I feel as if the skin over my belly button is firm. Is it hernia?
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
The top of my belly button, that is, the skin of my belly button is hard and firm, and the rest of my belly button is not. I feel as if there is something under the surface. I changed my diet, so I lost some weight. I was 168 lbs, and now I am 135 lbs. If I place two fingers over my belly button and do wide circles, I feel like there is something hard underneath. Is this a hernia or where my umbilical cord was? I do not have pain or symptoms, but I just feel it firm and hard. What is this?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
This is completely normal, and there is no need to worry. This is due to different layers of connective tissues.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the quick reply.
Is my belly button firm because of a hernia? How can we differentiate between an umbilical hernia and hardening due to connective tissues?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Here is an easy way to differentiate between an umbilical hernia and normal hardening of connective tissues. Place your fingers on the hardened part and then cough vigorously, if you feel a pulsation underneath your finger or if it gets bigger in size, then this is an umbilical hernia. If you felt no pulsation and it did not get bigger, then there is no need to worry.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for replying. I do not feel any pulsations when I cough, so this is not a hernia, right? I was just a little bit worried because when I lean way back, the tip of my belly button lifts up a little. Thank you so much.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Since nothing happens when you cough, then there is not a hernia. Your belly button tip may lift up due to some weakness of your abdominal muscles, so I suggest you do abdominal muscle strengthening exercises.
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General Practitioner
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