What Causes Discharge From Navel?

Posted on Mon, 19 Jan 2015

Question: I have a little discharge from my belly button????. I'm 78 yrs old, same weight 155 height 5' 6" I'm active and have had breast cancer and a knee replacement. Thank you,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Most commonly due to umbilical granuloma...

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Regards.
Thanks for your query,
Noted the history you have mentioned.

The commonest cause of a little discharge from the belly button is a small granuloma. This occurs in response to the irritation caused by the retained debris in the depth of an umbilicus (belly button).

I would advise you the following:
It is always better to get examined and the initial cleaning being done by a Doctor, preferably a Surgeon to get the diagnosis and the extent of infection and granuloma confirmed, to get a prescription of an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicine and an instruction of how to clean the belly button.

Proper treatment with the medicines and cleaning with liquid povidone iodine usually heals this well and permanently if one continues to clean the area properly.

In a rare instance when this is not responding to the regular course as described a small surgery may be needed to get rid of the granuloma.

I hope this answer helps to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Please feel free to ask for more or if you feel there is a gap-of -communication.
Well, breast cancer and knee replacement may not be related to this problem although there is the rarest of chance of a cancer deposit causing this and has to be well searched with the help of your treating Surgeon and hence the need to consult a Surgeon who can understand and correlate the things well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Thank you. It just stated about 2 weeks ago and very little on my pants band and it does smell a little. Isn't there something I can do myself at home? What would cause this?
Thank you.

XXXX

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Clean with Hydrogen Peroxide and Liq Povidone Iodine.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your feedback.
Certainly you can try and do yourself at home.
I will try my best to explain.
Instill Hydrogen Peroxide into the belly button. This clean-up the pus and the debris. Repeat this till it stop to bubble-up. Then you can clean with and apply Liquid Povidone Iodine.
Continue this for a few days and it is possible that the problem may be solved.

No need to apply any dressing at this stage.
If you see any red granulation tissue at the base which is not clearing up, please report to the Doctor / Surgeon.

I hope this helps.

Causes as already mentioned above.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (38 minutes later)

Thank you, I will do as you have recommended.

Thanks again

XXXX

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Most welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation. I hope this will definitely help you.
May please request you to rate this answer before closing the discussion
Thanking you again.
and
Wishing you a great health and full recovery ..

Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad