If an adult has an unpleasant smell of discharge from the navel - what would it mean and what to do? Doctors note two main reasons why an navel becomes wet in an adult - this is omphalitis and umbilical fistula. Having noticed alarming symptoms, you should immediately contact a surgeon for timely treatment.
Omphalitis is an inflammatory lesion of the subcutaneous tissue and skin around the navel, characterized by edema, redness of the skin of the umbilical region and discharge of the navel that is different in intensity. Often the infection covers the umbilical vessels, which leads to phlebitis or arteritis of these vessels. The disease may be of a fungal or bacterial nature. Most often, the causative agent of omphalitis is Staphylococcus aureus. There is a simple, phlegmonous and necrotic form of the disease, in which the navel becomes wet in an adult.
Most often, adults have simple omphalitis. In this case, the patient feels generally well, noting only a wet navel and the associated inconvenience. As a rule, the discharge is a serous or purulent-serous fluid, which dries with a crust near the navel. The causes of such secretions are bacterial or fungal infections associated with the structural features of the navel. So, with an inverted and narrow umbilical canal, the separation of dead epithelial cells and sebaceous gland products is difficult, which can lead to infections with poor personal hygiene. Some medical experts believe piercing is one of the causes of omphalitis. If the navel is leaking, then you must consult a doctor. With simple omphalitis, outpatient treatment is performed, which consists in treating the weeping navel with antiseptic or cauterizing solutions, the use of antifungal or antimicrobial ointments, depending on the nature of the inflammation, the appointment of physiotherapy. With a simple form of the disease, the prognosis is usually favorable.
Phlegmonous and necrotic omphalitis is much less common in adults.
With a phlegmonous form, the tissues around the navel become inflamed, redness, hardening, soreness, purulent discharge from the navel, an increase in body temperature are observed. Phlegmon of the abdominal wall may develop.
Necrotic (gangrenous) omphalitis develops very rarely and is a complication of the phlegmonous form. With this form, the infection penetrates into the abdominal cavity, necrosis and exfoliation of dead tissue occurs. Necrotic omphalitis is dangerous for the development of umbilical sepsis, peritonitis, hematogenous osteomyelitis.
With phlegmonous and gangrenous omphalitis, a comprehensive intensive treatment is performed. As a rule, treatment of the affected area with antiseptic agents, dressings with wound healing and antibacterial ointments, intramuscular antibiotics, physiotherapy are prescribed. Sometimes surgical intervention is required - opening the abscesses. With the necrotic form, gamma globulin injections, vitamin therapy, and blood transfusion are performed .
Another reason an navel gets wet in an adult is an umbilical fistula. This pathology in most cases is congenital and is characterized by an ungrown urinary or intestinal duct. With an ungrown urinary duct, a vesicle-umbilical fistula is formed through which urine is released. If the vitelline duct is not mature, then an intestinal-umbilical fistula appears with discharge from the intestine. When inflammation occurs, the discharge becomes purulent.
Sometimes there are acquired fistulas that are formed when the front wall of the peritoneum is inflamed and the abscesses are opened through the navel.
Most often, treatment consists in excising a fistula and suturing holes in the wall of the intestine or bladder. Non-surgical treatment is only possible if there is no discharge from the navel.
If the navel becomes wet in an adult, then in no case should you self-medicate, which can lead to only an insignificant temporary effect.