We may tend to forget it, but the navel is part of the body, and like the rest, it is subject to pathologies. Seepage and bad odors can emanate from this remnant of the umbilical cord. Sometimes these symptoms are accompanied by other inconveniences that few dare to talk about. But it can be difficult to get rid of it without medical advice. What are the causes to consider and how to fix them? Le Figaro takes stock with Dr. William Berrebi, gastroenterologist and hepatologist in Paris, member of the French society of gastroenterology, of the French society of digestive endoscopy and author of the book Microbiotic medicine: your new prescription to be in good health (ed. Marabout, 2022) and Flat Belly Mission (ed. Marabout 2023).
It’s a matter of form and bacteria. The belly button is a scar that corresponds to the insertion point of the umbilical cord. It can take several forms, the most common of which are the bulging navel, or “protuberant”, which is slightly spiral, and the hollow navel which has the shape of a round cavity. Hollow navels are more at risk of oozing because there is a greater chance that residue will get stuck there, such as dead skin cells and sebum, an oily substance secreted by glands in the skin. As for odors, they are attributable to the action of the thousands of bacteria that proliferate there. “The navel is home to an amazing microbiota made up of more than 1,500 species of bacteria naturally present on the surface of the skin. As they ferment, they release odorous molecules, which cause bad smells,” explains William Berrebi.
Weeping is usually not serious. However, this type of manifestation is not normal either. It can be linked to wearing synthetic clothing that does not allow the skin to breathe enough, or to local washing carried out with products that are unsuitable for this area, such as antiseptics or conventional shower gels which can unbalance the skin flora in this area.
When it is not linked to a lack of personal hygiene, it is then often the reflection of a pathology. First of all, oozing can result from an infection: the microbiota of the skin becomes unbalanced, one of the micro-organisms takes over the others, proliferates and becomes pathogenic. This infection is caused either by a bacterium (staphylococcus aureus) or by a fungus. Most often it is the candida albicans species, a microscopic fungus present on our mucous membranes and our skin. “If there is an imbalance, the fungus releases toxins and causes an infection called mycosis. Most of the time, this occurs in the groin but also in the navel”, emphasizes Dr. William Berrebi. If the infection is not treated, it can cause pain.
Sometimes the oozing is linked to dermatological pathologies such as eczema or more rarely psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease that manifests as red patches with scales. In both cases, redness and itching are associated with it.
When a clear liquid leaks and oozes from the navel of a newborn baby, it is most likely an omphalo-mesenteric (also called enterocutaneous) fistula, that is, a communication abnormal established between the digestive tract and the skin of the navel. “It remains very rare but it absolutely must be treated to avoid complications”, warns Dr. William Berrebi.
Finally, the umbilical hernia of the adult can promote oozing of the navel. It appears as a bump at the level of the navel. It is consecutive to a defect of closure of the umbilical orifice.
In any case, obesity promotes the appearance of oozing in the area. “The navel is confined by the fat on the lower abdomen. When it is covered, it forms a hot and humid maceration zone that is very favorable to bacterial proliferation,” says William Berrebi.
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It depends on the cause of the problem. If the oozing is of infectious origin, your doctor can prescribe a suitable cream. In case of mycosis, it will be an antifungal cream to be applied for one to three weeks. If the infection is due to a bacterium, the preferred use is fucidin, a cream containing fucidic acid which is an antibiotic frequently used to treat skin infections.
When oozing is associated with eczema, it requires local treatment. “A corticosteroid is prescribed for one to two weeks until the oozing and local inflammation disappear,” explains William Berrebi. Unfortunately, recurrences are common.
The treatment of an umbilical hernia or an enterocutaneous fistula (in newborns) is surgical.
Finally, to prevent oozing that is not of pathological origin, good personal hygiene remains essential. “If you are prone to this type of problem after sweating, for example, antiseptics and alcohol are not effective because, contrary to popular belief, this upsets the balance of the skin’s microbiota”. Water and a gentle cleansing gel therefore remain the best allies for taking care of your navel.
