For the past few weeks I've noticed an itchiness and redness in my navel. This is coupled with stomach pains on occasion (a few times a week) and often an unconfortable feeling of a tugging behind where my belly button is. Tugging or pulling is the only way I can describe it.

Also fluid keeps leaking from it, as does an unpleasant odour.

What could this be and what should I do about it?

Thank you,
Beth

I notice that you post on the piercing board - is your navel pierced?

Hi Judy - my navel was pierced in the past but it has been healed for a couple of years now and the leaking/itchiness is coming from somewhere that seems to be right inside the nevel itself, not the skin surrounding it, if that makes any sense. Thanks for your reply

About 8 years ago I investigated (I'm a liability investigator) a navel piercing that went terribly wrong. Girl ended up with an infection some two years after the piercing. Started with a discharge and she ended up in the hospital with quite an infection.

Turned out she was under age (even though she had parental consent) so she sued the tattoo artist who did the piercing and won a large settlement.

I have stepchildren. When they say "piercing" I tell this story - they're sick of hearing it but I'm not sick of telling it.

Oh wow. That sounds pretty nasty. I'm not sure it's that because the scar from my old piercing is intact, I can feel it and it doesn't hurt nor is any fluid leaking from there. But I think I might get it checked out at the doctors if the stomach pain doesn't stop soon. Thanks, hope your stepchildren listen to you!

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Originally Posted by HorrorQueen

Oh wow. That sounds pretty nasty. I'm not sure it's that because the scar from my old piercing is intact, I can feel it and it doesn't hurt nor is any fluid leaking from there. But I think I might get it checked out at the doctors if the stomach pain doesn't stop soon. Thanks, hope your stepchildren listen to you!

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I tell them to listen on the off chance I might some day say something important - so far I haven't.

Let us know what the Doctor says. (Enjoy your responses, by the way. Comprehensive, well thought out. Welcome to AMHD!)

Thank you very much Judy, it's nice to hear someone likes what I'm thinking! :)

I will let you know what the doctor says, from Googling the problem it could be just an infection or (with the stomach pains included) a urachal (I hope that's spelled correctly) cyst.

Either way, the doctor should hopefully be able to sort it out for me.

Thanks for the advice! And the kids should listen to you by the way, I've been reading your responses and you give great advice!

Please come back and let us know what the Doctor says - I'm always interested if I'm on target, off target, somewhere in between.

I hope you stay with the site and contribute. And thanks for the compliment!

I really hope the original poster will update us on the diagnosis.

My toddler relative most likely has a urachal cyst.

She has an appt with surgeon in 2 days.
I'd like to know if they most usually do laparoscopic surgery for this.
And what is the average hospital stay.

Anyone who can help, I'd be grateful. And no, she's never had a piercing(age 3)!