What accumulates in the navel. Unpleasant discharge from the navel

The navel throughout life is a reminder of how we were born. Someone decorates it with a piercing and puts it on display, but others completely forget about it. But sometimes there may be discharge from the navel with an unpleasant odor, which cause a lot of inconvenience and cause panic. Why is this happening and should I seek medical help?

Umbilical discharge can appear regardless of gender and age. The causes of their occurrence are different:

1. Inflammation. The causative agent can be a bacterium: E. coli or staphylococcus. The bacterium enters the navel, and as a result it infects tissues and causes inflammation. Purulent discharge with a pungent odor appears. As a rule, inflammation rarely occurs.
2. Garbage and dirt. Dust, particles of clothing, and other contaminants enter the umbilical fossa. This leads to irritation and the development of infection. First itching appears, and then discharge.
3. Bladder cyst. This is a rare disease. A cyst can be recognized by pain, high body temperature (38-39 C˚), redness of the skin, and densification in the lower abdomen. The cyst is filled with mucus, serous fluid, meconium. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, then fluid begins to ooze from it.
4. Pathology of the urinary duct. The urinary duct (urachus) is a tube connecting the front of the bladder to the navel. With abnormal development of urachus, the tube does not completely or completely does not block the duct. This is manifested in the form of discharge. Urinary incontinence is also added to the symptoms.
5. Fungal infections. If the discharge is accompanied in an adult by itching and burning, then this indicates the development of a fungal infection.
6. Sepsis. Often this problem is faced by young people who have pierced. Incorrect puncture is a common cause of inflammation. If there is a liquid with a rotten odor, then you need to immediately see a specialist.

Causes of umbilical discharge may be associated with diseases. One of these is omphalitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous tissues, blood vessels and the bottom of the umbilical ring). The causative agent of the disease is a fungus or bacterium. Omphalitis is a common cause of navel discharge during pregnancy.

In medicine, several forms of the disease are distinguished. With a catarrhal form, a clear liquid appears. Sometimes mixed with blood. Redness of the skin appears. This form is not dangerous and easily treatable. Catarrhal omphalitis proceeds without complications. The purulent form is characterized by the appearance of a dark liquid, a viscous consistency with a pungent odor. Navel redness is more pronounced. The patient’s body temperature rises sharply, and appetite disappears. The treatment is medication and prolonged. The third form is phlegmonous. The patient's condition is regarded as serious. The navel is an ulcer where pus accumulates. Infection spreads to nearby tissues. If you do not start treatment, then necrosis develops.

Discharges from the navel in women appear due to the development of Candida fungus. Thrush affects women with a weakened immune system. Symptoms of candidiasis are cheesy whitish discharge with a pungent odor. With their appearance, you should immediately see a specialist.

Discharge in a newborn

Isolation from the navel in newborns is not a rare phenomenon. When the umbilical cord is healed, a clear or light yellow liquid may be released. She does not represent a danger and no special treatment is required.

If the umbilical discharge has a sharp smell or the color has changed to bright yellow, then see a doctor immediately. This may be a sign of inflammation or fistula. If a seal is felt in the umbilical region, then this is a granuloma. This is not an infectious disease. Granuloma is formed due to a wide umbilical ring or improper processing of the umbilical cord. The baby becomes tearful, refuses breast milk, sleeps poorly. Do not self-medicate, this can aggravate the situation and lead to the development of complications.

Important! If there is a liquid with the smell of urine, then this is a symptom of the connection of the bladder with the crust of a healing navel (fistula). The treatment in this case is only operational. After the operation, an additional diagnosis of the genitourinary system is prescribed to ensure that it is functioning properly.

To identify the cause, the doctor will prescribe a series of tests. Based on the data received, treatment will be prescribed. If the cause was granuloma, the pediatrician prescribes the treatment of the umbilical cord with chlorophyllipt or hydrogen peroxide, as well as antibacterial ointments and creams. In inflammatory processes, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed.

Bloody issues

In adults, red discharge from the navel may appear as a result of injury. You can injure the navel by accident with sharp objects or nails. So that the infection does not get into the resulting wound, the navel must be treated with an antiseptic. Sticking on top with adhesive tape is not recommended. In order for the wound to heal faster, air must flow into it.

The cause of blood discharge from the navel in women can be a disease such as endometriosis. Pathology is characterized by proliferation of endometrial cells in the tissue of the abdominal wall. Blood is secreted during the premenstrual period, during or after menstruation. You can’t fight endometriosis on your own. Treatment is prescribed only by a specialist.

