Why Is My Belly Button Bleeding?

Is bleeding from the belly button serious?

Discharge – Dozens of types of bacteria call your belly button home. Many are harmless, but some can cause infections. That’s especially true if you cut or break the skin near your belly button or if you don’t clean your belly button regularly. Clean your belly button when you bathe and you can prevent infections.

• Just use soap and water and your fingertip or a washcloth.
• If your belly button is “leaking” clear or colored discharge or blood, you may have a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection,
• Crusty skin, strong odor, itching, and redness are also signs of infection.
• If discharge and crust stick around after you wash your belly button, you should see your doctor.

Your doctor may prescribe a prescription or over-the-counter antibacterial or anti-fungal cream or ointment. It depends on the type of infection. In some cases, you may need antibiotic pills. Don’t use lotion or cream on your belly button unless your doctor tells you to.

What causes bleeding in the belly button?

Treatment – If a parent or caregiver notices gas in the surrounding tissue, they should seek emergency medical attention. Treatment may include surgery. Otherwise, treatment tends to include antibiotics. To care for a newborn’s umbilical stump:

Always wash and sanitize the hands before handling the umbilical stump.Keep the area clean and dry.Avoid covering the stump with a diaper.Avoid using antiseptics, lotions, or alcohol-based products on the umbilical stump.Avoid pulling on the cord. Instead, allow it to fall off naturally.

Pregnant women may experience belly button changes. The skin and muscles in the abdomen stretch as the uterus expands to accommodate the growing fetus. This expansion may stretch or tear the skin near the belly button. Bleeding from an outward-facing belly button can occur if someone accidentally scratches it.

keeping the area clean and dryremoving any belly button piercingsapplying aloe vera gel to soothe irritated or sensitive skin

A person should contact a doctor if they experience any bleeding in or around the belly button in addition to any of the following symptoms:

red, swollen skin that is painful or tender to the touchsevere or persistent pain around the belly buttonfever nausea vomiting

Belly button bleeding rarely requires emergency medical treatment. Treatments vary depending on the underlying cause. Doctors can treat infections using oral and topical medications. A ruptured cyst may heal on its own. Doctors can drain or surgically remove large cysts that do not heal on their own and those that do not respond to medication.

wearing loose clothing around the stomach to avoid irritating the belly button skinmaintaining good personal hygiene by bathing regularly with warm water and soapkeeping the belly button area dry keeping any belly button piercings clean

People who notice any signs of infection should speak with a healthcare provider. Depending on the cause, they may prescribe an antifungal or antibiotic medication. Untreated infections can spread to other areas of the body and cause serious, sometimes life threatening, complications.

How do you know if your belly button is infected?

What complications can occur due to a belly button yeast infection? – Belly button yeast infections frequently return, especially if your navel area isn’t kept healthy and dry. Yeast infections are more likely to return in people with weakened immune systems,

1. A note from Cleveland Clinic A belly button yeast infection can be itchy and unpleasant.
2. But it’s easily treatable.
3. You can prevent belly button yeast infections by keeping your navel area clean and dry.
4. If you have symptoms of a belly button yeast infection, call your healthcare provider.
5. They’ll be able to correctly diagnose your condition.

They may recommend an antifungal treatment so you’ll be feeling better soon. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information

Why is my belly button leaking?

Summary – Bacterial infections, fungal infections, and cysts may cause belly button discharge. Belly buttons can become infected if the skin is cracked, overly moist, or pierced. In addition, laparoscopic surgery through the naval may pose a risk for infection. Treatment includes antibiotics, antifungals, or drainage.

Should I go to the doctor if my belly button is bleeding?

Treatment – Your doctor will likely recommend surgery to remove the nodule or lump. Your doctor may also recommend treating this condition with hormone therapy. Surgery is preferred over hormone treatment because your risk for recurrence is less following surgery than it is with hormone therapy.

a foul smelling discharge from your bellybutton, which could indicate an infectionredness, swelling, and warmth around the site of a bellybutton piercingan enlarged bump near or on your bellybutton

If you have black, tarry stools or vomit a dark, coffee-colored substance, you may have bleeding in your digestive tract. This is a medical emergency, and you should seek immediate medical attention. Infections are preventable and treatable. Contact your doctor as soon as you suspect an infection.

