These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Naval Infection
Question: I have an infection in my navel. I have asked doctors what causes this and no one can treat it or knows why I have it.
Answer: A persistent infection in the navel usually represents a patent urachus or urachial cyst.
The urachus is an embryonic remnant left over from your time in the womb. There is a
connection from the bladder to the umbilicus (belly button) before you are born to allow the
urine to proceed to the mother. This is supposed to close at birth, but occasionally may not
close completely. This leads to recurrent infections in the umbilicus as small amounts of
urine come out the umbilicus. Repair is surgical and is very simple.
