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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Yellow Discharge From My Belly Button

Hi, it all started a week ago. I had a 2 hours flight and I was smelling a bad odor and wondering where it is coming from. Eventually I found out it was coming from my bellybutton which has left yellowish traces on my shirt. It continued for 2 days and all the tiny hair inside y bellybutton was moistured and a white substance was surrounding the roots of my bellybutton hair. I cleaned my bellybutton after that and all the hair was cut from its roots just like a plant! From that day I have been cleaning my bellybutton with salty water and drying it carefully but still, a drop or two of yellowish fluid (probably pus) is coming after several hours. So no matter how much I dry it, after few hours I notice that deep inside it is wet! I am 35 years old, 178 cm, 71 KG with perfect health and without any precedent with my belly button. What should I do now, knowing that this matter has been going on for exactly a week now. Should I conitnue pouring salty water on it twice a day? Should I lay in the sun and make it dry? Should I stop exposing it to water for a couple of days? or maybe apply an anti-septic cream? Finally, how serious my case is? Please help.
Thu, 19 Feb 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,
This is Dr. Klarida Papaqako answering your question.

I read carefully you query. From what you are describing looks like an infection of the belly button. In general, when belly button has bad smell it is caused from a fungal infection (90% of cases). So, to help with that I would:
-- encourage you to continue keeping it as much dry as possible
-- Peroxide Hydrogen is recommended more then salty water, so apply some of it to your belly button 1-2 times/day.
-- An antifungal cream is needed. I know its not like other fungal infections, but its the fungal infection of belly button, with its characteristic symptoms. Ketoconazole 2% cream twice day, thick layer, for 2 weeks will help with it.

It should not be painful or cause abdominal pain. If its not getting better or getting worse, go check it to your local doctor, so he does an ultrasound and watches whats happening behind it. There is a cyst over the urinary bladder and under the belly button which some people have and when it gets infected starts showing signs. It is very rarely the case though.

Let me know if you have any other question.
Take care.
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Suggest Treatment For Yellow Discharge From My Belly Button

Hello, This is Dr. Klarida Papaqako answering your question. I read carefully you query. From what you are describing looks like an infection of the belly button. In general, when belly button has bad smell it is caused from a fungal infection (90% of cases). So, to help with that I would: -- encourage you to continue keeping it as much dry as possible -- Peroxide Hydrogen is recommended more then salty water, so apply some of it to your belly button 1-2 times/day. -- An antifungal cream is needed. I know its not like other fungal infections, but its the fungal infection of belly button, with its characteristic symptoms. Ketoconazole 2% cream twice day, thick layer, for 2 weeks will help with it. It should not be painful or cause abdominal pain. If its not getting better or getting worse, go check it to your local doctor, so he does an ultrasound and watches whats happening behind it. There is a cyst over the urinary bladder and under the belly button which some people have and when it gets infected starts showing signs. It is very rarely the case though. Let me know if you have any other question. Take care.