Wear loose clothing around your abdomen.Maintain good personal hygiene, especially around the bellybutton.Keep the area around your bellybutton dry.If you’re obese, reduce your sugar intake to help prevent yeast infections.If you believe that you may have a bacterial infection, clean your bellybutton with warm saline water and pat it dry. Properly care for any piercings in the naval area. Reduce alcohol intake to prevent any liver damage that could lead to cirrhosis. This is a risk factor for developing portal hypertension.

What your belly button says about your health?

What does your belly button say about your health? – Your belly button is just a scar Our belly buttons are actually just scars. As soon as we are born, our umbilical cords get clamped and cut off. The remaining skin then shrivels up, turns black, dries up, and falls off – leaving your very first,

1. Dr Giuseppe Aragona, GP and Online Doctor for explains: “Your belly button, or navel as its otherwise known, is essentially the areas for which your umbilical cord was attached.
2. The umbilical cord was the tube which carried nutrient’s from your mother to you.” Most of us have innies Most of us have innies – which basically means that our belly buttons point inwards.

Some people though, have outies – where their belly buttons protrude inwards. Approximately of the population have outies, making them about as common as those who are left-handed. Dr Aragona says, “Every belly button is different, with different shapes, sizes and skin creases.

1. The shape and dent of your navel essentially determines how the umbilical cord heals.
2. Belly buttons don’t necessarily mean anything in particular about your health, however some people would argue that your belly button says a lot about you as a person.” It’s teeming with bacteria Belly buttons are low-key gross.

Belly button fluff is a real thing, and guess what? It’s packed full of, This is because our navels have folds of skin and quite a few crevices (especially if you’ve got an innie). The folds and creases provide a nice warm, moist place for bacteria to grow.

Most of the time the bacteria remains at a low level, but sometimes it can become dense, which in turn causes an unpleasant smell. This is why it’s important to keep your navel clean and dry. Always be sure to wash it properly when, and don’t forget to dry it properly so that it doesn’t stay moist (e.g.

the ideal environment for bacteria to grow). It’s actually an endogenous zone Our belly buttons are packed full of nerve endings, which means this area might be ticklish or sensitive. A lot of people like making their belly buttons a focal point when getting intimate with their partner.

Is it bad to pick stuff out of your belly button?

Poor Georg Steinhauser. A professor of ecology and radiation studies at Leibniz University in Germany, Steinhauser would love to talk about the important environmental research his team is conducting. But back in 2009, he published a study on the nature of “navel fluff,” which is the technical term for belly button lint.

He’s been hounded by curious patients and journalists ever since. “It was a fun study, and I enjoyed the public attention for a while,” he says. But now he’s over it and ready to move on. Steinhauser’s study captured the public’s attention because it tapped into a very human curiosity. Turns out, navel lint is exactly what you think it is: a collection of stray clothing fibers.

Just as your dryer collects rubbed-off threads and fibers in its lint trap, your belly button can trap small particles that slough off of the clothing you wear. “New clothes especially have some extra or loose fibers, and so you may notice extra navel fluff if you’ve been wearing a new shirt,” says Dr.

• Rob Danoff, a physician and director of the family medicine practice at Aria-Jefferson Health in Philadelphia.
• This also explains why your navel lint may change colors.
• I’ve had a patient come in worried because his belly button lint had turned blue, and I told him it was probably from his blue jeans,” he says.

Danoff treats a lot of kids, who ask about belly button lint more than adults do. He’s even collected patients’ navel fluff and sent it to a lab for analysis. Apart from clothing fibers, the analysis turned up dead skin cells and bacteria. “There’s a little ecosystem in your navel, but it seems harmless,” he says.

• Research backs him up on that.
• A 2012 study from a group of U.S.
• Universities found the bacteria in your belly button are “highly diverse” but do not seem associated with risks for infection or other health issues.
• If your belly button doesn’t seem to accumulate much lint, there are reasons for that.
• Danoff says that “outies,” or shallow belly buttons, are less likely to catch and hold excess fluff.

On the other hand, Steinhauser’s study found that men with hairy bellies tend to have a lot more navel lint. That’s because abdominal hair both rubs fibers off of clothing and channels them toward the belly button. “If you have a deep belly button, which is more common if you’re overweight, that can also lead to more navel fluff build-up,” Danoff adds.

