What are the causes of the bleeding belly button? Here is the insight about this problem on the inside, on an infant, during pregnancy as well as when it is accompanied with a bad odor or it smells. You will also get information on its care.
Why is my does it bleed?
BleedingThere are many reasons as to why it bleeds. Some of the common blood oozing causes include:
Infections
A yeast or fungal infection is the likely cause of bleeding or oozing belly. Having yeast infection can create sores. Sores will then allow bacterial entry and thriving since the belly button has warm, moist and dark ideal for bacterial growth.
Developing Cyst
It is one of a rare cause of this problem. This cyst, which is more accurately called a duct, is a urachal remnant. We needed a connection to our abdominal wall from our umbilicus when we were in the womb, but sometimes it doesn’t close over as they grow outside of the womb and occasional bleeding will result. While this is a more normative cause of bleeding, it is still at a high risk for serious infection.
Surgical Procedure or steps
Most surgical direction will end up causing this problem. Especially those who used the area as an entrance for laparoscopic surgical tools.
Piercing in Belly Button
One cause of that is becoming more and more common is the result of navel piercings. If not done correctly, or taken care of correctly after the procedure this area is prone to infection.
It is very important to remember that a belly button infection can be passed to other persons. This is why following the aftercare instructions to help your piercings heal is so important.
Bruise or injury
When there is trauma that leads to the growth of a wound or abrasion this this area may not be immediately noticed. The wound may be nothing more than severe bruising in the area.
That can compromise tissue so much that there begins to be seepage of blood through the skin. Many times those who have had abdominal surgery, recently given birth or were involved in accidents where there was an impact to the abdominal area suffer this.
Some other causes
Sometimes or occasionally, you might be under more serious conditions like problems in your reproductive system or in your abdomen.
Re-opened incision
If an operating are is re-opened, especially unnoticed, the newly grown tissues and tiny blood vessels are affected. These new skin tissues are tearing and thus, trigger blood discharge around the wound site. A healing wound site which has scabs may also bleed when picked.
Bleeding inside
Bleeding inside the belly button is mainly triggered by trauma to that particular area. Based on the types of the injury, trauma to this area may also cause bruises or abrasion.
If the trauma resulted to an injury to the blood vessels on its skin, oozing of blood may occur, accompanied by an excruciating pain, considering the sensitivity of the navel skin or zone.
Also, Fungal or yeast infection is also common with belly button. This type of infection usually begins with inflamed belly button skin as a result of bacteria overgrowth on site. Eventually, this inflammation triggers foul-odor discharge, which if not treated, may end up with bleeding inside the belly button.
Other causes include:
- Skin injury
- Piercing
- Growing cysts
In infants
There are a few cases of this issue involving young children just born or infants, whose umbilical cord has been cut after birth. This kind of navel bleeding is mostly caused by an infection on the cut part of the navel. The cause of this infection may vary, from poor hygiene to allergic reaction to diapers.
While it is not instantly harmful, belly button bleeding, especially in infants needs to be treated immediately, as it causes major discomfort and may lead to another health complication.
During pregnancy
Most women complain about navel discharge during pregnancy period. Although, having asymptomatic urachus abnormalities may show signs during pregnancy or pregnancy may increase chances of one having a yeast infection, there is no other reason for navel discharge during pregnancy.
In responding to this question “ok I am pregnant and I felt my belly button and it was moist and there was a white discharge that came out. Is there something wrong with my pregnancy or baby?” [healthtap.com]. Dr. Jeff Livingston, Obstetrics, and Gynecology, clearly said there is no direct connection between pregnancy and the problem.
Bleeding and smells – infections
For the instances that involve an individual having a smelly discharge from their navel, the cause is mainly infections. This could be infected sutures, infections after surgeries, internal umbilicus abscess or infections due to urachus problem.
If you have pus-like yellowish, white or darker colored belly button smelly discharge accompanied by itchiness, tenderness, pain and redness, blisters, the infection is most likely to be caused by yeast.
On some situations or cases, a chunky, stinky bellybutton discharge that is yellow, white or brown, (greenish, or grey at times), it is most probably you have a bacterial infection.
Care and treatment
Treating bleeding or blood oozing on this area is important since it is a part of the body where bacteria can easily grow. Thus, if any bleeding occurring on the skin around the navel is not well treated, it will likely be infested with various kind of bacteria, leading it to infection.
Important care tips
If you have the problem this, here are some of the important care tips you should follow:
Disinfect the wound site.
It is usually done by use lukewarm water and sea salt, instead of either alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Belly button area is a very important or critical site, so that these two latter’s may trigger unwanted irritation. To disinfect, soak it with the saline solution and leave it for 5 minutes. Afterwards, rinse with cool water and pat dry with a clean towel.
Avoid applying any greasy ointment onto the wound site
Making the navel to be oily usually trap the bacteria in the moist, damp area, causing more overgrowth. If you need some antibiotic ointment, choose the water-based one.
Regularly clean the area with dried blood
Making the navel area clean and dry is the most keys to minimize any discharges but avoid picking at it if it is still strongly attached to the skin. This may tear the skin and cause re-bleeding.
Put on loose clothes
When you have a bleeding belly button, wear breathable loose clothing to reduce its contact with the affected navel site. This will also prevent trapped sweat that may worsen the bleeding by creating a moist zone that triggers or facilitates bacterial growth.