Although with proper hygiene and care the problem is quite avoidable, bleeding belly button is not uncommon. There are variety of risk factors that put some people in higher risk of experiencing this problem. In addition, belly button bleeding can happen to both adults and children and thus, may become a quite-complicated health hassle. Knowing the exact cause of the bleeding is useful in determining the most suitable treatment, so that the problem can be quickly resolved, without causing other health complications.

Why belly button is bleeding inside?

Some possible causes of belly button bleeding are listed below:

An infection of skin in belly button

Belly button is a damp, moist, dark part of the body, where bacteria can easily infest and grow. Fungal infection is also common with belly button. This type of infection usually begins with inflamed belly button skin as a result of bacteria overgrowth on site. Eventually, this inflammation triggers foul-odor discharge, which if not treated, may end up with bleeding inside the belly button.

Trauma to the belly button

Bleeding inside the belly button can also be caused by trauma to the area. Based on the types of the injury, trauma to the belly button area may cause bruises or abrasion. If the trauma causes an injury to the blood vessels on the belly button skin, seepage of blood may present, accompanied by an excruciating pain, considering the sensitivity of the belly button skin.

Piercing in belly button

Improperly-done belly button pierce often becomes a trigger for bleeding belly button. Piercing which is too tight and often touched can trigger damage to the pierced skin area. As a result, bleeding may occur. In more severe case, this bleeding is followed by pus discharge and bad pain.

Growing cyst

In more severe but less frequent case, a growing cyst that extends into the abdominal wall from the belly button may present. This cyst is from the fetal-life. This type of cyst does cause bleeding, which can be intermittent. Belly button cyst might require a surgery after previously be observed by a physician.

Belly button bleeding in infants

In fact, belly button bleeding is not only experienced by adults. There are some cases of bleeding belly button involving infants, whose umbilical cord cut after birth. This kind of navel bleeding is mostly caused by an infection on the cut part of the navel. The cause of this infection may vary, from poor hygiene to allergic reaction to diapers. While it is not instantly harmful, belly button bleeding, especially in infants needs to be treated immediately, as it causes major discomfort and may lead to another health complication.

What to do about belly button

Treating bleeding or blood seepage on belly button area is important, since it is a part of the body where bacteria can easily grow. Thus, if any bleeding occurring on the skin around the site is not well treated, it will likely be infested with various kind of bacteria, leading it to infection. Treating an infected belly button is complicated, not to mention the caused pain. Hence, some things you are advised to do when spotting some bleeding on your belly button are:

• Disinfect the wound site. To do this, use lukewarm water and sea salt, instead of either alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Belly button area is delicate, so that these two latters may trigger unwanted irritation. To disinfect, soak the belly button with the saline solution and leave it for 5 minutes. Afterwards, rinse with cool water and pat dry with a clean towel.
• Avoid applying any greasy ointment onto the wound site, as this may clog the belly button area and thus, trap the bacteria in the moist, damp area, causing more overgrowth. If you need some antibiotic ointment, choose the water-based one.
• Regularly clean the area from dried blood, but avoid picking at it if it is still strongly attached to the skin. This may tear the skin and cause re-bleeding.
• When having bleeding belly button, wear breathable loose clothing to minimize its contact with the sound site. This will also prevent trapped sweat that may worsen the bleeding.