Question:
What is that awful smell coming from my navel? Is this natural

I have an awful smell coming from my navel. I clean it often and still it comes back. I do not feel any soreness or pain therefore, why is it smelling so bad?    — [Anonymous] (posted on September 7, 2001)

September 7, 2001
I had the same thing, it is a sligjht infection...
   — Marie B.

September 7, 2001
Marie was right, it is a slight infection. I had lap gallbladder surgery, and now have the same problem occasionally. Now I just take hydrogen peroxide, clean it well, then dry it as best I can, and apply some Neosporin with a Qtip. It works wonders! :)
   — Gail A.

September 7, 2001
I had the same thing but it was becasue I ahve a fold of fat above my belly button and It was becasue of swetting and It was really bad when I had the staples in from my Open RYN so I would say just clean it with peroxide and keep it dry. I put like a 4x4 on it to keep it dry and all was well
   — Heather G.

September 9, 2001
Rule of thumb: Anything that stinks is bad news!!!!!
   — Jackiis

September 15, 2001
Most likely it is a slight bacterial infection. What works almost overnight and is easy is a glob of bacitricin or other ointment antibiotic on a cotton swab and very carefully smear it in there. Works every time!
   — Joelle B.

August 30, 2003
OMG, I can't believe someone else experienced this also. I have just been searching Web.md and this site to see what the heck is going on with me. I have a little bit of pain, not much, but an awful smelling clear discharge from my belly button, has been going on for almost a week now. I will try what everyone here suggests. Thanks everyone so much!!!
   — Anastacha B.

August 30, 2003
I have the same problem, and have since way before WLS. My surgeon said it is a fistula. I see a plastic surgeon on 9/05 and will ask if it could be considered as grounds for a TT.
   — Tawnda C.

September 12, 2007
When I had this after taking anti-biotics once, my pharmacist friend told me it was fungus. I said, "Mushrooms!!" When she could stop laughing she said that is it "fungal" like athlete's foot, and to treat it with lotromin ? spelling
   — sry48