Belly Button Infection: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Question
 Dear docter,
 I have had an infection in my belly button for about 3 weeks.  I noticed it at work, looked down and I had what lookd to be a blood ring around my belly button. I work in the health feild myself and have asked a few nursing friends and they seem to think no big deal just keep it clean and it will go away. Well I have kept it clean ( I have alwas keept it clean) and it still will not go away.  The red ring has become a clear to foamy pink discharge. To keep it from running out of the hole I have been keeping a cotton ball there and changing it frequently.  There also is an oder, not over whelming that others can smell it but I do when I clean it up and change the cotton ball.  I have tried triple antibiotic, baby powder, medicatd powder from the hospital, and nothing seems to work.  It looked like it was almost gone about a week ago but it came right back. If you could give me any advice I would appriecate it! It worries me because i am a diabetic and no I didn't get it peiced or anything.   THanks Julie  

Answer
There isn't a connection inside the body, so you don't have to worry about this spreading and causing blood poisoning.  However, since hit hasn't responded to conservative care and given that you are diabetic, you need to be on oral antibiotics at this point.  Typically Keflex works well, but you will have to see your doctor for it...

Hope this helps...