanks Kay, I'll do that

Keep the qtip out of the belly button. If that cotton comes off in there, it will be a bigger problem than what you have now. I put hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and spray my belly button AND under my skin flap when I get out of the shower. I dry off well and they spray. That keeps the bacteria from growing in those moist areas. Neosporin is also good but put it on with your finger. No cotton, no qtip. The alcohol will dry it out and will be okay if you haven't got any little tears in there. But you'll know that soon enough. Keep ahead of this one. It could become serious. La Wanda

Thanks La Wanda - my mother always tells me not to stick them in there, just the same with sticking them in my ears...I always do!!! I'll have to see if we have some peroxide. I remember when I put the alcohol in there before I made a small trip to the moon . I appreciate your help! Karen

If you think it might be a yeast type infection, try to keep it dry and put some Monistat on it. Also the athlete's foot powders help with keeping moist areas dry and yeast free.

I had this happen to me once,, lay on your back and just pour a little of alcohol in it and let it soak,, or proxicide and let it bubble,, as long as it bubbles it is killing the infection..I know it is nasty but hey, you have to deal with and try to fix it.. Try not to stick that q-tip in to far cause you don't want the little hairs sticking in your belly button..

I've had them before. Alcohol burns, but peroxide is fine. It usually takes a couple of days for it to clear up for me... HTH ~Alyssa 352/237/goal weight -115 pounds, 9 months post-op