Often, the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the navel causes discomfort. There can be several main reasons and most of them require a visit to a doctor. Why it smells from the navel in adults will be discussed in this article.

The navel is the scar left after birth. Often people do not think about the need to care for him until an unpleasant smell appears. One of the reasons why there is a bad smell and discharge from the navel may be the ingress of dirt or dust.

Violation of personal hygiene only contributes to the development of infections. Never touch your belly button with dirty hands.

To avoid the appearance of a smell from the umbilical cord, water procedures are taken daily.. The navel area is cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide. One procedure a week is an excellent prevention of inflammation of the umbilical region.

If, subject to all hygiene standards, the smell remains, it is recommended that you definitely seek the advice of a surgeon.

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The occurrence of inflammatory processes

Most often, the navel becomes inflamed when a fistula appears., since with such a phenomenon it gets wet. If symptoms such as inflammation and redness in the navel area appear, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor.

The second most dangerous disease that leads to the appearance of an odor from the umbilical cord is omphalitis.. This inflammatory process appears with improper care of the umbilical fossa and the accumulation of dirt in it.

Inflammation can also occur in case of an unsuccessful piercing.. You should remove the earring and contact a specialist for help.


Also, one of the main reasons why women can smell bad from the navel is endometriosis.

Also, one of the main reasons why women can smell bad from the navel is endometriosis. In this inflammatory process, symptoms such as pulling pains, spotting are manifested.

Diagnosis is carried out by a doctor during an examination, based on the results of a study of discharge from the navel and blood tests. Treatment is carried out with the use of hormonal drugs. If after the course there is no positive result, an operation is performed.

The development of fungal diseases in the navel

The reasons why the navel smells are very different, and one of them is fungus.. Such diseases are divided according to the degree of distribution and danger.

The reasons may be:

  • non-compliance with body hygiene;
  • contact with a sick person or animal;
  • internal health problems, and as a result, damage to the skin around the navel.

The main symptoms of a fungal infection are itching, redness, discoloration of the skin and its peeling. With such an infection, if you do not receive proper treatment on time, the rash will spread to healthy areas of the body, and the itching will intensify.


The main symptoms of a fungal infection are itching, redness, discoloration of the skin and its peeling.

For treatment, ointments and creams are used. You can't self-medicate! All drugs must be prescribed by the attending physician. It is worth observing personal hygiene on your own, taking a shower daily, wearing comfortable and clean underwear.

Skin diseases as the cause of an unpleasant odor from the navel

Infections of the skin often result in severe diseases.

One of them is omphalitis. His reasons:

  • reduced immunity;
  • overweight;
  • infectious diseases of the skin;
  • pneumonia;
  • pustular diseases;
  • tight, dirty clothes.

Of the signs of omphalitis are characteristic: an unpleasant odor, redness of the skin, mucous discharge, discoloration of the skin to gray-yellow.

Treatment is carried out in a complex manner. First, apply the treatment with antiseptic agents. Secondly, immunostimulants and vitamins are prescribed. The skin is lubricated with heparin ointment. From physiotherapy, UHF, electrophoresis, microwave and ultraviolet radiation are prescribed.

In difficult cases, surgical methods are used when the abscess is opened and pus is removed using a probe.

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Diseases of the endocrine system

The functions of the endocrine glands affect the functioning of the body. In case of metabolic disorders and improper functioning of the organs, an unpleasant odor from the navel may appear.

The main diseases of the endocrine system are:

- Diabetes.

- Thyroid cysts.

- Adrenal insufficiency.

— Obesity.

- Thyroid adenoma.

Such diseases lead to disruption of the whole organism and can be the main reason why purulent discharge appears and smells bad from the navel.

In such cases, p In addition to medical treatment, a review of the diet is necessary. The exclusion of harmful products that lead to disruption of the endocrine system will help in the fight against the disease.


Treatment and prevention of diabetes differs depending on its degree.

Treatment and prevention of diabetes differs depending on its degree. Obligatory is the observance of the diet, the rejection of sweet and starchy foods, the complete exclusion of alcoholic beverages. In some cases, insulin therapy is prescribed.

