Differential Diagnosis for Redness Inside Belly Button
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Umbilical dermatitis: This is the most common cause of redness inside the belly button, often due to irritation from soap, sweat, or bacteria.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Omphalitis: An infection of the umbilicus, which can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or yeast, and is more common in newborns but can occur in adults.
- Contact dermatitis: An allergic reaction to substances like laundry detergent, soap, or lotions that come into contact with the belly button area.
- Folliculitis: An inflammation of the hair follicles in the navel area, often caused by bacterial infection.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Appendicitis (if the belly button is tender and the pain is also in the lower right abdomen): Although the primary symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain, in some cases, referred pain or tenderness around the navel can occur.
- Intra-abdominal shunt infection (in patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt): Infection of a shunt can cause a variety of symptoms including redness around the belly button if the shunt is infected and causing an inflammatory response.
- Peritonitis: Inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdominal cavity, which can be caused by a bacterial infection and might present with abdominal tenderness, including around the navel.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Umbilical endometriosis: A rare condition where endometrial tissue grows in the umbilicus, causing cyclical pain and bleeding.
- Umbilical granuloma: A small growth of tissue that can occur in the navel after a piercing or surgery, which can become inflamed and cause redness.
- Metastatic disease to the umbilicus (Sister Mary Joseph nodule): A rare condition where cancer from another part of the body metastasizes to the umbilicus, presenting as a nodule or mass.