The belly button is warm and moist place, ideal for the growth of microbes, bacteria and other organisms. Any infection of the belly button by such microbial organisms results in an itchy belly button.
Symptoms of itchy belly button
Some of the symptoms of itchy belly button are as follows:
- Bacterial infections of the belly button may result in soreness or pain. There may also be bleeding or discharge of substances that are often white and watery, from the belly button
- Infections of the belly button may also lead to severe nausea
- Itchy belly buttons may be caused due to belly button piercings gone awry and getting infected. This may result in bleeding as well as discharge of gray, yellow or green pus-like fluids from the belly button
- Infection of the belly button ring may lead to extreme pain, irritation and inflammation of the area around the belly button. The infected area may have a tendency to be warmer than the other areas
- Itchy belly button usually has a reddish appearance. There can be rash as well. If the infections are not taken care of and are neglected, then it may result in the development of abscess as well as fatalities
- Infections of itchy belly buttons may spread to other parts of the body causing infection of the abdomen as well as food poisoning
- Itchy belly buttons are often accompanied by fever and high body temperature
Causes of itchy belly button
Some of the causes of itchy belly button are mentioned below:
- A lack of moisture in the atmosphere or a dry environment, especially in the winter months may lead to itchy belly button
- A swim or a bath in contaminated or dirty waters may cause itchy belly button
- The presence of skin hives, eczema or other skin disorders may lead to itchy belly button
- Chronic usage of tight belts or jeans may result in itchy belly button
- Any infection of the belly button with yeast can lead to itchy belly button
- Contact dermatitis caused by certain body lotions or soaps that may be harsh and irritating on the skin can lead to the development of itchy belly button
- Piercings of the belly button or tattooing the area near the belly button
- Pregnancy causes the skin around the belly button to stretch thereby resulting in itchy belly button
- Excessive rubbing or touching of the belly button with unclean or dirty hands
- Improper care and or unclean belly button with debris trapped inside it may also cause infection and itching
- Infections of the belly button with bacteria may result in itchy belly button.
Treatment of itchy belly button
Some of the treatment and preventive methods of itchy belly button are listed below:
- Wash the infected belly button with salt and warm water to cleanse the itchy belly button of micro-organisms. Alcohol may also be used to cleanse infections of itchy belly button
- Avoid using strong or harsh soaps or chemicals for body wash
- Avoid scratching or excessively rubbing the belly button, else it may result in serious aggravation.
- Avoid using lotions or creams that may irritate or aggravate the itchy belly button
- Antifungal drugs as well antibiotics may be used to treat bacterial, yeast and fungal infections
- Avoid the collection of moisture in the belly button
- Keep the belly button and the area around it clean and germ free with daily washes
- In case of severe itching, a visit to a doctor is essential to treat itchy belly button
