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What Causes Foul Smelling Discharge From Navel?
Question: Hi Doctor,
For the last 5-6 months, I have noticed a smelly discharge from my bellybutton. I consulted a doctor 3 months ago, who asked me to take an ultra sound. There was nothing abnormal in the ultra sound. He prescribed me an antibiotic and asked me to clean the area everyday with Betadine and apply Wokadine powder.
It did not get better and after a month, I consulted another doctor who prescribed the same antibiotic and asked me to clean the area and apply Flutibact ointment. There was a small reddish stub inside which seemed to subside with the ointment. I continued this for 4-5 more days and it seemed to get better.
Recently however, the discharge has again started. I can see a small red stub (slightly bigger than earlier inside my navel). I again started cleaning the area and applying the ointment. Today, I saw some hair inside the navel and it seemed to be growing from inside. It was a dense clump of about 10 hair strands, about 1-1.5 inch in length. I pulled out one such clump. Another clump immediately popped out. I again pulled it out. Now I see there is a very small clump but it is deep inside and I do not want to aggravate the red stub. Through out there is a slight reddish discharge from the navel.
I am not sure if I should be concerned or continue this current treatment with Flutibact.
For the last 5-6 months, I have noticed a smelly discharge from my bellybutton. I consulted a doctor 3 months ago, who asked me to take an ultra sound. There was nothing abnormal in the ultra sound. He prescribed me an antibiotic and asked me to clean the area everyday with Betadine and apply Wokadine powder.
It did not get better and after a month, I consulted another doctor who prescribed the same antibiotic and asked me to clean the area and apply Flutibact ointment. There was a small reddish stub inside which seemed to subside with the ointment. I continued this for 4-5 more days and it seemed to get better.
Recently however, the discharge has again started. I can see a small red stub (slightly bigger than earlier inside my navel). I again started cleaning the area and applying the ointment. Today, I saw some hair inside the navel and it seemed to be growing from inside. It was a dense clump of about 10 hair strands, about 1-1.5 inch in length. I pulled out one such clump. Another clump immediately popped out. I again pulled it out. Now I see there is a very small clump but it is deep inside and I do not want to aggravate the red stub. Through out there is a slight reddish discharge from the navel.
I am not sure if I should be concerned or continue this current treatment with Flutibact.
Brief Answer:
This is hair follicle infection and needs proper treatment and care.
Detailed Answer:
Dr. Hanif warmly Welcomes you to my virtual clinic HCM!
I have carefully worked through your case, and can realize your health worries. Being your physician, I will take care all of your medical concerns.
It happens usually due to the accumulation of the hair inside the naval or the debris while taking the bath. So when it gets accumulated, it gets infected and is painful red and has pus pockets inside.
Other option is also related to hair but this time hair follicles on the margins of the bellybutton gets infected by themselves. It also has a link to taking bath and not cleaning the bellybutton properly throughout in entirety.
You have to be patient now as it will take a couple of weeks to get better. Ultrasound has ruled out hernia possibility. So You need treatment for infection.
If I was your treating physician I would have prescribed you with Cephalexin for 2 two weeks, if not allergic to. Plus, Ibuprofen 800mg twice daily. Plus, Apply Triple antibiotic ointment on the affected area after cleaning it with pyodine or hydrogen peroxide and sterile gauze piece.
when you take bath, rinse the area with plenty of XXXXXXX warm water. When you will get healthy properly in time, then you have to make a habit to clean the bellybutton too while taking the bath especially in hot humid environment. It is necessary for people who have abundant hair in the are.
Have a wonderful time ahead. Hope I answered all of your questions. Let me know if you have any further clinical concerns or doubts. I will be more than happy to get back to you in no time. If satisfied here, please give a generous five star rating and don't forget to close the discussion.
For any disease you have, a timely follow-up after sometime regarding the treatment efficacy and to see any need to change the treatment options is very necessary. Keep a follow up some days after this visit session ends.
Regards!
DR. XXXXXXX HANIF
USA
This is hair follicle infection and needs proper treatment and care.
Detailed Answer:
Dr. Hanif warmly Welcomes you to my virtual clinic HCM!
I have carefully worked through your case, and can realize your health worries. Being your physician, I will take care all of your medical concerns.
It happens usually due to the accumulation of the hair inside the naval or the debris while taking the bath. So when it gets accumulated, it gets infected and is painful red and has pus pockets inside.
Other option is also related to hair but this time hair follicles on the margins of the bellybutton gets infected by themselves. It also has a link to taking bath and not cleaning the bellybutton properly throughout in entirety.
You have to be patient now as it will take a couple of weeks to get better. Ultrasound has ruled out hernia possibility. So You need treatment for infection.
If I was your treating physician I would have prescribed you with Cephalexin for 2 two weeks, if not allergic to. Plus, Ibuprofen 800mg twice daily. Plus, Apply Triple antibiotic ointment on the affected area after cleaning it with pyodine or hydrogen peroxide and sterile gauze piece.
when you take bath, rinse the area with plenty of XXXXXXX warm water. When you will get healthy properly in time, then you have to make a habit to clean the bellybutton too while taking the bath especially in hot humid environment. It is necessary for people who have abundant hair in the are.
Have a wonderful time ahead. Hope I answered all of your questions. Let me know if you have any further clinical concerns or doubts. I will be more than happy to get back to you in no time. If satisfied here, please give a generous five star rating and don't forget to close the discussion.
For any disease you have, a timely follow-up after sometime regarding the treatment efficacy and to see any need to change the treatment options is very necessary. Keep a follow up some days after this visit session ends.
Regards!
DR. XXXXXXX HANIF
USA
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
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