Question
Dear Doctor. I recently noticed that my navel is very smelly. There is also some discharge inside, sticky. It also has a slight odor normally, but it hasn’t been this severe before. What could this be? Could it be that I’ve touched my intestines? Is there any risk of danger to life? How should I treat it?
Answer
Based on your description, if the navel has an unpleasant odor, it is mostly caused by umbilical cord inflammation. It is mainly caused by bacterial infection or poor local hygiene. According to the symptoms, it is recommended to first use iodophor alcohol for disinfection, using it every 1-2 hours. Usually, it will take effect. If it still cannot be healed, oral antibiotics and intravenous fluid therapy for inflammation treatment can be tried. Chinese medicine treatment can also be considered. Additionally, pay attention to keeping the area clean and dry, and eat a light diet.