Discharge from Belly Button: What Should I Do?
I'm a 27-year-old female with a history of endometriosis, asthma, and anxiety, and I take duloxetine along with avoiding alcohol and smoking. Occasionally, I like to use a small camera to check my unusually deep belly button for lint or other debris. Just recently, while inspecting it, I discovered a pus-filled sac. Out of curiosity, I squeezed it, and I must admit I felt quite nauseated by the experience (I might include a clip of it; it’s truly unpleasant). For as long as I can remember, there's always been a small fleshy bump at the center of my belly button. When I was around ten years old, I had an incident where it expelled pus or some liquid for about a week, and it was both gross and embarrassing. However, I noticed that the bump shrank after that occurrence. Earlier, I managed to extract a fair amount of the pus. Unfortunately, my camera has since run out of battery, so I'm unable to re-investigate. Given this situation, I'm wondering about the implications of this episode. Should I seek an in-person consultation with a healthcare provider? My annual check-up is scheduled for October—can this wait until then? I appreciate any advice!
Answers (1)
9/15/2025, 12:50:37 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel concerned and curious about discharge from your belly button, especially given your history and the unusual experience you've had. A pus-filled sac in the belly button can indicate an infection or another underlying issue, and while it’s often not an emergency, it does warrant close attention.
Explanation
The small fleshy bump you mentioned could be a remnant of an umbilical cyst or an infection in the area. Pus generally indicates that the body is fighting off an infection. Since this has happened before, it’s important to monitor the situation closely as recurrent infections or changes can signal a need for further evaluation.
Next Steps
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Keep the Area Clean: Gently clean around your belly button with mild soap and water. Avoid irritating the area by using harsh chemicals or scrubbing too hard.
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Monitor Symptoms: Pay attention to any changes over the next few days. Look for increased redness, swelling, warmth, or if additional pus returns. Signs of fever or worsening symptoms would also be significant.
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Avoid Squeezing: Refrain from squeezing or probing the area further, as it could introduce bacteria and worsen the infection.
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Document Your Observations: Note any changes in size, color, the amount of discharge, or associated symptoms you experience. This will be helpful for your healthcare provider.
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Plan for Consultation: Given that your annual check-up is in October, if symptoms remain mild (no fever or severe pain) and if there's no rapid worsening, it could potentially wait until then. However, if things do not improve, or if they worsen, consider seeking an in-person consultation sooner.
Feel free to reach out if you have more specific questions or if your situation changes. I hope you find this advice helpful and that you take care of yourself!
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