Growths in the belly button

This may or may not be a dermatology question; I have had three small black growths/specks in my belly button for years.  When I remove them, they look like tiny tadpoles (small, black, stringy, with a whitish end).  Every time I do remove them, they grow back.  I have asked several doctors about them, and every doctor has said they have never seen anything like it and "it should be okay".  When I attempted to remove one yesterday, it appears that an infection has set up because it is red with yellowish discharge. What should I do?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These tiny black specks sound like ingrown hair or blackheads(caused by excess oils that have accumulated in the sebaceous gland's duct). Now since it is red and pus is coming out, so it seems that the hair follicle is infected.

Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.