A member asked:

I have pain in my belly button when i touch it, cough and sneeze, and it's red. no surgeries, piercings and i am not pregnant. what can this be ?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Stuart Hickerson answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Infection: Your umbilicus or belly button is a great place to collect moisture and it can commonly get infected with a fungal infection and sometimes a combined bacterial infection. An umbilical hernia is possible, but usually not red. There is a remnant called urachus that can act like a hernia, but this would be unusual.

Answered 6/21/2016

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Omphalitis: Some people have a deep navel and a hairy abdomen. Hairs have tiny barbs on them which can cause them to be trapped in the navel. This causes redness, pus, bleeding, and pain. Try cleaning it out with a q- tip. Castellani solution (otc) is excellent. If it causes severe problems a surgeon can remove the belly button. A scientist who studies belly buttons is called an omphalologist.

Answered 6/10/2013

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