Am having an embarrassing problem. I'm noticing a funny smell, and white fluid-like stuff inside the folds of my belly button (yeah...of all the imaginable places....go ahead...laugh :)). Initially, I just ignored it, and used a dry soft tissue to wipe and absorb once every few hours. Now, its been like this for the last 1 week or so.
No pain, no discomfort, no burning, no discharge, nothing. When I life my shirt up and bend down, I can smell it, and if I manage to look inside, I see some white stuff. My laundry detergent, bath soaps, moisturizers are all the same as what I've been using for over 2 years now. No dirty clothing/undergarments either. I feel really stupid and embarrassed about it, but couldn't ignore it as well...
Do any of you have any idea what it could be? Is it some kind of infection? What would you suggest I do?
Oh Thank you all! So glad to know it's not totally unheard of.. :) I was so grossed out the whole week..
Will follow the q tip and alcohol advice for the next few days now and observe. If it doesn't go away after 4-5 days, will check with the Dr. :)
thanks all again!
i have had this happen! (embarrassing Dr Oz question anyone?? lol)
i take a q tip and dip in peroxide and clean it out. keep doing this until it's gone. i have also put a bit of neosporin in there. works like a charm.
thank you for this question, i thought i was the only person who had this happen lol!
It's probably fungal - a moist area with no air circulation. Gently separate the folds to expose the creases & clean them out. You could try alcohol or peroxide. Don't use any moisturizers or deodorizers of any type. It's a tough area to clean but if you smell the odor, you definitely have a problem. If you use a cotton swab, be aware that you can feel it kind of deep in your abdomen. Just do a little every day. If it's not cleared up in a week, see your doctor who will probably prescribe an anti fungal treatment. I wouldn't treat it myself for more that a few days.
Ya got dead skin building up in there. You have to keep it clean. The q tip idea is perfect though once you get it stabilized I would just go with a dry q tip once a week or more right after a shower. So long as you don't let the dead skin build up it won't happen again.
Just as you would for a newborn belly button, I would make sure it stays as dry as possible. Use some rubbing alcohol and swab it out everyday. When my son was about 3 months old, he had some crusty residue coming from his belly button, so the doctor put something on it to dry it up. Of course...as far as we know, your belly button is closed at this point, but I don't think his completely was. I would say do what I said but if no improvement after a week or so go see a doctor. It could be yeast too..
It's just dirty. You need to use some hydrogen peroxide and get it clean. It is built up and probably is slightly infected. It could be yeast or just puss. It isn't any big deal, use and antibacterial soap like dial to wash it for a while, no soap with lotion or moisturizers. You can out the soap on a Q-tip and then skip that area when you wash with the regular soap.
Stay aware of this situation.. If it begins to weep or get moist in there. you need to mention it to your doctor. Sometimes, there can be a tear in there. This will just need a stitch..
BTW if you use rubbing alcohol and it stings, switch over to hydrogen peroxide and let the doctor know.
It is a yeast infection. I get it in my belly button now and then, especially if I where pantyhose. Just wash and dry the area, then apply some anti-fungal creme. It usually only takes one or two applications. BTW, it doesn't have to be expensive anti-fungal creme. Sometimes you can even find it at your local $1 store:)
I had a similar situation after I had my daughter. When I was preggo my belly button popped out. After she was born my stomach went down and I noticed my belly button was in the process of going back and it was itchy and when I itched it white stuff came out and it smelled grosse. That was it though it never did it again. Grosse I know haaa. I would give it a few days and thenm maybe just call and ask your doc. But I don't think its anything to worry about. Try rubbing alcohol too. Hope this helps.
If you have an "innie" then it's prob just from sweat & yes, lotions, etc if you use them could have a factor in this too b/c it can 'settle' in the navel so if you don't get it out, it can get all gunky & smelly, at least in my experience b/c I sometimes have the same issue so the best thing to do is just wash it out daily when you bathe. Just take a finger w/some soap (pinkie finger seems to work best w/me), rub it around in there then rinse w/the shower water...might be easier if you have a detachable shower head or point your belly button upwards towards the shower if you can & let the water run in/out for several seconds. When you get out of the shower, take a q-tip & gently rub it around in there to dry or take a hair dryer on 'cool' & dry it out (the 'heat' setting may be too hot). That's what I do...you're not alone trust me! Hope this helps, good luck!
Maybe a yeast infection? Try tea tree oil
