Suggest Treatment For Bleeding From Navel

Posted on Tue, 3 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 3 Mar 2015 Answered on

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has had an oozing bloody belly button for several days...it is also painful to touch and feels as like something is stabbing when sitting up from and laying down position or when standing up from sitting down. He is on antibiotics for something unrelated and has been for 5 days....the belly button thing started 2 days ago...any idea?

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Patent urachus or hernia can be the reason.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Can you please attach a photo of it so I can give more precise answer?

Two issues can cause such symptoms. First is a hernia which has stuck. Second is a patent urachus.
Hernia usually appears after lifting some object or coughing. A lump in umbilicus is very common, however it can be invisible.

Urachus is a kind of connection between bladder and umbilicus. It should seal off after a birth. In some cases it may remain open so urine reaches umbilicus and causes infection. Bad smelling discharge from belly button is very characteristic. Urinary tract infection can be also present.

I suggest him to consult general surgeon. Both issues should be fixed with surgery. Abdominal ultrasound should be done.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar