Ugly Belly Button - Causes and Signs of an Ugly Belly Button

The shape of the navel is individual for each person. It can differ in appearance, size and depth. Unsightly navels are scars received at birth, which look like protruding or stretched depressions, protrusions.

The navel can be shallow but wide (a common form among obese people) and deep but narrow (typical for thinner people).

Depending on the origin, there are two types: congenital or so-called "cutaneous navel" and acquired. "Cutaneous navel" occurs in approximately 1/3 of newborns and is a congenital developmental anomaly, which is manifested by the fact that the skin of the abdomen goes over the umbilical cord. In such babies, after the umbilical cord is cut, the navel remains convex for life. The second type, acquired, develops under the influence of some external factor and occurs in different age groups.

Causes

The reasons leading to unaesthetic deformation include:

• incorrect method of cutting the umbilical cord of a newborn baby;
• improper care of the umbilical scar;
• infection of the umbilical tissue (omphalitis) during the process of cutting the umbilical cord;
• modification and "overlapping" of the skin onto the newly formed navel;
• high pressure inside the abdominal cavity;
• the presence of an umbilical hernia;
• modifications of the skin that appeared as a result of piercing;
• infection from punctures, surgeries, or removal of excess fat (liposuction);
• pregnancy;
• sagging skin on the abdomen with age.

Symptoms

Usually, a natural scar is located on the midline of the abdomen - between the xiphoid process of the sternum and the pubis. In most people, it has a funnel-shaped appearance, and its depth is determined by the number of fat cells in this area of the abdominal wall. The size, shape and depth of the navel can change throughout life, which may not always please its owner.

Possible symptoms inherent in an unattractive navel:

• spoils the overall appearance of a beautiful torso;
• protrudes above the level of the skin, causing discomfort to the owner, since it may cling to the belt of clothing;
• shifts to the right or left relative to the midline of the abdomen, which leads to asymmetry of the navel.

A cosmetic defect can create physical discomfort for a person, negatively affect his mental health.

People of a pedantic nature, having an unattractive navel, can become unbalanced, their self-esteem, and social activity fades. It is also possible that complexes will develop, leading to a refusal to visit places with a bare torso (baths, beaches, swimming pools). In hot weather, the individual increasingly wears clothes that cover the defect. The presence of a not very attractive scar-like formation can become a problem in building relationships with the opposite sex. Mental disorders caused by the presence of this defect are common in women and young girls.

Diagnostics

If you find this modification on your body, you should consult a cosmetologist, surgeon. Sometimes the patient will need a consultation with a dermatologist or even an infectious disease specialist (if there is an inflammatory process in the skin). The doctor will diagnose the defect immediately, during the first examination. In such cases, diagnostic methods are not prescribed, the only exception being the case of an infectious lesion.

Treatment

Usually, a plastic surgeon treats an unsightly navel. Of course, surgical correction of the defect is not necessary, but is carried out only at the patient's request. However, in certain situations, doctors strongly recommend performing the operation as soon as possible. Such special cases include a rupture of the skin, the presence of a hernia, a strong protrusion of the scar, skin inflammation, or unsuccessful liposuction. Surgical intervention performed on the site of a natural scar is called umbilicoplasty.

Prevention

Prevention of this type of defect means proper care of the scar location after the umbilical cord is cut in a newborn. Proper treatment of possible infectious diseases, carried out in time, will also be one of the ways of prevention. Avoiding unwanted injuries is another mandatory condition that will help keep this part of the body in good shape.