1. The only issues he’s encountered with the stuff stemmed from people trying too hard to dig it out, he says.
2. If you stick a fingernail in there and really scrape to get the fluff out, that can break the skin and could lead to an infection,” he explains.
3. Some people also clean their belly buttons with cotton swabs soaked in alcohol, which he says can cause dryness and irritation.

You’re better off just holding your belly button open and spraying it with shower water. “Once the fluff builds up enough, you can pull it out easily when you’re in the shower and it gets wet,” he says. If you’re really worried about your lint—or you’re headed to the beach and concerned someone may notice it—you could also use a wet cotton swab to gently work the lint out.

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Are belly button infections common?

Infection of the belly button (omphalitis) most commonly occurs in newborn babies. Adults can get an infection of the navel (umbilicus) but it’s uncommon. There are many reasons your belly button may become red, swollen or have discharge, and it may not be a skin issue. Here I share what you need to know and how to treat a belly button infection.

Why is my belly button wet and smelly?

Cysts – Another cause of smell around the belly button is an infected cyst, A cyst is a small lump underneath the skin. They can be common and do not usually cause pain unless they become infected. An infected cyst will be red, inflamed, sore, and tender to the touch.

Pus may come out of a cyst, and this usually has an unpleasant smell. Areas of the body, including the armpits or feet, are more likely to become moist with sweat and smell. This is because bacteria break down the sweat and create a waste product that has a strong odor. If the belly button has trapped dead skin and sweat, it is likely to smell sweaty.

A fungal infection is also likely to smell bad, especially if there is pus around the area. If the belly button becomes infected, a person should see a doctor for advice and prescribe medication if needed. The symptoms of an infection are redness, itching, and swelling.

Sometimes, there may be fluid or pus, which can harden to form a crust around the area. A person should see a doctor if they think that a cyst has become infected. Bursting or popping the cyst is not recommended, as this can cause further problems. If the odor is a result of the belly button becoming dirty or greasy, carefully washing it is the best way to get rid of the smell.

If belly button odor is due to an infection, an appointment should be made with a doctor who can give advice and prescribe treatment if needed. Washing prevents a buildup of dead skin, sweat, and oils that the body produces naturally. Frequent washing also removes germs.

Using warm water and mild soap, use a washcloth to gently clean around and just inside the belly button. Rinse with clean, warm water and dry with a towel to make sure that all water has been removed from the belly button. Showering or bathing regularly can help to prevent skin problems and odor. Areas of the body, such as the belly button or feet, can get missed, but these need as much regular cleaning as other areas of the body.

Washing is necessary particularly after sweating a lot, for example, in hot weather or after exercising. A range of mild soaps is available for purchase online, A person may be more at risk of belly button smell in the following circumstances:

they have diabetesthey recently had a belly button piercingthey are overweight

Can a belly button infection heal itself?

Treatment for Navel Fungal Infections – If you’ve got a red, sore and itchy navel accompanied by unpleasant odours, it may be a sign of a navel fungal infection. Whatever fungal infection it is, it won’t go away by itself – you need to act fast. Navel fungal infections must be treated to completely eradicate the infection.

When should I be worried about my belly button infection?

Who’s at risk? – You’re at higher risk of problems if you have an “innie” belly button or if you have your belly button pierced. That’s because deeper belly buttons and piercings are more apt to become infected.

The first step to a clean belly button may seem obvious, but it bears mentioning. A with plain old soap and water should remove lint, dirt, and some bacteria. You don’t need to scrub, but you should make sure the shower washes away obvious grime. If you have an “outie,” lucky you: Your belly button is probably pretty clean. Those with deeper navels may need to get a little more aggressive about cleanliness. Dip your finger or a soft washcloth in a solution of saltwater (about a teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water) and gently massage the inside of your navel. This should loosen stubborn germs that can cause odor. Then rinse with plain water and pat it dry. Resist the temptation to apply lotions or creams to your belly button. The extra moisture can contribute to bacterial or fungal growth.

If you have a navel piercing, you’ll need to pay special attention to your belly button. You can use the same saltwater solution mentioned above:

Wet a clean cloth in the solution and apply it to the area as a warm compress several times a day. This should remove any discharge or crust and allow you to gently move the jewelry through the piercing. Pat it dry when you’re finished.

