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What Causes Foul Smelling Discharge From Navel?
Question: Hi Doctor,
For the last 5-6 months, I have noticed a smelly discharge from my bellybutton. I consulted a doctor 3 months ago, who asked me to take an ultra sound. There was nothing abnormal in the ultra sound. He prescribed me an antibiotic and asked me to clean the area everyday with Betadine and apply Wokadine powder.
It did not get better and after a month, I consulted another doctor who prescribed the same antibiotic and asked me to clean the area and apply Flutibact ointment. There was a small reddish stub inside which seemed to subside with the ointment. I continued this for 4-5 more days and it seemed to get better.
Recently however, the discharge has again started. I can see a small red stub (slightly bigger than earlier inside my navel). I again started cleaning the area and applying the ointment. Today, I saw some hair inside the navel and it seemed to be growing from inside. It was a dense clump of about 10 hair strands, about 1-1.5 inch in length. I pulled out one such clump. Another clump immediately popped out. I again pulled it out. Now I see there is a very small clump but it is deep inside and I do not want to aggravate the red stub. Through out there is a slight reddish discharge from the navel.
I am not sure if I should be concerned or continue this current treatment with Flutibact.
For the last 5-6 months, I have noticed a smelly discharge from my bellybutton. I consulted a doctor 3 months ago, who asked me to take an ultra sound. There was nothing abnormal in the ultra sound. He prescribed me an antibiotic and asked me to clean the area everyday with Betadine and apply Wokadine powder.
It did not get better and after a month, I consulted another doctor who prescribed the same antibiotic and asked me to clean the area and apply Flutibact ointment. There was a small reddish stub inside which seemed to subside with the ointment. I continued this for 4-5 more days and it seemed to get better.
Recently however, the discharge has again started. I can see a small red stub (slightly bigger than earlier inside my navel). I again started cleaning the area and applying the ointment. Today, I saw some hair inside the navel and it seemed to be growing from inside. It was a dense clump of about 10 hair strands, about 1-1.5 inch in length. I pulled out one such clump. Another clump immediately popped out. I again pulled it out. Now I see there is a very small clump but it is deep inside and I do not want to aggravate the red stub. Through out there is a slight reddish discharge from the navel.
I am not sure if I should be concerned or continue this current treatment with Flutibact.
Brief Answer:
Recurring Omphalitis with Discharge from Belly Button/Under Investigation
Detailed Answer:
Recurring Omphalitis with Discharge from Belly Button/Under Investigation.
Hi, Dear Thanks for your query to my virtual Clinic at HCM.
I studied your query and reviewed all your recurring notes and notes from other doctors visits.
The cause of your infected belly button seems to be unattended and also proper care seems to be perplexing issue for you and your doctors,who have attended to their best.
Your case does have hair as one of its cause, but the recurrence at such a young age is my concern and needs to be attended by-
Blood testing for FBS and PPS. If done already please update me urgently, so as to plan further treatment suggestions for your complex/recurring Omphalitis.
My Suggestions to my patients in such a case till the final review is made would be-
Stop using all applications,
Just Clean it with Saline Solution ONLY.
and Keep the wound dry as far as possible.
Update a photograph of the part if you can?
Await your updates and any further information in this regard.
Dr.Savaskar M.N.
M.S.Genl-CVTS XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist.
Recurring Omphalitis with Discharge from Belly Button/Under Investigation
Detailed Answer:
Recurring Omphalitis with Discharge from Belly Button/Under Investigation.
Hi, Dear Thanks for your query to my virtual Clinic at HCM.
I studied your query and reviewed all your recurring notes and notes from other doctors visits.
The cause of your infected belly button seems to be unattended and also proper care seems to be perplexing issue for you and your doctors,who have attended to their best.
Your case does have hair as one of its cause, but the recurrence at such a young age is my concern and needs to be attended by-
Blood testing for FBS and PPS. If done already please update me urgently, so as to plan further treatment suggestions for your complex/recurring Omphalitis.
My Suggestions to my patients in such a case till the final review is made would be-
Stop using all applications,
Just Clean it with Saline Solution ONLY.
and Keep the wound dry as far as possible.
Update a photograph of the part if you can?
Await your updates and any further information in this regard.
Dr.Savaskar M.N.
M.S.Genl-CVTS XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
attaching a picture of the navel
Brief Answer:
Omphalitis with Umbilical Granuloma with ? Umbilical Fistula
Detailed Answer:
Impression-Omphalitis with Umbilical Granuloma with ? Umbilical Fistula
Hi,Thanks for the updates of the photos of the navel area.