Possible causes also include fistula. It is congenital or acquired. Pus can be released from the fistula, sometimes blood. The acquired fistula is caused by an infringement of the umbilical hernia. Congenital fistula may not manifest itself for a long time. But with inflammation, profuse purulent and bloody discharge appears.

Bloody umbilical fluid may be present in newborns. The reason for this phenomenon is prolonged and frequent crying, constipation, cough. All this leads to abdominal tension. Blood can appear when rubbing the umbilical region with diapers or poor hygiene. Bloody discharge is not the only symptom. Swelling and redness of the umbilical fossa, soreness, unpleasant odor may also appear.

Symptoms cannot be ignored. Early diagnosis increases the chance of a speedy recovery. Diagnosis includes an initial examination, a smear from the navel, a general analysis of blood and urine, an x-ray and an ultrasound scan. The method of treatment (conservative or surgical) the doctor selects based on the reason that caused this violation.

The navel is a hard-to-reach place, we rarely look at it, and even less often, wash it thoroughly. However, our close attention to this part of the body increases with the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the navel for unclear reasons. Everything was in order, we went about our own business, and then such a problem suddenly emerged. As a rule, 2 main questions arise: why did this happen and what to do? In this article we will try to answer these questions.

As you know, the navel is an inverted scar left from the umbilical cord, through which we received nutrients while in the womb. In normal condition, the navel should be completely dry and not cause discomfort (do not itch, do not hurt, there should be no discharge, etc.). And there should be no unpleasant smell. Therefore, first of all, we check the navel for the presence of secretions, which indicate an inflammatory process caused by bacteria.

Discharge from the navel with an unpleasant odor can occur with omphalitis. In this case, the discharge is purulent or serous, body temperature may increase, pain occurs. With a fistula, umbilical discharge is clear or white, sometimes bloody, pain in the abdomen is noted. With endometriosis of the navel in women, bloody discharge from the navel appears during menstruation or after it.

Reasons for the appearance

Usually this problem is associated with the inflammatory process caused by infection in the navel. Therefore, depending on the penetration of the infection, the following causes of an unpleasant smell from the navel can be distinguished:

• The penetration of anaerobic bacteria in a variety of ways and the formation of purulent inflammation.
• Debris, dirt, dust, particles of clothing that can carry a variety of microorganisms.
• Candidiasis and various fungal infections - fungi give not only an unpleasant smell, but also itching, burning.
• Bladder cyst.
• Sepsis, which develops after improperly performed piercing - piercing the navel is a whole science, you need to observe sterility, otherwise you can bring any infection directly into the blood.

Children smell

Fetid smell from the navel is often found in children, including newborns. Parents run as soon as possible to bathe the baby, wash his belly button, but the smell remains, often it is accompanied by secretions. In this case, it is necessary to show the child to the doctor, it is unacceptable to be treated at home with grandmother's funds.

In young children, when the umbilical ring heals, fistulas can form - intestinal, fistula of the urinary or bile duct. Fistulas lead to a weeping navel and an unpleasant odor gradually appears. In order to prevent the chronic nature of the disease, all necessary diagnostic measures should be taken as soon as possible and treatment should begin. In advanced cases, you have to resort to surgical intervention.

A much more dangerous cause of unpleasant navel odors in children is omphalitis. This disease is infectious, caused by staphylococci and Escherichia coli. The navel turns red, crusts appear, yellow discharge, offensive smell, the temperature rises to 38 degrees. At home, treatment is extremely difficult, usually a small patient is determined in a hospital, where the navel from pus is regularly washed, antibacterial therapy is carried out. The treatment is not very pleasant, but effective.

To prevent umbilical odor in children, parents should learn a number of simple rules:

• Be sure to wash your hands with soap before contact with the child - if the bacteria do not bite you, this does not mean that they are safe for the baby.
• Be sure to change his clothes every day in the first month of his life, ironing it with an iron on both sides.
• Be sure to bathe a child daily, and you can more than once.
• The navel of the child should be treated with an antiseptic, which the pediatrician will recommend during the examination.

What to do?

Treatment for discharge from the navel is usually local. The piercing must be removed. With omphalitis, the navel is treated with antiseptics (alcohol iodine solution, hydrogen peroxide, green stuff, etc.), as well as special ointments (synthomycin emulsion, Baneocin, Bactroban, etc.). Sometimes antibiotics are required. In severe cases, a surgical operation with drainage to get rid of pus.

