Itchy Bellybutton? Here's What Your Body's Trying to Tell You

Random itchiness can happen anywhere — on your head, toes and even your armpits. But what if that need-to-scratch sensation is nagging your navel?

An itchy bellybutton can have a number of causes. Most of them aren't a big deal and can be managed at home or with a quick visit to the dermatologist.

Here are some possible reasons for your itchy bellybutton, and what to do to get relief.

Contact dermatitis is "dermatologist-speak" for a red, itchy rash that develops after skin has been exposed to an irritant.

Irritants can be a new soap, laundry detergent, personal care product or a plant like poison ivy or poison oak. But, when it comes to bellybutton itching, the most common irritant is nickel.

"Pant buttons are usually made out of nickel, and can create a round rash where it touches the skin," says Jennifer Gordon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas. The irritation can also occur above or below the bellybutton — anywhere the pant button (or even a belt buckle) sits most often.

Eczema — a skin condition that causes red, itchy patches and swelling — most often affects the arms and legs. But it can also affect your navel.

"Eczema in this area can result from irritation of the skin caused by frequent rubbing or friction," says Marisa Garshick, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell-New York Presbyterian Medical Center.

People who get eczema in their bellybuttons are typically already dealing with the skin condition. Most cases of eczema appear in early childhood, from genetics or environmental triggers, according to the National Eczema Association.

What are the odds that a mosquito or other bug finds its way into your bellybutton? Perhaps not that high.

But if you've got a puffy, reddish bump inside your navel that itches a lot, there's a good chance that's what happened.

For most people, mosquito bites are just an annoyance. But for others, even a mild bite can cause hives or a low-grade fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In that case, you might be allergic and would need to visit an allergist.

Ticks can also find their way into your bellybutton and give you a bite. Tick bites are not always symptomatic, but they can be itchy or irritated.

If you have a bright red rash around your bellybutton that's itchy, swollen or even produces a bit of white discharge, you may have a yeast infection.

Yeast infections are caused by a fungus called Candida‌,‌ per the CDC, and commonly affect other body parts such as the vagina, anus and tongue. While yeast can develop anywhere on your skin, it tends to thrive in areas that are warm and damp — like the skin folds around your navel, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

While many yeast infections cause an odor, an infection in your bellybutton may or may not smell.

If you have recurring yeast infections, it may be due to an underlying health condition such as high blood sugar or frequent antibiotic use. Talk to your doctor about possible causes and treatment.

Sometimes an itchy, burning rash is caused by an inflammatory condition called intertrigo, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Intertrigo can happen when skin gets irritated by heat, humidity or friction (i.e., skin rubbing together). Like yeast infections, it tends to thrive on parts of the body that are warm and damp, like your bellybutton. If left untreated, intertrigo can even turn into a yeast infection, according to the National Library of Medicine.

If you've got a bellybutton piercing, sweat, dead skin buildup or even an infection could be the cause of your itching and discomfort.

"Because [bellybutton piercings] create an area for moisture buildup, they may be associated with more irritation," Dr. Garshick says. Metal jewelry — especially nickel — can also cause contact dermatitis and lead to redness and itching.

Cysts — small, benign bumps below the skin — can form anywhere on the body, including in the bellybutton. They aren't always bothersome, but sometimes, they can have a thick, yellow or smelly discharge, or get red or itchy when infected.

Try to avoid picking or popping a cyst on your own, which can lead to infection if not cleaned properly.

An itchy bellybutton that lasts for a few days (and improves with at-home measures) probably isn't cause for concern.

But if itching lasts for more than two weeks, distracts you from normal activities and is affecting other parts of your body, you may want to see a dermatologist.

And if itching comes with even worse symptoms, like weight loss, fever, night sweats or open sores, or if you get a quickly spreading rash (especially one with blisters), this may indicate a more serious problem. In this case, your doctor can properly diagnose and treat the issue.