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General Medical Questions
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Q: What are some possible causes of pain and discharge in the bellybutton?
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The Trusted Source
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Claire McCarthy, M.D.

Claire McCarthy, M.D., is an assistant professor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician at Children's Hospital of Boston, and medical director of the Martha Eliot Health Center, a neighborhood health service of Children's Hospital. She is a senior medical editor for Harvard Health Publications.

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April 02, 2009
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A:

Pain and discharge generally mean there is an infection.

Infections in the belly button, or umbilicus, can have various causes. Sometimes it is an infection of the skin in the area. A scratch can get infected, especially if it’s not kept entirely clean. Sometimes there are cysts within or connected to the umbilicus, leftovers from before birth. These can get infected. And, rarely, there can be a connection to the bladder or intestine that can lead to infection.

You should see your doctor immediately to figure out exactly what is going on. Treatment will likely include antibiotics, but minor surgery could be necessary.

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