With fistulas, ointments and tablets are ineffective, therefore, usually an operation is immediately prescribed - they carry out the excision of the fistula, cleaning, and then it is sutured.

Throughout the treatment, and now always in general, personal hygiene should be carefully observed: take a shower 1-2 times a day, wipe the navel well, and a deep navel should be regularly cleaned with antiseptics, for example, fucorcin, chlorhexidine or at least alcohol tincture of calendula.

In general, an unpleasant odor from the navel can be caused by a number of reasons, but almost all of them are of an infectious nature. With careful observance of the rules of personal hygiene, this problem rarely occurs. With the right treatment, the prognosis is favorable.

Content:

The navel is a scar left for us to remember about our fetal development. It was at this place where the umbilical cord was located, through which we received nutrients. Few people care for him until an unpleasant odor from the navel appears. But this is exactly what can speak of the beginning of a wide variety of diseases.

The causes of the smell can be different, often such an unpleasant phenomenon is accompanied by fluid secretions, irritations, and a feeling of discomfort. Consider why there may be a smell in the navel, not only in adults, but also in young children, what should be done in this case.

The smell of the navel in children

An unpleasant aroma from the navel can occur not only in adults, but also in young children. But if you bathe your baby every day, follow all the rules of hygiene, and the “aroma” does not disappear, the discharge also joins it, then you need to show the baby to the doctor to determine the cause, prescribe the correct treatment.

In infants, this phenomenon may accompany the healing of the umbilical ring. On this site, crusts often form, the skin around may be slightly reddened. But the reason why there is such an unpleasant odor may be fistulas complete and incomplete. Incomplete occur more often, the navel first becomes wet, then irritations appear around, the fistulas themselves are lined with mucous membranes. In addition, fistulas occur in the urinary and bile ducts.

In any case, with the appearance of mucus and an unpleasant odor from the navel, it is necessary to immediately show the baby to the doctor, in many cases surgical intervention is required, it is impossible to independently treat at home with traditional medicine!

One type of fistula during the healing of the umbilical ring is intestinal. At this time, the umbilical cord is already absent, and part of the intestinal wall becomes dead (ligation site). A fistula forms, from which a rather fetid aroma emanates. If you do not start appropriate treatment, then such a disease can become chronic, and this will adversely affect the well-being of the baby.

The most unpleasant and rather dangerous disease that provokes such unpleasant smelling discharge from the umbilical region is omphalitis. This inflammation of the bottom of the navel is caused by E. coli and staphylococcus. Today, there are three types of disease: simple, phlegmonous, necrotic.

Symptoms of omphalitis are:

• yellowish discharge from the navel;
• redness of the ring;
• unpleasant characteristic odors;
• covering the umbilical region with crusts;
• the temperature of the baby, reaching 37.5-38 degrees.

It is necessary to treat this disease only in a hospital, the navel is constantly washed from pus. In complex cases, surgical intervention is acceptable, but with timely treatment started, this rarely happens.

To prevent an incident, it is necessary to observe several simple rules for caring for babies:

• the child should be approached with cleanly washed hands;
• the first three weeks, diapers and clothes are ironed on both sides;
• change of underwear is made every day;
• after bathing, the wound near the navel is treated in this way every time: first, the crusts are removed with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, then the place is dried, a drop of 5% potassium permanganate or another antiseptic is applied to it.

Why is fluid released from the navel?

Fetid aroma from the navel can be accompanied by the appearance of various secretions, most often it is a liquid. The reasons for this may be:

1. Rubbish. If dust, particles of clothing, sand, and other foreign objects (especially a deep navel) get into the navel, tissue irritation begins, and this is a direct path to infection. First itching appears, then discharge with an unpleasant odor.
2. Inflammation. When an inflammatory process occurs around the tissues of the navel, pus begins to accumulate, which is due to the ingress of anaerobic bacteria. Often such suppurations erupt, pus begins to stand out, which has a very unpleasant odor.
3. A bladder cyst can also be one of the causes of discharge. First, pain is observed in the abdomen, then the body temperature rises. The cyst generates bursts from the inside, as a result of which a smell begins to stand out from the navel, and fluid oozes.
4. Candidiasis. Often in women, it is candidiasis, or thrush, that becomes the reason why an unpleasant smell is released from the navel. Candida fungus begins to develop in the navel area, with curdled discharge coming out of it. Especially often, it is this disease that affects people with weakened immunity, who cannot suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria. In this case, it is recommended to begin immediate treatment.
5. Pathological development of the urinary duct. The urinary duct is a tube that connects the navel and the top of the bladder between the transverse fascia of the peritoneum and abdomen. In some cases, it is possible that the urinary duct will not block the tube after birth, and this becomes the reason why mucus is released from the navel, urinary incontinence, an unpleasant odor are observed, and a cyst begins to form. This requires surgery to correct such a defect.
6. The occurrence of fungal infections can cause fetid discharge, often they are accompanied by severe itching, burning.
7. Sepsis. Modern fashion can be one of the reasons for this phenomenon. Improper piercing causes inflammation, navel bleeding, and sepsis. In the event that white fluid starts to ooze from the navel, and the smell is putrid, you must immediately consult a doctor for help and the appointment of treatment!

