Bacteria, dirt, and germs get trapped in belly button easily and starts multiplying. This can lead to a bad case of infection. It can further lead to a white, yellow, and brown discharge with a foul smell from belly button.
Have you got your belly button pierced and facing intolerable pain from the infection?
This post is for you.
Causes:
Causes of belly button discharge can include bacterial and yeast infection, surgery, sebaceous cyst, and others.
1. Bacterial Infection
Bacterial infection is accompanied with a yellow or green, foul smelling discharge. It is often accompanied with swelling and pain around belly button.
2. Yeast Infection
One form of yeast infection is known as candidiasis. It is often caused by Candida, a yeast infection in belly button can cause a red and itchy rash on navel area, followed by thick, white discharge.
3. Surgery
Belly button infection can also be caused due to abdominal surgery like hernia repair. You will notice pus draining out from belly button. Call your doctor, if this happens. It can be a sign of infection.
4. Sebaceous cysts
A sebaceous cyst is a bump that appears on belly button. It forms oil releasing glands from skin known as sebaceous cysts. When the cyst gets infected, it is accompanied with a thick yellow and foul smelling discharge.
5. Diabetes
Diabetic patients are likely to develop yeast infections especially in the belly button.
How To Treat An Infected Belly Button
It may be hard to battle infection, but is certainly easy to follow these home remedies.
1. Salt Water
What you need:
- One tsp salt
- One cup warm water
How to do:
- Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water
- Mix well
- Soak a cotton pad in the warm mixture
- Wash the affected area with it. Pat dry
How it works:
- The heat that comes from the warm water can increase blood flow from infected area
- The salt helps to absorb the moisture within the belly button to boost healing
How frequent to use:
Repeat once or twice a day until the infection disappears.
Tip:
You can also use an anti-bacterial cream on the affected area. Apply it twice a day.
- Dip a washcloth in warm water and wring off the excess water
- Press the warm cloth on the affected area
How it works:
- Warm compress is great for treating painful affected area
- It can ease off the pain and speed up healing process
How frequent to use:
Repeat this therapy several times a day to reduce the pain.
Tip:
Alternatively, you can try a warm shower for relieving the pain in the affected area.
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3. Tea Tree Oil
What you need:
- Four to five drops tea tree oil
- One tsp olive oil
- Cotton ball
How to do:
- Mix the tea tree oil and olive oil together
- Apply this mixture on the belly button infection using a cotton ball
- Wipe this mixture using a tissue after ten minutes
How it works:
- Applying tea tree oil can prevent your belly button infection
- Tea tree oil also contains antibacterial and antifungal properties essential for belly button infection
How frequent to use:
Repeat this solution twice or thrice a day for best results.
Tip:
You can also make use of coconut oil instead of using olive oil.
4. Rubbing Alcohol
What you need:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton ball
How to do:
- Soak the cotton ball in rubbing alcohol
- Rub on the affected area
How it works:
- Rubbing alcohol contains antiseptic properties that can sterilize the infected area and prevent infection from spreading
- It can also relieve from pain and skin irritation
How frequent to use:
Reapply several times a day for best results.
5. Aloe Vera
What you need:
- Pulp of aloe vera leaf
- Clean cloth
How to do:
- Apply the fresh gel of an aloe vera leaf over infected belly button
- Keep it for few minutes
- Wipe off with clean cloth
How it works:
- Aloe vera is soothing and helps reduce pain and skin itching that is related with belly button infections
How frequent to use:
Repeat this remedy thrice a day to promote quick healing.
6. Turmeric:
What you need:
- One tsp turmeric
- One tsp honey
- Water
- Cloth
How to do:
- Mix turmeric and honey with water to form a paste
- Apply this paste on the affected area until it dries off
- Wipe the mixture using a clean cloth
How it works:
- Since turmeric contains antiseptic and antibiotic properties, it can help prevent infection
How frequent to use:
Repeat this treatment twice or thrice a day to relieve from pain and prevent belly button infection from spreading.
Tip:
You can also drink one glass of milk mixed with one tsp of turmeric before bedtime for boosting internal healing.
7. Calendula
What you need:
- Two to three calendula flowers or leaves
How to do:
- Crush the leaves and extract out the juice
- Apply the juice on affected area
How it works:
- Calendula herb contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can soothe itching and skin infection from infected belly buttons
How frequent to use:
Try this remedy twice or thrice a day for best results.
Tip:
Apply calendula lotion or ointment alternatively on the infected belly button
8. Indian Lilac
What you need:
- Indian lilac or neem
- Turmeric powder
How to do:
- Make a paste of few Indian lilac leaves
- Add a pinch of turmeric powder to the paste and apply on the affected area
- Set aside for 20 minutes
- Rinse off with warm water
- Pat dry
How it works:
Neem has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can relief from skin itching and spread of infection.
How frequent to use:
Apply on the affected area for boosting healing process.
Tip:
Another tip is to add few drops of neem oil to one tsp of olive oil and applying on affected area.