Remember, if your belly button still smells and doesn’t respond to these approaches, you should visit your doctor. If you develop redness, swelling, pain, or discharge, your belly button could be infected. This is especially likely if you have a navel piercing.

Do I need to go to the doctor if my belly button is infected?

Everyone has a belly button, It’s the small fold of skin that formed in your abdomen after the umbilical cord was clipped at birth. Belly buttons can be concave (innies) or convex (outies). ‌ Most of the time, belly buttons don’t bother you. But like any part of your skin, it can be susceptible to infection or injury.

If you notice pain, swelling, or discharge from your navel, you may have an infection or injury.‌ Learn more about what can go wrong with a belly button. If you have an “innie” belly button, the folds of skin can trap moisture and debris. Damp, warm, dark places are prime environments for bacterial growth.

If you have bacteria flourishing in your navel, it can lead to an infection,‌‌‌ You’ll notice the symptoms of infection if that happens. The signs include:‌

RednessPainSwellingFoul smellPus or other fluids leaking out

If you think you have an infection in your belly button, you should call your doctor so that you can have the area cleaned carefully. You may also need prescription antibiotics to kill the bacteria before it spread to other parts of your body. Bacteria isn’t the only thing that grows well in an area like the belly button.

RednessItchingPainDischarge

Call your doctor if you suspect a yeast infection in your belly button. They may suggest treating it with an over-the-counter, anti-fungal cream. They may also advise you to keep the area clean and dry. If that doesn’t work, they may prescribe a stronger anti-fungal treatment.

Epidermoid cysts can appear anywhere on your skin. They happen when epidermal cells get trapped and multiply under the skin, causing lumps that may be painful or tender to the touch. These cysts aren’t harmful but can be annoying or uncomfortable.‌ If you have a lump or mass in your belly button, you should see a doctor.

They can examine it and make sure it isn’t something more serious, such as skin cancer. If it’s a cyst, you may need to have it surgically removed. Your doctor can likely perform the procedure in their office. An umbilical hernia happens when there’s a gap in the muscle directly behind your belly button.

• A section of your intestine can protrude through that gap, resulting in an “outie” belly button.
• Not all outies are hernias, though.
• Some navels protrude naturally.
• Umbilical hernias are most common in babies and don’t cause any pain.
• In many cases, the child’s muscles will close on their own, and the hernia will go away around age five.

If the hernia doesn’t heal on its own, the child will need surgery to push the intestine into place and close the gap between the muscles. This is a common procedure with very few risks. The child will need general anesthesia for the operation, but they can usually go home the same day as the operation.

Recovery takes about a week. Adults can also develop umbilical hernias, though it isn’t very common. Surgery is the only way to repair an adult umbilical hernia. If you think you have an umbilical hernia, your doctor can help you plan for surgery. In very rare cases, dead skin and debris can build up inside a belly button and cause a navel stone,

The residue of dead skin cells, sebum from the skin, and other dirt or debris clump up and form a solid mass. The resulting “stone” can look like the material you might find in a blackhead on your skin.‌ Navel stones are not harmful, and they usually don’t cause pain.

• Your doctor can likely remove it in their office.
• You can prevent them from coming back by keeping your navel clean.
• To avoid infection or build-up of dirt and grime in your belly button, make sure to keep it clean and dry.
• Soap and water are effective for cleaning the skin inside your navel.
• You may need to use your fingertip, a washcloth, or a cotton swab to gently clean inside any folds in your navel.‌ Use your towel to gently pat the area in and around your belly button dry after bathing.

When possible, wear clothes made from breathable fabrics, so you don’t trap sweat and dirt between the clothing and your skin. Call your doctor if you’re concerned about any pain or swelling in your navel.

How long does it take for the belly button to heal?

What to Expect: The belly button should be healed and dry by 7 days.

What is belly button cheese?

4. You have a cyst. – Another potential cause is a cyst. An is a closed sac underneath the skin that is filled with keratins (a type of protein in your skin and hair) and debris, says Dr. Zubritsky. It usually forms, which is often the case in a belly button.

As skin grows, dead skin cells can’t be shed like it can elsewhere on the body. It can leak a cheese-like substance and have a foul-smelling odor, but it is typically not dangerous and does not require treatment. But if it starts causing symptoms of signs of inflammation, see your derm or primary care doctor for guidance.

