Question:
Sorry if this is gross, but I noticed a strong, awful smell from my belly button.
I kind of poked at the area right inside the indentation (I am in "inny") and there is a bit of discharge in there. It really smells awful... I have searched on WebMD.com and MedLinePlus.org and I have found nothing on this. Anyone else have this, and more importantly, what is it? It is freaking me out! — kultgirl (posted on November 13, 2002)
November 13, 2002
HEY THERE, GET YOU SOME PEROXIDE AND START CLEANING YOUR BELLY BUTTON OUT
EVERYDAY, SEVERAL TIMES A DAY WITH Q-TIPS. IT'S JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE
YOU HAVE IN THE CRACKS AND CRANNIES THAT DON'T GET EXPOSED TO AIR. THAT
AREA HAS BEEN SURGICALLY MANIPULATED AND THAT IN ITSELF WILL GIVE IT A
FUNKY SMELL. IF I HAD TO PUT A NAME ON IT, IT WOULD BE LIKE THE TOE JAM
WHEN YOU CAN'T GET TO THOSE LITTLE PLACES TOO GOOD TO KEEP THEM CLEAN, I
BELIEVE I'D CALL IT B.B.JELLY. BELLY BUTTON JELLY(instead of jam)lol. BUT
THAT'S WHAT IT AMOUNTS TOO. DON'T WORRY, JUST CLEAN THAT SUCKER OUT 5 OR 6
TIMES A DAY. AS IT STARTS HEALING BETTER, GET HOLD OF IT WITH SOME
ANTIBIACTERIAL SOAP AND WATER. IT'LL GET BETTER. GOOD LUCK
— Leigh G.
November 13, 2002
I could not have said it better than the previous poster. This happened to
me when I had gall bladder removed in '95. It goes away, but good personal
hygiene and a bottle of peroxide and a few q tips will do the trick. It
comes back from time to time, so stay with it.
— Steve B.
November 13, 2002
When I was younger I had this problem once. I guess it was an abcess that
opened up because all this discharge came out when I stood up. Being the
drama queen that I am... I thought I was "bleeding internally"
and went to the ER. Turns out it was an abcess. I got antibiotics and
cleaned it a few times a day with peroxide. Also, after my open RNY they
apparently forgot to clean the blood and stuff out of my belly button cuz
when I showered a few days later when I got home... it was pretty
disgusting. Anyway... just be careful not to clean too deep with q-tips.
The ER doc told me that you shouldn't clean any deeper than you can with
your finger and a washrag. But I use q-tips anyway.
— Tanya B.
November 13, 2002
I know you are quite a bit post op, but if it doesn't get better after a
good cleaning, you may want to check with your doctor. The fact that you
are having a lot of nausea could mean you have a small leak or something
going on. It is possible for stranger things than this to happen. Good
luck.
— Cheryl W.
November 13, 2002
I had the same problem,it was a yellowish discharge and it smelled
terriable. My husband noticed it when he was giving me a lovenox injection
right after i go out of the hospital. He cleaned it for me with peroxide a
few times a day for about a week and it went away. Not a big deal..Best of
luck to you.
— Subrina D.
November 13, 2002
Thanks guys... it just seems weird to have this when I shower one or two
times/day ;)
I appreciate the advice.
— kultgirl
November 14, 2002
hiya. it sounds like you have a yeast infection. i get them even tho i'm 17
mos post op. i used to get them under my breasts. you can use an
anti-fungal cream but what works best for me is powder. i kind of lean back
and "squirt" the powder in there...clean it out daily and re
apply the powder. it should clear up in a few days. it just happens because
you get sweat or moisture in your belly button and it can't air out well.
if it persists, i'd see the doc for a prescription.
take care,
kate
open rny 6-14-01
pre op: 268lbs
goal: 135lbs
current: 126lbs
— jkb
November 14, 2002
this can be caused simply from having a moistness within your belly button.
Just use some hydrogen peroxide and a q-tip, and you will be on your way.
Make sure that you are drying this area well, especially after having a
shower or bath, as that is usually what starts this.
— twenc
November 14, 2002
Your frequent showers actually encourage it... after every shower, I'd
Q-tip my ears... now - since surgery, I also Q-tip the belly button...
unless you get everything nipped & tucked- there is just a lot more we
must dry excessively, to avoid the rashes, infections etc. Sometimes I
even do a little blowdrying.
— Karen R.
November 14, 2002
I had this as well. Mine was an infection from the incision from the lap
rny. The smell was awful!!! If you have a low grade fever this might be
what you have. I had to get mine drained. That was not fun! Hopefully
this isn't what it is, probably not since you had your surgery so long ago.
Good Luck!
— Danielle B.
November 14, 2002
I actually have a friend that is a nursing student and I had this problem.
It's actually a yeast infection. After you shower, your button stays moist
therefore creating the perfect environment for a yeastie! Make sure you
dry it really well. Also grab a tube of yeast medicine to keep in the
medicine cabinet to swish around in there when it gets smelly and
irritated. It clears it up in 1 day. Hope this helps.
— SMG I.
November 15, 2002
Wanted to say that generic antifungal cream (for Men's "athlete
foot" which is another fancy term for a yeast infection) works just as
well as the more expensive women's yeast products. If you compare
ingrediants they are the same.
— Karen R.
November 15, 2002
Hi!I get those once in awhile! I have bought the generic walmart
"equate" brand of Lotrimin,Clotrimazole ointment and it has
really helped sometimes with just one application. Vicki
— Vicki R.
July 31, 2003
Rubbing alcohol with a q- tip will prevent it from coming back with me.
— robin T.
Click Here to Return