what is wrong? ...red flaky belly button..help please

For a while my belly button has been dry... but lately it has been really crusty too. A couple of days ago it was even oozing and hurting! It stopped oozing and hurting but has red spots and gets crusty alot. I have a belly piercing but it has been healed and healthy for years and besides it's not hurting, red, itchy, or oozy. I have tried soap and warm water and using lotion but it doesnt seem to be helping yet. I'm not sure what to do for it. Does anyone have any ideas of what it may be or how to get rid of it?

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
It could be an eczema or fungal infection.
It coild also be contact dermatitis but since you are saying the belly piercing is healthy, this may not be in your case.
You could apply corticosteroid ointment and take anti-histamines for a week.
Also use anti-fungal powder on the aaffected area.
If it susides well and good, other-wise get it checked by a dermatologist.

[chel12480]

I have the same issue, but I don't have a belly ring. My belly button gets oozy, then dries up and is red and flaky. then it goes away for a week and the cycle happens all over again! How did you fix the problem?