After reviewing all the your query and the available data,My observations are as follows-
-Recurrence of the navel discharge after healing for the 3 rd time in last 3 months of treatment is a cause of concern for you in your case.
-On first failure,In my opinion was probably due to the betadine/wokadine contact dermatitis,though oral antibiotics were given.
-On second occasion the recovery after the flutibact ointment was due to topical steroids and topical antibiotic in it.
-on third occasion recurrence was found to be due to clump of hairs which tried to remove.
On review your diagnosis needs to be reviewed which needs work up from your Surgeon and not from your Dermatologist as asked from you in this query.
Plan of Treatment Suggested-
For proper treatment of Recurrent Omphalitis with recurring foul smelling discharge,Possibilities of Umbilical Fistula /Urachal Congenital anomalies and other causes need to be ruled out.
Hence,I would suggest you to consult a Surgeon who would work up your case as follows-
-CT with Contrast fistulogram study of the ?Umbilical Fistula with Granuloma need to worked up after consulting your Surgeon.
Treatment in your case which has recurrence history and Granuloma with hair clumps in it-could be planned as follows-
-Initially I would advise Electrical or Chemical Cauterization but if it fails,
-Surgical Local Excision,to excise foreign body (hair and cotton fluffs)
-If no relief then CT Contrast study needs to rule out Umbilical Fistula/Sinus/Urachal Cyst or Urachal tumor etc.
-Excision Biopsy of the Granuloma would be needed in case there is recurrence.
-IF no relief Urolgogical Surgeon need to be consulted to rule out congenital or tumors of the Urachal cyst.
In short you would need better diagnosis first from your Surgeon/Urological Surgeon(for Urachal growths,cysts,and congenital anomalies) and not the Dermatologist ,which you asked.
Hope this would resolve your complex issue and would help you to plan treatment
with your doctor.
Welcome for any further query in this regard.If satisfied write excellent review with your comments for needy patients at HCM.
Wishing fast recovery for you.
Have a good day.
Regards,
Dr.Savaskar M.N.
M.S.Genl-CVTS XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist.
Omphalitis with Umbilical Granuloma with ? Umbilical Fistula
Detailed Answer:
Impression-Omphalitis with Umbilical Granuloma with ? Umbilical Fistula
Hi,Thanks for the updates of the photos of the navel area.
After reviewing all the your query and the available data,My observations are as follows-
-Recurrence of the navel discharge after healing for the 3 rd time in last 3 months of treatment is a cause of concern for you in your case.
-On first failure,In my opinion was probably due to the betadine/wokadine contact dermatitis,though oral antibiotics were given.
-On second occasion the recovery after the flutibact ointment was due to topical steroids and topical antibiotic in it.
-on third occasion recurrence was found to be due to clump of hairs which tried to remove.
On review your diagnosis needs to be reviewed which needs work up from your Surgeon and not from your Dermatologist as asked from you in this query.
Plan of Treatment Suggested-
For proper treatment of Recurrent Omphalitis with recurring foul smelling discharge,Possibilities of Umbilical Fistula /Urachal Congenital anomalies and other causes need to be ruled out.
Hence,I would suggest you to consult a Surgeon who would work up your case as follows-
-CT with Contrast fistulogram study of the ?Umbilical Fistula with Granuloma need to worked up after consulting your Surgeon.
Treatment in your case which has recurrence history and Granuloma with hair clumps in it-could be planned as follows-
-Initially I would advise Electrical or Chemical Cauterization but if it fails,
-Surgical Local Excision,to excise foreign body (hair and cotton fluffs)
-If no relief then CT Contrast study needs to rule out Umbilical Fistula/Sinus/Urachal Cyst or Urachal tumor etc.
-Excision Biopsy of the Granuloma would be needed in case there is recurrence.
-IF no relief Urolgogical Surgeon need to be consulted to rule out congenital or tumors of the Urachal cyst.
In short you would need better diagnosis first from your Surgeon/Urological Surgeon(for Urachal growths,cysts,and congenital anomalies) and not the Dermatologist ,which you asked.
Hope this would resolve your complex issue and would help you to plan treatment
with your doctor.
Welcome for any further query in this regard.If satisfied write excellent review with your comments for needy patients at HCM.
Wishing fast recovery for you.
Have a good day.
Regards,
Dr.Savaskar M.N.
M.S.Genl-CVTS XXXXXXX Surgical Specialist.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Answered by
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