While we make it a point to clean ourselves and stay hygienic, we often overlook our belly buttons. A 2012 study(1) discovered that an average belly button houses at least 67 different kinds of bacteria. Needless to say, it is essential to clean your belly button periodically as the many crevices could collect dirt, lint, and bacteria.
Ideally, you should be cleaning your belly button at least once a week, if not daily. So if you wish to know the best way to clean your belly button, then you have come to the right place!
As surprising as it may sound, there are SIX types of belly buttons! These include:
As per Chinese mythology, the shape of your belly button determines the number of kids you will have. Further, Dr. Gerhard Reibmann, a German psychologist claimed to be able to predict an individual’s lifespan or personality traits based on their navel. However, it has come to light that the shape of your belly button is determined by the way the umbilical cord is cut at birth.
It is pretty normal if your belly button smells slightly funky. This is due to the fact that dead skin and sweat could get trapped inside the belly button.
Further, the naturally occurring bacteria break down sweat to create waste products that have a peculiar odour. The odour would be mild and sweaty, much like your armpits and feet.
However, if you notice a prominent odour paired with other symptoms such as red, scaly, itchy skin or tenderness around your belly button, the following conditions could be the primary reasons:
Candida is a yeast strain that lives on the skin and thrives in dark, moist, and warm environments. Hence, your belly button offers an ideal habitat for it to flourish.
Having a belly button piercing or diabetes mellitus could increase the risk of contracting an infection. Usually, if you have a yeast infection, you will also notice pus or liquid discharge from your belly button.
[Also Read: Remedies For Candida]
A dirty belly button could be home to epidermoid cysts(2), which are present on the top layer of the skin, while pilar cysts appear near hair follicles.
These cysts contain cells, which secrete thick keratin protein sludge, enveloped inside a thin membrane. When these cysts burst, they release a thick, yellowish, smelly discharge.
These are a rarer form of cysts that originate within the sebaceous gland. These cysts are pretty much like blackheads in your belly button and are caused by the clogging of a hair follicle, which can get filled up with sebum and get infected.
When these cysts rupture, they release odorous yellow or black stuff in your belly button that can accumulate inside your belly button and form a stone.
[ Read: Get Rid of Body Odor Naturally ]
To eliminate dead skin in the belly button, here are a few supplies that you will need:
Before you take a shower, here are the steps on how to clean your innie navel:
NOTE: Do not apply any lotion or moisturizer inside an innie belly button as it could not only make it dirty but also promote the growth of bacteria.
[ Read: Essential Oils to Prevent Body Odor ]
Belly button dirt removal is easier for outie belly buttons as they are more accessible. Here’s how you can clean an outie:
If you have a pierced belly button, it can be tricky to get to the dirt and dry skin lodged in the belly button. However, do note that if your piercing is recent, you must follow the belly button cleaning regiment as outlined by your piercer. For fully healed pierced belly buttons, here’s how you clean it:
Keep the following tips in mind while cleaning your belly button:
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[ Read: Ways to Lose Belly Fat Naturally ]
You should consult a doctor if you suspect that your belly button is infected. Symptoms of an infection include redness, swelling, and itching. In some cases, you would notice pus or fluid discharge, or a hardened belly button crust.
See a doctor if you notice cyst formations inside your navel. Depending on the condition and the diagnosis, the doctor will be better equipped to drain it.
Usually, merely washing the belly button at home can effectively solve the problem of dead skin or bacteria buildup inside the belly button. Make it a habit to periodically clean your belly button and keep it dry.
Cleaning your belly button regularly will not only get rid of but also prevent the onset of an infection. Additionally, wear loose and breathable clothes so that sweat does not accumulate inside or around your belly button.
Yes, it is usually advised to not pick stuff out of your belly button.
If left unattended, a dirty belly button could develop a yeast infection, gain an overpowering odour, or even develop navel stones, which are stone-like masses similar to blackheads. Their tips are blackened due to oxidation, and they can fill up your entire belly button, become infected, ulcerated, or even inflamed.
You can clean a baby’s belly button with warm water. Using soap or antiseptics may not be necessary. Remember to keep the area dry.