9. White Vinegar
What you need:
- White vinegar
- Cotton ball
- Warm water
How to do:
- Soak a cotton ball in a mixture of one part of white vinegar and two parts of warm water
- Apply this solution on affected area
- Leave on for 10-15 minutes
- Rinse off with warm water. Pat dry
How it works:
- White vinegar is helpful for preventing discharge from infected belly button
- The acidic properties of white vinegar can prevent the growth of infectious bacteria
How frequent to use:
Repeat thrice a day for best results.
10. Coconut Oil
What you need:
- Warm coconut oil
- Cotton ball
How to do:
- Soak a cotton ball in warm coconut oil
- Apply the cotton over the affected belly button
- Wait for 15-20 minutes
- Wipe off using clean cloth
How it works:
- Coconut oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi
How frequent to use:
Repeat this solution twice or thrice a day for best results.
11. Lavender Oil
What you need:
- Lavender oil
- Cotton ball
How to do:
- Dip a cotton ball in lavender oil
- Rub this dipped cotton ball to infected area
How it works:
- Lavender oil is highly recommendable as it works as a powerful antiseptic and protects the skin around belly button
How frequent to use:
Repeat this remedy several times a day until the infection completely heals.
12. Garlic Oil
What you need:
- Garlic oil
- Cotton ball
- Cloth
How to do:
- Soak a cotton ball in garlic oil
- Rub the soaked cotton ball onto infected area
- Wait for 15 minutes and wipe off using a clean cloth
How it works:
- Garlic oil contains anti-microbial properties and are effective for treating belly button infection
- This oil can relieve from inflammation and infection
How frequent to use:
Try this remedy twice a day for best results.
Tip:
Use a clean cloth for every cleansing session.
13. Hydrogen Peroxide:
What you need:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Clean cloth
- Cotton
How to do:
- Soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide
- Apply on infected area
- Use a clean cloth to wipe off the pus
How it works:
- Hydrogen peroxide removes the pus from infected area
- Assist in cleaning the belly button
How frequent to use:
Try this remedy once or twice a day for effective results.
Tip:
Remember that you cannot apply the hydrogen peroxide once the infection has healed.
14. Baking Soda
What you need:
- Two to three tsp baking soda
- Cotton ball
- Water
How to do:
- Mix the baking soda in water to form a fine paste
- Soak a cotton ball in the solution
- Apply on infected area
How it works:
- Baking soda contains pH controlling properties that can prevent infection growth
- It can also relieve one from skin irritation and itching
How frequent to use:
Use it twice daily to see an improvement.
15. Manuka honey
What you need:
- Manuka honey
How to do:
- Apply manuka honey on infected area
- Wait for 10-15 minutes
- Rinse off with warm water
How it works:
- Manuka honey is a great healer for belly button infections
- It is 100 times more effective compared to conventional honey
How frequent to use:
Apply several times a day to allow the infection to heal faster
Tip:
You can also apply manuka honey on damaged skin around the infected area.
16. Epsom salt
What you need:
- Epsom salt
- Warm water
How to do:
- Mix epsom salt with warm water
- Soak a cotton into the solution and apply in onto the infected area
How it works:
- Epsom salt is effective in killing bacteria and stop spreading of infection
How frequent to use:
Repeat this remedy twice or thrice a day for effective results.
Tip:
Do not replace Epsom salt with sea salt.
Prevention & Precautions:
- Make use of cotton swabs instead of using cloth towels to clean the piercing. It can be easily disposed off as well and reduce the risk of spreading bacteria.
- Essential oils such as emu oil, lavender oil and tea tree oil are effective for treating belly button infection wounds.
- Make sure not to use a waistband until the wound is completely healed.
- Do not rush to put on a new belly ring after wound is healed as it might lengthen healing period.
- Do not make use of a towel while cleaning the pus as the cloth’s fibers can get stuck in the belly ring and spread the infection.
- Never touch the belly button wound without washing your hands. Use an antibacterial soap to wash your hand thoroughly to remove germs and prevent infection.
- Be careful not to pull on your belly button piercing.
- Clean the navel area using a saline solution to prevent the growth of infection
- Wear loose attires made from natural fabrics like cotton to keep skin dry and prevent from bacterial infection
- Avoid trying out public swimming pools after newly piercing your belly button
- Look out for signs and symptoms of belly button infection and treat it on time
- If you notice signs of infection, then do not remove jewellery on your own. See a doctor for right removal procedure
- Make use of an anti-bacterial cream to clear up minor infections.
- Avoid touching or scratching the belly button area as doing so may make the condition worse.
- Consume foods rich in Vitamin C and zinc to boost healing process.
- Do not apply pressure on belly button while sleeping
- If your condition does not improve with these tips and precautions, see a doctor immediately
When to see your doctor
- Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection around the area
- Fever and nausea
- When your minor skin infection worsens and starts spreading
- Severe pain and swelling around pierced area
- Red, flaky, and dry skin around piercing area
- Bleeding accompanied with piercing
- Occurrence of abscess
- Discharge of pus from belly piercing or wound
- Foul odor from belly because of pus formation
- Warm skin around piercing area
- Skin discoloration around belly area
- Tenderness in abdomen
- Pain while urination