They may recommend putting a warm, moist compress over your belly button to help it drain and heal. The bottom line: A smelly belly button is not something you need to worry about unless you spot other concerning symptoms like redness, flakiness, or discharge. Jackie Lam is the senior health editor at Women’s Health where she oversees health and weight loss content for the website and the Mind section of the print magazine. Originally from Hong Kong, she’s a journalist with more than 10 years of experience and a proud graduate of Cornell University and the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

What is the black thing in my belly button?

4 min read Belly button lint is a fact of life for anyone with an “innie,” or concave navel. Regular bathing will usually keep your navel free from lint or other dirt and grime. In very rare cases, dirt, oil, and other debris can get trapped in your navel and turn into a navel stone.

Learn more about navel stones and how to prevent them. A navel stone is sometimes called an omphalolith or umbolith. It is a condition where substances like sebum, or skin oil, hair, dead skin cells, and dirt can accumulate and form a hardball. The stone is usually a dark color and firm to the touch. They may resemble a large blackhead in the opening of the navel.

Some navel stones protrude and are easy to see. Others are deep inside the navel. You might not know one is forming. They develop over a long period of time. It can take years for a navel stone to become so large that you can feel it or see it. Your navel, or belly button, is the small round spot on your lower abdomen that marks where the umbilical cord was attached before you were born.

• Navels can be concave (an “innie”) or protrude slightly (an “outie”).
• ‌ Trapped debris.
• Concave navels can trap debris such as dirt, lint from clothing, or the natural oils that occur on your skin.
• Some belly buttons can be fairly deep.
• This makes them hard to clean thoroughly.
• People who are obese, elderly, or disabled may have trouble cleaning their navels.

If debris builds up, it can start to stick together and form a small, hard ball. Over time, the ball will get larger and might become visible. Some navel stones stay hidden in the folds of skin. Appearance. Navel stones are usually dark brown or black. They are also dry and hard to the touch.

When doctors examine them under the microscope, they can whether the stone is made up of dead skin, hair, sebum, or other debris that has built up in the navel. Navel stones aren’t usually painful. They may look unsightly, which can make you want to ask a doctor about removing them. If you can’t see it, you may not even know it’s there.

Sometimes, the stone starts to irritate the skin inside your navel. This can lead to discomfort. You may also notice pain, discharge from your navel, or an unpleasant odor. The navel stone itself isn’t a health problem or a symptom of an underlying condition.

1. It’s just an accumulation of dirt and oil in a spot that is hard to clean.
2. But a stone can start to irritate the skin in and around your navel.
3. The irritation might lead to a skin infection inside your navel.
4. This will need medical attention.
5. The doctor treating the skin infection may also be the person who discovers your navel stone.

Removal. The only treatment for a navel stone is to remove it. Your doctor may be able to pull it loose with instruments like forceps. Sometimes, doctors will use a liquid to soften the navel stone and make it easier to pull out. In some cases, the doctor might need to remove it surgically by making a small incision in the surrounding skin.

The stone will then come loose more easily. If there is an infection in the skin, your doctor will also treat that. ‌Testing. Your doctor may want to test the stone after it has been removed. This is usually just a precaution to make sure it’s actually a navel stone and not some other type of growth. Navel stones take years to develop.

They don’t come back quickly if they come back at all. Hygiene. You can prevent navel stones by making sure to clear your navel regularly. Caregivers who take care of elderly or disabled people should be aware of the risk of navel stones and be proactive about hygiene for their patients.

Using soap and water regularly is a good cleaning method. If you have a particularly deep navel, you can use a cotton swab to gently clean inside it. Navel stones are quite rare. Most people will never develop one. Talk to your doctor in the unlikely event that you have a navel stone. They can help you safely remove it and treat any problems the stone causes in or around your navel.

Being careful about cleaning your belly button will prevent navel stones.

Is it OK to touch my belly button?

Keep your hands off your nails – Under both fingernails and toenails lives an incredible amount of dirt and bacteria. Even diligent hand washing will not completely eradicate these germs, according to the BBC, which is why doctors and nurses wear gloves.

People who absentmindedly pick at these body parts unwittingly loosen and release the various bits of grime and bacteria onto their hands, which can then be spread to other surfaces. Make an effort to break any nail-digging habits, as they are unhealthy for you and those around you. Your nails also reveal a lot about your health –– find out what yours say.

