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If your belly button is “leaking” clear or colored discharge or blood, you may have a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection. Crusty skin, strong odor, itching, and redness are also signs of infection. If discharge and crust stick around after you wash your belly button, you should see your doctor.
Apply an antibacterial cream Consult a dermatologist before using an over-the-counter antibacterial cream, like Neosporin, as there’s a risk for allergic irritation of the skin and reduced airflow to the piercing site, which may increase risk for infection.
Does belly button infection go away?
Your outlook depends on the cause of the odor. You can quickly resolve hygiene conditions by washing your belly button every day. With proper treatment, an infection should clear up within a few days. Here are more tips for managing body odor.
How long does a belly button infection take to heal?
Infections are usually minor. Symptoms can include pain, redness, and swelling, and improving hygiene can help. Complete healing can take 9–12 months.
Yeast infection Along with a white discharge, candidiasis can cover your navel with an itchy, red rash. Treatment: Use an antifungal cream such as miconazole nitrate (Micatin, Monistat-Derm) or clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex), and keep your navel clean and dry.
Antibiotic Ointment:
- If any pus is present, use an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin.
- No prescription is needed.
- Put a tiny amount on the navel.
- Do this 2 times per day after the area has been cleaned with warm water.
- Do this for 2 days. After that, use the antibiotic ointment only if you see more pus.
How do you treat belly button rash?
Along with a white discharge, candidiasis can cover your navel with an itchy, red rash. Treatment: Use an antifungal cream such as miconazole nitrate (Micatin, Monistat-Derm) or clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex), and keep your navel clean and dry.
What does rash around belly button mean?
Yeast infection Candida is a type of yeast that commonly grows in damp, dark areas of your body. It can cause a yeast infection known as candidiasis. Along with a white discharge, candidiasis can cover your navel with an itchy, red rash.