The navel festers in an adult with a smell. What to do

Certain parts of the human body are often displayed and the navel is one of them. If it festers in an adult, then it not only looks very unpleasant, but it can also be a clear sign of a serious illness that requires immediate treatment.

When an unpleasant and pungent odor appears in this area, it is necessary to find out exactly what exactly could lead to such symptoms. Some causes do not require medical treatment, while other problems may require surgery. Therefore, with a long manifestation of such a symptom, it is imperative to undergo a diagnosis in a medical institution.

Possible reasons

There are many factors that can trigger the appearance of an unpleasant odor and pus in the navel.

Lack of hygiene

Odor and pus in the umbilical fossa can occur with irregular showering and when a person does not perform other standard daily hygiene measures. The problem often occurs in those people who have a so-called deep navel.

If you do not go to the shower for a long time, then dust, dirt, dead skin and hair particles, lint from clothes and much more will quickly begin to accumulate in the navel. As a result, umbilical pellets are formed, which are small lumps. Since the umbilical fold is partially closed, it is poorly drained, and the moisture accumulated inside only enhances the negative effect. As a result, the lumps are converted into unpleasant-smelling mud plugs.

It is best to use mild shower products. It is better to choose gels or soaps with a neutral pH. If itching or irritation appears from the soap, then it is enough to choose another product. The same should be done if the skin becomes very dry and tight after taking a shower.

Urachus cyst

An adult's navel festers for many reasons, and some of them require a more thorough examination. Perhaps we are talking about a cyst of the bladder, which develops in the case of an abnormal development of the urinary duct or urachus. As a rule, children suffer from such problems even at the stage of embryonic development.

The bladder cyst does not appear for a long time. According to medical standards, the human urinary tract usually becomes overgrown as early as the 5th month after birth. But sometimes factors or diseases arise, due to which a hollow-type formation appears in the duct. Wastes of life enter it, which begin to pass through the umbilical fossa.

People often live with a cyst like this for a long time, until at some point in adulthood pus or an unpleasant odor appears in the navel. Even the simplest infection in the navel can provoke such activation of the cyst. Cyst suppuration begins, which means that immediate treatment is required. Most often, a urachus cyst manifests itself in men. In women, this deviation is extremely rare.

Omphalitis

This pathology is called inflammation of the umbilical tissue. The main symptom of omphalitis is redness of the skin around the umbilical fossa, the appearance of pain and swelling. Also, pus and a pungent and unpleasant odor almost always appear. In difficult situations, blood impurities can be seen in the pus. As a rule, this pathology manifests itself in the case of an advanced fungus or if a person suffers from a serious infection.

If omphalitis is not treated, the inflammatory process will begin to spread to the internal organs, which can be fatal. A similar condition manifests itself very similarly to a urachus cyst. In this case, the neoplasms begin to grow more actively and press on the nerve endings of the navel.

This leads to their constant irritation and provokes an inflammatory process. Additionally, the patient may have a fever. With a complication, pyelonephritis, cystitis and other diseases affecting the urinary system are first diagnosed. Later, the outflow of urine becomes difficult, up to complete cessation.

As a rule, the disease manifests itself immediately after the skin has been damaged inside the navel itself. Pus is discharged with pressure. However, in the later advanced stages, it begins to flow on its own.

Umbilical fistula

The navel in an adult festers due to an umbilical fistula quite rarely, but this possibility should not be ruled out. As a rule, this is a kind of congenital pathology that occurs if the umbilical cord does not tighten after birth. This leads to a non-closure of the bladder and sometimes the bile duct. Acquired fistulas are very rare and appear only if the intestine is damaged or if the patient has an infringement of the umbilical hernia.

The main symptom of a fistula is skin redness and irritation. Liquid accumulates in the navel, an unpleasant odor appears. If the fistula is full, then not only pus, but also urine and a small amount of feces can be released from the navel. Additionally, a person's temperature rises greatly. If you consult a doctor even at the first signs of an umbilical fistula, the recovery will be easier and faster. But for this you will have to conduct an operation.

Candidiasis

Fungal infections usually lead to foul odor, irritation and redness of the skin around the navel. Candida usually develops in warm and humid conditions, so the umbilical folds are the optimal environment for the fungus to grow rapidly. The reason for the development of candidiasis is often a hormonal imbalance, for example, which occurred in the process carrying a child if a person does not perform enough hygienic measures or refuses them at all.