Originally Published: April 09, 2019

What organ is behind the belly button?

Periumbilical pain is a type of abdominal pain that is localized in the region around or behind your belly button. This part of your abdomen is referred to as the umbilical region. It contains parts of your stomach, small and large intestine, and your pancreas.

Is a belly button infection serious?

Can a belly button infection be serious? – If left untreated, some belly button infections can become serious. As mentioned above, some infections are caused by bacteria that can spread to other parts of your body (including organs and blood), causing sepsis and other deadly conditions.

Should I be worried if my belly button piercing is bleeding?

Belly button piercing procedure – First, you will be asked to pick out jewellery for the piercing. We have a range of gem and metal colours to choose from, clear crystal double gem and single gem belly banana bars are the most popular. When you’re in the private piercing room, the navel will be cleaned with alcohol.

1. Then, your piercer will mark the piercing entry and exit site and you will be asked to stand up in a relaxed position and look in the mirror as this will most accurately show you how the jewellery will sit on your relaxed belly.
2. Once you and your piercer agree on the position, your skin will be held taught with a sterile clamp.

After that, a single-use needle will be used to pierce the belly followed by the 14 gauge jewellery. Expect a tiny bit of bleeding, swelling, or redness immediately after the piercing—that’s completely normal and should subside quickly.

How long does it take for your belly button to stop bleeding?

A newborn’s belly button may bleed while the cord is falling off or shortly after it does. The umbilical cord supplies a fetus with nutrients from the mother. Once the baby is born, it no longer needs the umbilical cord to provide its nutrients, and so doctors cut the cord.

Eventually, the cord dries out and falls off, leaving behind a belly button in its place. Most often, newborn belly button bleeding is not a cause for concern but a regular part of the healing process. Occasionally though, it can signal a problem. Read on to find out why a newborn’s belly button may bleed, how to take care of the area, and when bleeding from a newborn’s belly button may need medical attention.

Most cases of belly button bleeding are natural. Many parents and caregivers may notice a small area of bleeding at the point where the newborn’s umbilical cord begins to separate from the body. Sometimes a newborn’s diaper or even a piece of clothing may rub against the umbilical cord.

This can irritate the area and cause bleeding as well. To stop a newborn baby’s belly button bleeding, hold a piece of clean gauze gently but firmly over the belly button area. A doctor should evaluate any bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure. Caring for the umbilical cord stump properly can help prevent or reduce belly button bleeding.

A new parent or caregiver can care for a newborn’s umbilical cord stump by:

Keeping the area dry, Keeping the umbilical cord stump dry can help the remaining cord dry out and fall off. Giving the baby a sponge bath while the cord stump is still attached, Instead of submerging the baby’s body in water, use sponge baths to wash the newborn to keep the area dry. Exposing the area to air, Keeping the stump uncovered for a little time each day can help it dry out. Changing the baby’s diapers regularly, A clean, dry diaper should prevent urine or stool from reaching the umbilical area and can help prevent infection. Letting the cord fall off on its own, Pulling at the stump or trying to remove the stump before it is ready to fall off can cause pain and bleeding and may lead to an infection.

While the stump is healing, avoid:

Covering the area with a diaper, A diaper can rub and irritate the area. Many diapers for newborns are cut lower at the front, so do not cover the belly button area. However, where this is not the case, fold the diaper down in the front so that it does not touch the stump or surrounding area. Rubbing alcohol on the stump, Rubbing alcohol may delay the cord from drying out. Most doctors do not recommend applying alcohol to a baby’s umbilical stump unless there is a specific reason for doing so. Tying anything around the cord, This can prevent the area from drying or cause injury to the baby.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most babies will lose their cord stumps in 10 to 14 days. However, it is not unusual for a baby’s umbilical cord to fall off as early as 1 week after birth or as late as 3 weeks after birth. It is typical for a baby’s umbilical cord to fall off before or after this time frame as well.

pus or cloudy, foul-smelling drainage from the belly button areared, warm skin surrounding the umbilical cord stump areaa fever of over 100.4°F the belly button area seems painful to the touch

While a bleeding belly button can cause alarm to new parents, some newborn belly button bleeding is nothing to worry about. Slight bleeding from the umbilical cord stump is generally not serious and usually resolves within the first few weeks after birth.

