belly button "lint"

i noticed when i woke up in the morning yesterday that i had this brown residue in my belly button. as i was cleaning it i noticed it had a really bad odor to it and it felt kind of sticky. later on in the day i could still smell the bad odor even though i washed my belly button with soap. as i was cleaning it again i noticed this white stuff that didn't seem to be belly button lint, but i managed to pick out this white semi hard substance that look like it was plaque build up. is this something to worry about? should i go see my doctor soon?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination confirmation of a diagnosis is tough but it can be due to fungal infection esp. candida infection, bacterial infection or a sebaceous cyst.

I would suggest a dermatologist’s opinion for this as culture of the discharge/lint may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.Treatment will depend on the confirmation of diagnosis.

I hope that helps. Please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Warm regards.