Also, a course of antibiotics or hormonal contraceptives can provoke the development of candidiasis. A similar pathology is diagnosed in diabetics and in some other diseases. Another clear sign of a fungal infection is the appearance of cheesy discharge from the umbilical fossa.

Pregnancy

When carrying a child, a woman's abdominal cavity begins to grow. This happens especially actively in the third trimester. The skin on the abdomen in the area of ​​the umbilical fossa simply does not have time to rebuild. According to the ongoing changes, this leads to the fact that the area around the navel begins to stretch. This provokes inflammation and the appearance of an unpleasant odor. In this situation, you must definitely contact an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Infections and inflammations

The most common reason that can be classified under this category is body piercing. This is a popular procedure among young people, during which parts of the body are pierced. Many people perform a navel piercing at home or at home, as it is considered a simple procedure. However, while it is permissible to pierce the earlobes without a medical license, the navel is a completely different area that is much easier to harm. It is equally important to carry out the treatment of the area in which the puncture was performed.

If this is not done, then the inflammatory process is guaranteed to begin and an infection will develop. There is also a danger that the puncture is done with a non-sterile instrument. The problem may be with the choice of piercing jewelry.

Some guys and girls choose jewelry or low-quality and cheap materials. They can trigger allergies and inflammation. In this case, there is a pungent odor and purulent discharge. The infection, in turn, is capable of provoking omphalitis and subsequent complications.

In addition to purulent discharge, patients also sometimes complain of a strong increase in body temperature, swelling and other problems. If such symptoms appear, you must immediately call an ambulance, as bacteria may have begun to grow.

Phlegmon

This is a very serious illness that is accompanied by numerous symptoms, one of which is pus from the navel. The danger of this pathology lies in the fact that phlegmon can spread to the corresponding tissues and affect larger areas. Moreover, it grows not only in breadth, but also in depth.

You can determine the phlegmon during palpation. In this case, the person complains of severe pain, and the temperature rises sharply. It is very important to start treatment in a timely manner, since phlegmon can very quickly develop into a necrotic stage.

Treatment methods

The navel festers and an unpleasant odor appears, which means that the correct treatment must be prescribed. If an adult has such symptoms, then it is necessary to find out exactly its cause. It is necessary to undergo a full diagnosis and tell the doctor about all the actions that were performed before the appearance of an unpleasant odor or pus. Treatment depends on the pathology that triggers the symptoms.

Disease causing pus in the navel	Peculiarities
Umbilical fistula or cyst	In this case, as a rule, surgical intervention is always required, since otherwise the patient will face serious complications.
Omphalitis	As in the case of other inflammatory processes that occur against the background of an infection, conservative treatment is allowed. As a rule, therapy consists in the fact that the patient needs to periodically process the umbilical scar with antibacterial or antiseptic agents. It is also important to ensure that the skin in this area remains dry and clean at all times.
Diabetes mellitus and other pathological conditions	If the appearance of an unpleasant odor and pus is caused by diabetes mellitus, then it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment that will reduce the sugar levels. However, it is impossible to completely recover from such a disease, so it will be necessary to constantly take medications and monitor your diet.
Disease of the genitourinary system	In this case, the pathology itself is treated directly, but it is additionally required to wash the scar with a soft washcloth and soap. After taking a shower, it is necessary to process it with chlorhexidine or miramistin. Mud plugs must not be allowed to appear.

Drug treatment

If the patient has a simple omphalitis or another similar disease is diagnosed, then sometimes antiseptic preparations or alcoholic solutions of iodine are sufficient. Also, the doctor may recommend local treatment with a solution of brilliant green (brilliant green) or manganese potassium (no more than 5%). Ointments are highly effective.

Synthomycin liniment

This ointment is prescribed for purulent-inflammatory lesions of the skin. The drug fights well against infections, ulcers, burns, insect bites and other injuries. The ointment is applied externally. After the drug has been applied to the skin, a sterile gauze bandage should be applied over it. The procedure must be performed several times a day every 1-3 days. The course of treatment usually does not exceed a week.

Before using the ointment, you need to clarify the contraindications. For example, this medication should not be used if the patient has eczema, fungal infections of the skin, or psoriasis.

Also, the ointment is not recommended for use with:

• oppressed hematopoiesis;
• intermittent porphyria;
• hepatic or renal failure.