Can high blood pressure cause belly button to bleed?

Portal hypertension is an increase in the blood pressure within a system of veins called the portal venous system. Veins coming from the stomach, intestine, spleen, and pancreas merge into the portal vein, which then branches into smaller vessels and travels through the liver,

If the vessels in the liver are blocked due to liver damage, blood cannot flow properly through the liver. As a result, high pressure in the portal system develops. This increased pressure in the portal vein may lead to the development of large, swollen veins (varices) within the esophagus, stomach, rectum, or umbilical area (belly button).

Varices can rupture and bleed, resulting in potentially life-threatening complications. The most common cause of portal hypertension is cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is scarring which accompanies the healing of liver injury caused by hepatitis, alcohol, or other less common causes of liver damage. In cirrhosis, the scar tissue blocks the flow of blood through the liver.

Other causes of portal hypertension include blood clots in the portal vein, blockages of the veins that carry the blood from the liver to the heart, a parasitic infection called schistosomiasis, and focal nodular hyperplasia, a disease seen in people infected with HIV, the virus that may lead to AIDS.

Sometimes the cause is unknown. The onset of portal hypertension may not always be associated with specific symptoms that identify what is happening in the liver. But if you have liver disease that leads to cirrhosis, the chance of developing portal hypertension is high.

Gastrointestinal bleeding marked by black, tarry stools or blood in the stools, or vomiting of blood due to the spontaneous rupture and hemorrhage from varicesAscites (an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen )Encephalopathy or confusion and forgetfulness caused by poor liver function Reduced levels of platelets, blood cells that help form blood clots, or white blood cells, the cells that fight infection

Usually, doctors make the diagnosis of portal hypertension based on the presence of ascites or of dilated veins or varices as seen during a physical exam of the abdomen or the anus, Various lab tests, X-ray tests, and endoscopic exams may also be used.

Unfortunately, most causes of portal hypertension cannot be treated. Instead, treatment focuses on preventing or managing the complications, especially the bleeding from the varices. Diet, medications, endoscopic therapy, surgery, and radiology procedures all have a role in treating or preventing the complications.

Other treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and on how well your liver is functioning. Treatment may include:

Endoscopic therapy. This is usually the first line of treatment for variceal bleeding and consists of either banding or sclerotherapy. Banding is a procedure in which a gastroenterologist uses rubber bands to block off the blood vessel to stop bleeding. Sclerotherapy is occasionally used when banding cannot be used and is a procedure in which a blood-clotting solution is injected into the bleeding varices to stop bleeding. Medications. Nonselective beta-blockers ( nadolol or propranolol ) may be prescribed alone or in combination with endoscopic therapy to reduce the pressure in varices and further reduce the risk of bleeding. Nonselective beta blockers are also prescribed to prevent a first variceal hemorrhage in a patient with varices that are felt to be at risk for bleeding. Esophageal variceal banding has also been used for that purpose, especially in patients who can’t take beta blockers. The drug lactulose can help treat confusion and other mental changes associated with encephalopathy. Diuretics can be prescribed for fluid buildup.

Maintaining good nutritional habits and keeping a healthy lifestyle may help you avoid portal hypertension. Some of the things you can do to improve the function of your liver include the following:

Do not use alcohol or street drugs.Do not take any over-the-counter or prescription drugs or herbal medicines without first consulting your doctor or nurse. (Some medications may make liver disease worse.)Follow the dietary guidelines given by your health care provider, including eating a low-sodium (salt) diet. You will probably be required to consume no more than 2 grams of sodium per day. Reduced protein intake may be required if confusion is a symptom. A dietitian can create a meal plan for you.

If endoscopic therapy, drug therapy, and/or dietary changes don’t successfully control variceal bleeding or ascites (a buildup of fluid in your belly), you may require one of the following procedures to reduce the pressure in these veins. Decompression procedures include:

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): This procedure involves placing a stent (a tubular device) in the middle of the liver. The stent connects the hepatic vein with the portal vein, which reroutes blood flow in the liver and helps relieve pressure in abnormal veins. Distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS): Less common these days, this procedure connects the vein from your spleen to the vein from the left kidney in order to reduce pressure in the varices and control bleeding.