What to do if there is a smell from the navel?

So what needs to be done if fluid starts to ooze from the navel and there is an unpleasant odor, and the reasons for this are not clear? We offer instructions for proper navel care:

• be sure to follow the rules of hygiene, wash at least once a day with a mild soap. After the shower, wipe the navel with a soft cloth, water should not remain in it;
• deep navel should be cleaned once or twice a week with a cotton swab dipped in a disinfectant. For this, chlorhexidine or miramistin is used, fucorcin, hydrogen peroxide well help with an unpleasant odor;
• inspect the navel for any dirt plugs. Especially often this happens in overweight people who have a deep navel. It accumulates dirt, particles of skin, villi from clothes - all this rolls into a very dense roller, which can cause inflammation;
• if you follow the rules for caring for your belly button, but discharge and odor remain, then be sure to consult a doctor. The reasons why this happens can be diseases such as umbilical fistula, cyst of urachus, omphalitis, fungal diseases and more. In any case, consultation with a dermatologist or surgeon is required, who will prescribe the correct and effective treatment.

Belly button stench is not as rare as it may seem. Usually, even when it is, few people think about the reasons for this. But even if you follow all the rules of hygiene, but the smell still remains, discharge is added to it, you must immediately contact the hospital. This is especially true for young children in whom an unpleasant odor accompanies omphalitis, which requires urgent measures. Therefore, if you find that the smell does not disappear, there is a liquid, itching, pain, then do not self-medicate, consult a doctor to determine the cause and treatment.

x from the navel is a fairly common phenomenon, but not everyone pays attention to it due to the inaccessibility of this place. But some particularly attentive and clean people are often upset when they notice that this small part of the body also has its own smell, sometimes unpleasant.

Hygiene shown

When you notice an unpleasant odor from the navel, you need to carefully monitor personal hygiene. Try to wash once or twice a day using mild soap, take a shower. Blot a deep navel with toilet paper or a napkin so that water does not accumulate in it.

How to handle a deep, folded navel

Once or twice a week, clean such a navel with a cotton swab using a disinfectant. You can use miramistin or chlorhexidine. Fucorcin and hydrogen peroxide are able to dry tissues well and relieve unpleasant odors.

A similar phenomenon is especially common in obese people with a deep navel. Skin flakes, villi from clothes, dirt and other particles form a dense roller of dirt, in which bacteria rapidly multiply.

When the navel gets wet

When you try to carefully observe the hygiene of the navel, but the unpleasant odor remains, you need to pay attention to whether there is any discharge from the navel. If the navel becomes wet, it can be a symptom of an umbilical fistula, omphalitis (with inflammation of the umbilical ring), a cyst of urachus (with inflammation of the urinary duct), or other abnormalities. An abnormality is detected and a surgeon or dermatologist should prescribe treatment.

This is especially important when there is pain and discharge from the navel. Reaction to metal causes tissue irritation. Associated infection can cause omphalitis - inflammation of the umbilical ring.

Check for endometriosis

In women, a navel that is constantly wetting the navel in the presence of an unpleasant odor and discharge can appear due to the formation of a focus of external endometriosis on the anterior abdominal wall. It should seem to the surgeon or gynecologist.

Worth a visit to the surgeon

When pain appears in the anterior abdominal wall, a feeling of tension in the navel increases, tingling occurs, it is urgent to consult a surgeon in order to exclude pathology. If an abnormality is still present, the surgeon may prescribe medication and give recommendations. Keep in mind that you need to see a doctor in a timely manner so as not to start the inflammatory process.