Adrenal insufficiency is treated with drugs containing glucocorticoids. In acute insufficiency, it is carried out in a hospital under the supervision of doctors.

Pathology of the bladder and urinary tract

Causes of odor from the navel may be related to the urinary duct. It is a tube that runs from the bladder to the navel.

A fistula may form in its area. With this disease, urine is released from the umbilical ring, which leads to an unpleasant odor and redness of the skin.

It is important to know! Diagnosis of any disease is carried out by the attending physician, based on the examination and the result of the tests.

Bladder cyst is no less dangerous. With its increase, suppuration, an unpleasant odor and increased body temperature may appear.

Sepsis, as the cause of an unpleasant odor from the navel

A purulent infection caused by blood poisoning is sepsis. Its main symptoms are fever, discoloration of the skin, herpes, an unpleasant smell from the navel.

The cause of its occurrence can be blood diseases, oncology, wounds and burns, intrauterine infections. The doctor will be able to determine the exact diagnosis. To do this, it is necessary to pass a blood culture for sterility and bakposev of purulent wounds.


The cause of sepsis can be blood diseases, oncology, injuries and burns, intrauterine infections.

Treatment includes antibiotics, antibiotics, and immunotherapy. In difficult cases, surgical treatment is performed.

  • timely treat any wounds and pustular formations;
  • do not self-medicate;
  • observe personal hygiene, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water after visiting medical institutions.

Causes of smell from the navel in pregnant women

The umbilical cord connects the baby with the mother until birth. During pregnancy, the hormonal balance changes, and the likelihood of inflammatory processes increases..

If there is a discharge, this may be the main cause of an unpleasant odor from the navel. If the skin becomes red, itchy, pus is released, you should consult a doctor. Inflammation is manifested due to the penetration of bacteria or dirt into the navel.


During the period of expectation of a child, it is important to carefully care for the navel and adhere to the rules of personal hygiene.

Expectant mothers may develop thrush, or candidiasis. This is a fungal infection that manifests itself with a decrease in immunity. It is accompanied by white discharge with a characteristic sour smell and possible inflammation of the umbilical cord.

With an increase in the abdomen, pain may also appear. They are due to the fact that the skin is stretched and an umbilical hernia can form, which provokes an odor, which disappears after childbirth in most cases.

Note! During the period of expectation of a child, it is important to carefully care for the navel and adhere to the rules of personal hygiene.

If the smell is accompanied by discharge and pain

Why the navel smells and pain appears can be associated with several types of diseases.

An umbilical hernia leads to disruption of the intestines which causes pain in the abdomen. Adults with such symptoms should consult a doctor.

Omphalitis can also be accompanied by pain and discharge due to inflammation of the skin.. For prevention, you should carefully monitor the hygiene of the navel. The treatment is carried out locally, using anti-inflammatory drugs.

Carefully! An improperly performed piercing can lead to inflammation of the skin, pain and bad smell in the navel piercing area.

Navel care rules

Despite the fact that the main reasons for the appearance of a bad smell from the navel are quite dangerous for health, this does not mean that no action should be taken before contacting a doctor.

The first step is to process the umbilical ring. After taking a shower or bath, take a Q-tip, dip it in hydrogen peroxide and gently clean the navel. Then wipe the navel with a cotton pad so that no moisture remains.


After taking a shower or bath, take a Q-tip, dip it in hydrogen peroxide and gently clean the navel

If a wound has formed on the navel, then it must be treated with brilliant green. In no case should the navel be sealed with a plaster, air must flow.

While wearing a piercing, you need to take care not only of the navel, but also of the earring. Once a week, take out the jewelry and wipe the metal with a disinfectant. If, in addition to an unpleasant odor, additional symptoms appear that cause discomfort, it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible to exclude inflammation and various diseases.

Regular care of the navel will help to avoid the appearance of inflammatory processes. If the reason for the discharge has been determined, but the navel still smells after applying disinfection measures, it is recommended not to delay and go to the doctor.

Some interesting facts about the belly button:

How to treat the navel in an adult so that there is no smell:

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