During pregnancy and lactation, the ointment can be used only if, in the opinion of the doctor, such a remedy is the least risk in treating pus in the navel.

Polymyxin-m sulfate

An adult's navel festers - this is a very unpleasant symptom that you can get rid of if you apply this ointment. It is an antibiotic that is used after the pus has been removed. It is necessary to apply a thin layer of ointment to the affected navel 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor. However, since this is an antibiotic, albeit a local one, the course usually lasts about 10 days.

The active component of the drug is produced by bacteria of the spore-forming type. Thanks to this, the agent is able to have a bactericidal effect. The drug does not have many contraindications. It cannot be used in case of liver or kidney failure, as well as in case of intolerance to the active substance.

Baneocin

This is a combined remedy, which includes 2 antibiotics at once: bacitracin and neomycin. The first belongs to the category of polypeptide antibiotics. It is especially effective against gram-positive microorganisms. Neomycin is an aminoglycoside.

The drug should be applied to the navel 2-4 times a day. In this case, redness and dryness of the skin may appear. This is considered normal. But in case of a more acute reaction, you need to stop using Baneocin. You can use the drug only with full confidence that the patient does not have an intolerance to one of the antibiotics or any of the excipients.

Bactroban

The navel festers in an adult with some lesions, which can quickly spread to the internal organs. This means that it is necessary to stop the formation of pus faster and more efficiently. Sometimes there is no time to find out the exact causes of a symptom, and then doctors recommend using a broad-spectrum antibiotic for external use.

Bactroban (also called Mupirocin) is obtained from the fermentation of fluorescent pseudomonas. The drug blocks the protein in bacteria, so their reproduction stops.

The product has a unique structure and specific effect. In the case of local application, the drug acts as a bacteriostatic agent. If the concentration is increased, then bactericidal properties are added.

You need to apply an ointment or cream 3 times a day. The course of treatment lasts from 7 to 10 days. The composition should in no case be used in the treatment of children, even when it comes to local application of the drug.

With necrotic or phlegmous omphalitis, therapeutic measures can only be carried out in a hospital. In this case, antibiotics are also prescribed. They are given by injection. If the situation is very difficult, then surgical intervention is required. The patient is fitted with drainage and the pus is removed.

Surgical treatment is also prescribed if the patient is diagnosed with a urachus cyst. Although there are conservative methods of treating this pathology, they are rarely used due to their low effectiveness.

From folk remedies, compresses and rinsing can be distinguished. For example, you can make a decoction of chamomile. When using it for rinsing, it is important to ensure that it is not very hot. This will only make the situation worse. It is also prohibited to perform any other procedures that involve heating the skin. In such an environment, bacteria will spread at a tremendous rate.

Possible consequences and complications

Most of the diseases described above rarely stop at the first phase and progress to more serious complications. For example, with omphalitis in a person, the general condition begins to gradually deteriorate, the temperature rises slightly, sometimes phlegmon of the anterior abdominal wall forms.

After that, a serious increase in body temperature begins to 38 ° C or more. If it comes to a necrotic form of pathology, which is the consequences of a phlegmonous form, then in this case the process will begin to affect all internal organs located under the anterior abdominal wall.

It will also provoke necrosis of the skin, including the subcutaneous tissue. When the infection spreads to the umbilical vessels, umbilical sepsis may develop. Therefore, it is extremely important to stop such pathologies in a timely manner. If the treatment is carried out in a timely manner, then complete recovery occurs quite quickly and there will be no further complications for the person.

If the patient suffers from a non-overgrown duct in the navel, it will provoke severe intestinal or mucous discharge. The situation will gradually worsen. In the case of a long inflammatory process, a purulent abscess will begin to open up through the navel. If surgical excision and correction of defects are not performed in a timely manner, the lesions will also begin to spread deeper and affect the internal organs. The consequences of all this can be fatal.

Therefore, it is important not to self-medicate unless the pus and bad odor are caused by poor hygiene. Therefore, do not self-medicate. It is better to contact the therapist at the place of registration first, who will issue a referral to the surgeon. The specialist will carry out a comprehensive diagnosis and will be able to choose the optimal treatment plan, determine the dosage of antibiotics, if you need to take them.

Thus, the navel can fester in adults for a variety of reasons. Some of them are harmless, but more often they are about serious defeats. You need to be especially careful if, in addition to pus, curdled discharge begins to appear in the navel, the body temperature rises and other symptoms are added.

Video about diseases of the navel

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