belly button red, infected......???!? HELP

Help! My belly button (I'm an "innie") was feeling kinda weird, and when I looked at it it is red, oozing a little bit, sore and a little itchy! I am assuming that this is because of the weight I've lost in my stomach and from the skin folding over on itself..... has anyone else experienced this? What should I do? I did take pictures to send to my mom, she's a nurse,.... any suggestions on what to use on it? Oh also I am on antibiotics due to oral surgery earlier this week, could that be connected to it? Nothing else has changed, eg. clothes I'm wearing, exercise, etc.  Thanks for any guidance! Judy RNY 1/16/06 288/201/142ish 2 more lbs till Onederland, woo-hoo!

Ive had the same thing happen to me! I noticed one day that when I adjusted my pants all of a sudden I had a pain in my belly button and it was the inside part of the pants where you put the bitton through was going in my belly button and then since then I have noticed I have been having problems. I think its also the heat and the extra skin.. Its smells kinda bad too!  I put put a drop of peroxcide in it and then clean it out and it seems to be better!

Thanks so much!  Nice to know I'm not the only one!

I recently posted about this same thing! The replies helped.....everytime I get out of the shower, I dry it out real good. Its all better now!

I get it all the time too.  I use the peroxide to keep it dry and clean but if it gets particularly bad I treat it with the same cream I use for the rashes I get (yeast like) under my belly and breasts.  It usually clears up pretty fast.

THis is a yeast infection. Antibiotics make yeast grow. Just like a feminine yeast infection. I get these all the time, and diabetics are worse about getting them. My doctor prescribed using over the counter yeast infection creams on these types of infections. Under the breast, under the abdomen, and in the belly button. It works for me every time and I've been using this for years. Keeping it clean and dry are very important as well.

Now I have 2 more questions! 1. What is/are the name(s) of some of these creams?? would it be the same one you use for a vaginal yeast infection? 2. How do you search for keywords that have been in old messages? I have done that before, but I think it was before all the changes to the messageboards... Thanks y'all!

It is usually a fungal infection and you can use the same OTC medicine you would use on a yeast infection (monistat) or atheletes foot. Been there, done that! Terri

My Surgeon told me not to use creams because they stay wet and can cause other types of infections in these areas. He told me to dip a Q tip in alcohol and use that to clean it out. the alcohol will evaporate any wetness in there and kill germs. it kinda stings for a minute but goes right away.      hope this helps.    Carla

Thanks Carla! I