The navel is a scar obtained by us during the period of fetal development. The navel is a very important organ, because in the period of life before birth, nutrients from mother to child are transmitted precisely thanks to the umbilical cord. But when they were born, developing and growing up, people often pay little attention to the navel. Anxiety begins to arise only when some problems with this organ appear.

The problems include strange discharge from the navel. Such secretions have a specific and unpleasant odor, and can occur due to a number of factors.

Belly button pollution

One of the reasons for the appearance of fluid in the navel is the ingress of foreign substances into the navel, which naturally can cause irritation and a characteristic unpleasant odor appears as a result of infection. Thus, to prevent infection, after visiting the beach or in other conditions in which the navel may be contaminated, clean and rinse it.

Navel tissue inflammation

Another possible cause is inflammation of the umbilical tissue (omphalitis), which is accompanied by an accumulation of pus and a repulsive odor. Bacteria and fungi are the main causative agents of the disease. Outwardly, omphalitis is characterized by redness, swelling of the skin at the navel. With omphalitis, treatment can be medication, and in the presence of a fistula, surgical intervention is already required. There are cases when the navel inflammation spread beyond its borders, as a result of which the surrounding tissues, umbilical vessels were affected, which can lead to arteritis (inflammation of the artery wall) or phlebitis (venous inflammation) of the umbilical vessels.

Forms of navel inflammation

There are several forms of navel inflammation:

1.   Simple form. Purulent or serous discharge from the navel, which form crusts, is inherent in this form. If you do not treat the disease for a long time, then this can lead to the formation of a mushroom tumor.
2.   Phlegmonous form. With this form, inflammation extends to the tissue closest to the navel, there is pain when touching the navel. The general condition of the patient worsens, body temperature may rise above 39 ° C.
3.   Necrotic form. Follows the phlegmonous form. It consists in the spread of infection into the body. As a result, necrosis (necrosis) of the skin and subcutaneous tissue occurs, and then umbilical sepsis.

Treatment methods

Treatment of a simple form of inflammation consists in treating the navel with antiseptic ointments, regular observance of hygiene rules and, of course, a consultation with the surgeon is necessary.

Therapy of phlegmonous and necrotic forms is possible only in a hospital and is often accompanied by surgical procedures.

Thrush

Thrush (candidiasis) is another factor affecting the appearance of discharge from the navel. At the site of localization of this organ, cheesy discharge appears as a result of increased reproduction of fungi. The skin near the navel blushes.

Candidiasis is a frequent travel companion during the period of taking antibiotics or hormonal drugs. The causative agent of thrush is a yeast-like fungus. Since the human immunity during the period of the described disease is weakened and is not able to fight bacteria on its own, it is necessary to take the prescribed medications for complete recovery. Candidiasis therapy is aimed at eliminating the factors that influenced the development of the disease.

Pathology of the urinary duct

The pathological development of the urinary duct can cause an unpleasant odor and discharge from the navel. The urinary duct is the urinary passage through which the fetal urine passes into the amniotic fluid.

The process of fusion of the duct begins at the age of five months and ends at the time of birth. However, in some cases, the urinary tract does not close after birth. In such situations, surgery is required to resolve this problem. In the event that you do not take any urgent measures in this regard, then this leads to problems with the navel, and even to the formation of a cyst or enuresis ().

Sepsis as a result of piercing

The next very frequent reason for recent discharge from the navel is sepsis, which can occur due to poor-quality navel piercing (piercing). Since the process of piercing the navel is accompanied by bleeding, this is a favorable environment for the development of infections. Sepsis is an infection of the blood, as a result of which purulent fetid discharge from the navel is secreted. To avoid such a turn of events, you must not forget about caring for the navel puncture site, because the healing process can take several months.

Throughout this period, the puncture site should be regularly cleaned and washed with a salt solution or soap and water. It is highly undesirable to care for the piercing using alcohol, as it dries the skin very much and there is a chance of irritation. It will also be useful to clean up after physical exertion, since increased sweating entails the multiplication of microorganisms that can cause inflammation. If, nevertheless, signs of an infectious infection become visible, then it is worth several times a day (3-4 times) to clean, apply an antimicrobial ointment in the puncture area. In the event that the measures taken did not help after 3-4 days, you should consult a doctor and continue treatment with antibiotics.

So, as a result of a review of potential diseases that cause the appearance of fluid from the navel, and if you find such symptoms, in no case should you delay a visit to the doctor. At the moment, there is a huge assortment of tools that with great efficiency will save you from this ailment.