Have you ever noticed that your belly button sometimes looks like it’s bleeding? This is a condition that occurs in people of all ages and is commonly known as hematoma, which means blood collection. It can happen for many reasons, but knowing about this condition and how to treat it could make all the difference between feeling perfectly healthy and experiencing some very unpleasant side effects that may require medical attention. Below are some of the known reasons why your belly button can be leading and how you can stop it

Microtears
The tissue around your belly button is fairly thin, and over time can develop microtears. These tears can be particularly prone to infection, especially when a hair or other item has been trapped in them. If you notice blood in your belly button, it’s probably a good idea to have it checked out by a doctor or midwife right away—especially if you’re pregnant.

Folliculitis
One of my most common reasons for belly button bleeding is a bacterial infection. Folliculitis—which is essentially an infected hair follicle—is caused by microscopic bacteria (staph, strep, and E. coli being some of the most common culprits). When left untreated, these tiny bugs can result in bigger problems like abscesses, cellulitis, and wound infections.

Injuries
Any injury to your belly button could cause it to bleed. If you’ve been injured and notice your belly button is bleeding, you should contact a medical professional immediately. While a small amount of blood may be normal after an injury like bumping into a door or falling down, large amounts of blood flowing from your belly button indicate an underlying issue that requires treatment.

Acne treatments
You can either choose to see a dermatologist or find over-the-counter acne treatments at your local drugstore. An easy treatment to try is combining two ingredients that fight blemishes naturally: tea tree oil and coconut oil. By mixing these two together and applying them directly to your skin, you can gently treat acne without harsh chemicals. Also, make sure to wash your face with a gentle cleanser in the morning and night, especially if you have oily skin.

Allergic reactions
Antibiotics kill bacteria by attacking their cell walls, which in turn can cause a foreign substance to break down and trigger an allergic reaction. When you take antibiotics, your immune system perceives them as an attack on your body’s cells, causing an allergic reaction and making your belly button bleed. These allergic reactions may also cause swelling of tissues surrounding your belly button and occur in other parts of your body as well. Anaphylaxis is an extreme version of an allergic reaction that can be fatal if left untreated.

Bacterial infection
Sometimes a cut will result in bacteria entering your body, which can cause an infection that spreads from there. This isn’t usually a serious problem, but it’s a good idea to treat bacterial infections with antibiotics. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to remove infected tissue if you don’t respond to other treatments.

Trauma
The most obvious cause of belly button bleeding is a direct injury to your stomach. It could be as straightforward as being hit in the stomach with a ball (as long as it doesn’t strike your actual belly button). In more serious cases, trauma to your abdomen could also result from an accident or car crash.

Skin cancer
Though it is rare to find, skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and can spread to other organs quickly. It’s caused by exposure to UV radiation from sunlight or tanning beds, causing your skin cells to mutate into potentially fatal cancers.