Before receiving either of these procedures for portal hypertension, the following tests may be performed to determine the extent and severity of your condition:

Evaluation of your medical historyA physical examBlood testsAngiogram (an X-ray test that takes pictures of the blood flow within a particular artery ) Ultrasound Endoscopy

Before either the TIPS or DSRS procedure, your doctor may ask you to have other tests, which may include an electrocardiogram (EKG) (a test that records the electrical activity of your heart), chest X-ray, or additional blood tests. If your doctor thinks you will need additional blood products (such as plasma), they will be ordered at this time.

During the TIPS procedure, a radiologist makes a tunnel through the liver with a needle, connecting the portal vein to one of the hepatic veins (veins connected to the liver). A metal stent is placed in this tunnel to keep it open. The procedure reroutes blood flow in the liver and reduces pressure in abnormal veins, not only in the stomach and esophagus, but also in the bowel and the liver.

This is not surgery. The radiologist performs the procedure within the vessels under X-ray guidance. The process lasts one to three hours, but you should expect to stay in the hospital overnight after the procedure. The TIPS procedure controls bleeding immediately in more than 90% of patients with portal hypertension.

1. However, in about 20% of patients, the shunt may narrow, causing varices to re-bleed at a later time.
2. Shunt narrowing or blockage can occur within the first year after the TIPS procedure.
3. Follow-up ultrasound exams are performed frequently after the TIPS procedure to detect these complications.
4. The signs of a blockage include increased ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen) and re-bleeding.

This condition can be treated by a radiologist who re-expands the shunt with a balloon or repeats the procedure to place a new stent. Encephalopathy, or abnormal functioning of the brain, can occur with severe liver disease. Hepatic encephalopathy can become worse when blood flow to the liver is reduced by TIPS, which may result in toxic substances reaching the brain without being metabolized first by the liver.

• This condition can be treated with medications, diet, or by making the shunt inaccessible.
• The DSRS is a surgical procedure during which the vein from the spleen (called the splenic vein) is detached from the portal vein and attached to the left kidney (renal) vein.
• This surgery selectively reduces the pressure in the varices and controls the bleeding associated with portal hypertension.

It is usually performed only in patients with good liver function. A general anesthetic is given before the surgery, which lasts about four hours. You should expect to stay in the hospital from seven to 10 days following surgery. The DSRS procedure provides good long-term control of bleeding in many people with portal hypertension.

DSRS controls bleeding in more than 90% of patients, with the highest risk of any re-bleeding occurring in the first month. Ascites, an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, can occur with DSRS surgery. This can be treated with diuretics and by restricting sodium in the diet. Follow-up care for TIPS and DSRS can differ depending on where the procedures are performed.

Here are basic guidelines:

Ten days after hospital discharge, meet with your surgeon or hepatologist (liver specialist) to evaluate your progress. Lab work will likely be done at this time.Six weeks after the TIPS procedure (and again three months after the procedure), an ultrasound is often done so your doctor can check that the shunt is functioning properly. You may have an angiogram (an X-ray of blood vessels) if the ultrasound indicates that there is a problem. You will also likely have lab work done at these times.Six weeks after the DSRS procedure (and again three months after the procedure), the surgeon will evaluate your progress. Lab work may be done at these times.Six months after either the TIPS or DSRS procedure, an ultrasound may be done to make sure the shunt is working properly.Twelve months after either procedure, another ultrasound of the shunt is often done. Also, you may have an angiogram so that your doctor can check the pressure within the veins across the shunt.If the shunt is working well, every six months after the first year of follow-up appointments, you may have an ultrasound, lab work, and visit with your doctor.More frequent follow-up visits may be necessary, depending on your condition.

Attend all follow-up appointments as scheduled to ensure that the shunt is functioning properly. Be sure to follow the dietary recommendations that your health care providers give you. Attend all follow-up appointments as scheduled to ensure that the shunt is functioning properly. Be sure to follow the dietary recommendations that your health care providers give you.

Liver transplant, This is done in cases of end-stage liver disease. Devascularization. A surgical procedure that removes the bleeding varices; this procedure is done when a TIPS or a surgical shunt is not possible or is unsuccessful in controlling the bleeding. Paracentesis, This is a procedure in which the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) is directly removed. The results are usually temporary and the procedure will need to be repeated as needed.