Internal Medicine

Belly button is bleeding - what could be behind it?

Definition - what is a bleeding navel?

A bleeding belly button means that blood is leaking from the belly button itself or the surrounding skin. The symptom is usually based on inflammation, which can mainly affect newborns, but can also occur in adults. A bleeding navel should lead to a medical examination, as therapy with an antibiotic is often necessary. In most cases, the cause can be identified and treated well.

Read more on the topic: Inflammation of the navel

Cause of a bleeding navel

In most cases, an inflammatory reaction due to bacterial infection is the cause of a bleeding navel. Often newborns are affected by this condition known as omphalitis, as the wound that occurs when the umbilical cord is removed can become inflamed.

Read more on the topic: Inflammation of the belly button in the baby

In adults, however, bacterial inflammation in the belly button can also develop in some cases and lead to bleeding.

Risk factors are:

Obesity
a very deep navel
insufficient hygiene in the area of the navel
Impairment of the body's own defense system (e.g. diabetes (Diabetes))

Skin bacteria can multiply there particularly well and ultimately cause the inflammation.

Another common cause of the belly button bleeding is an injury to the skin, for example from a piercing. If the wound does not heal adequately or open again, it can lead to bleeding from the belly button. Another, rather rare, cause of a bleeding navel is a fistula, i.e. a passage to the abdominal cavity or internal organs, which can also become inflamed.

Read more on the topic: Inflammation of the belly button in adults

Treatment of a bleeding navel

Therapy depends on the cause of the bleeding. If, as in most cases, there is an underlying infection, the belly button should be washed thoroughly with running lukewarm water on a regular basis. If necessary, the doctor will also initiate treatment with an antibiotic that is taken as a tablet. Sometimes an antibacterial ointment is also prescribed. In the case of major inflammations, the doctor will disinfect the navel and cover it with a bandage. He will make an appointment after a few days to check the wound and replace the bandage if necessary.

For example, if you have an injury caused by a piercing causing your belly button to bleed, the most important aspect of treatment is to remove the piercing. The wound is then cleaned, disinfected and masked with a plaster or bandage. As a rule, the wound heals within a few days. Treatment beyond the measures mentioned is only required in very rare cases.

Course of disease

The course of the disease depends on the cause and the extent of the bleeding. A small injury from which only a few drops bleed usually heals on its own within a few days. A bacterial inflammation, on the other hand, can in some cases only heal completely with the use of an antibiotic and otherwise flares up again and again. In general, if you have had a severe inflammation of your belly button, the risk of having it again over time increases. In order to have a positive influence on the course of the disease if the navel bleeds, the measures discussed with the doctor should be followed consistently. In addition to the possible use of a drug, hygiene measures are particularly important so that the inflammation heals and no new ones can develop.

Concomitant symptoms

Most often, a bleeding navel is accompanied by the symptom of pain. This can occur either due to an injury or an inflammatory reaction. If inflammation is the reason why the belly button is bleeding, the accompanying symptoms can also include reddening, overheating and swelling in this area. In addition to blood, pus can also escape, which then usually leads to a very foul odor from the belly button. If fever or chills occur as accompanying symptoms, these may be warning signs of the onset of blood poisoning and a doctor should be consulted immediately.

pus

Pus is caused by bacterial inflammation, which is often the cause when it bleeds from the belly button. It is a yellowish or whitish secretion, which among other things consists of killed bacteria and immune cells. If blood and pus come out of the belly button, a doctor should be consulted promptly. Treatment with antibiotics is usually required. In some cases, a smear is also taken and sent to a microbiological laboratory for examination to determine the exact pathogen and determine a suitable active ingredient.

Read more on the topic: Pus in / out of the navel

abscess

An abscess is an encapsulated purulent inflammation. This can arise in various organs and the skin. It can develop on the navel, for example, as a result of an inflamed hair root. If there is bleeding from an abscess on the belly button, this may be an indication that the abscess has burst. In addition to blood, foul-smelling pus usually emerges. The belly button should be carefully washed with running water and then disinfected. If blood or pus continues to leak, see a doctor. The same applies if there is an abscess that does not open by itself. This can be recognized by a painful protrusion through which pus may shine through.

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fistula

A fistula is a passage in the body, for example from an internal organ to the body surface. Among other things, fistula ducts with different origins can open out on or in the navel. Bacteria can enter these ducts and cause an inflammatory reaction. As a result, it may bleed from the belly button due to the fistula. In such a case a doctor should be consulted. Treatment of the inflammation with antibiotics and, if necessary, surgical removal of the fistula is usually necessary.

Read more on the topic: Fistula

Bad smell

If the belly button is bleeding and smelly, in most cases inflammation is the cause. Overweight people with large abdominal folds and deeply lying navel offer optimal conditions for bacteria to multiply, which penetrate through the smallest skin injuries and cause an infection. A bleeding navel combined with stench should be examined and treated by a doctor.In order to prevent renewed inflammation after successful therapy, thorough hygiene in the area of the belly button is particularly important.

You might also be interested in the topic: Belly button stinks - what's behind it?

Pain

In most cases, a bleeding navel is also painful. The most common cause is inflammation, and pain is a typical symptom. If the belly button bleeds, it indicates a severe inflammation that should be examined and treated by a doctor. However, if the belly button bleeds in association with pain, it may also indicate an injury, for example from a navel piercing. Even if this has existed for a long time, pulling or pressure can damage the skin, causing bleeding and pain. The piercing must be removed as long as an injury or irritation to the belly button has not completely healed. Once the cause has been identified and treated, the symptoms subside. In the case of severe pain, the short-term use of a pain reliever drug can be considered.

Read more on the topic: Pain in the navel

How long does the bleeding last?

How long it takes to bleed from the belly button can vary widely. In some cases, a drop of blood will only appear briefly from a small wound. This can be due to a scratched insect bite, for example. In such a case, the bleeding usually remains once and the prognosis is very good. A bacterial one can also cause repeated bleeding. These usually only stop when the inflammation has healed. This can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on whether or how quickly an appropriate treatment is given. However, the prognosis is usually good. However, it can often lead to renewed inflammation, so that the navel bleeds again. Thorough and regular hygiene measures in the area of the navel are the best way to prevent renewed inflammation.

diagnosis

In most cases, the doctor can make the diagnosis of bleeding from the navel based on a conversation with the patient and an examination of the navel region. First, questions are usually asked, for example, since when or how often the bleeding is occurring, whether there is also pain, and whether the patient suffers from illnesses or is taking medication. In addition, the doctor will look at the navel and try, among other things, to identify the possible source of bleeding. He will also watch out for possible signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, or overheating. Further examinations such as a blood sample or imaging diagnostics are usually not required if the symptom of bleeding navel is present.

Inflamed navel piercing

When pricking a navel piercing, the skin and the underlying fatty tissue is injured, so that there is always some bleeding. Normally, however, the bleeding should stop within a few minutes. If the bleeding occurs again in the coming days or weeks, the piercing should be removed and, if necessary, a doctor should be consulted. There is a risk of the navel becoming inflamed.

Even months or years after the navel piercing has been in place, it can bleed there. The foreign body can promote the penetration of germs via friction in the tissue, so that inflammation only occurs after a long time. In addition, the navel piercing can injure the skin directly, for example if you get caught with your clothes and pull. As a result, it can also bleed. In general, a navel piercing should be removed if there is bleeding at this point.

Read more on the topic: Inflamed navel piercing - what to do?

Further information

Further information on the subject can be found on the following pages: