Because our belly buttons are so far away from our nose and are frequently hidden by clothing, it’s doubtful that you’d notice any aromas emanating from there. You could be surprised by what you smell if you take your finger and make a short swab. I know, it sounds disgusting. Although most belly button odor is caused by poor hygiene, it can also be a sign of something more serious that necessitates medical treatment.
The belly button, as you may know, is where your umbilical chord connected you to your mother while you were in her womb. The majority of people are left with an indentation, yet there are a lot of outies after the umbilical chord is cut. Belly buttons vary in size and depth, but most people have a deep enough crevice to get items caught in it from time to time, such as:
- Dirt
- Debris, like laundry lint
- Germs
- Bacteria
If you notice a bad stench coming from your belly button and you also have the following symptoms, it could be an infection or a cyst:
- discharge that is white, green, or yellow
- itching
- pain
- redness and swelling
- fever
- a scab around your belly button area
- a lump in your abdomen
Bad things can happen if you don’t clean your belly button
67 different bacteria can be found in the belly button. Germs and fungi frequently become stuck inside the belly button, where they feed on trapped things such as oil, filth, sweat, and dead skin. Germs and germs multiply quickly and have a foul odor. Unfortunately, the deeper your belly button is, the more dirt and bacteria accumulate. Without good hygiene habits, the odoriferous mix of bacteria, grime, and sweat persists.
Cleansing behind your ears, as well as cleaning your belly button, is an excellent idea. While you’re in the shower, apply a little soap on a washcloth and gently clean the inside of your button with your index finger. Many people overlook the importance of thoroughly drying their button after getting out of the shower. If you leave it wet, more fungus and germs will join the party. If you have a belly button piercing, apply an antibacterial wash after cleansing to keep it clean and dry.
A cotton swab dipped in apple cider vinegar can be used as an alternative. Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial characteristics and can be used to clean your button of germs and bacteria. Using the swab soaked in apple cider vinegar, gently clean the inside of your belly button and pat dry. Use only organic apple cider vinegar with the “mother” to get the best results. A word of caution: apple cider vinegar will sting if you have any open cuts in or near your belly button.
Soak a cotton ball in sea salt (not table salt) and water for five minutes to clean around piercings. Dab the skin around the piercing gently, being sure to get into all of the folds. To remove any crust that forms, use a soft, clean piece of gauze bathed in saltwater. Thoroughly dry the area.
Yeast is attracted to dirty belly buttons
Candida can grow if you don’t clean your belly button on a regular basis. Candida is a yeast that thrives in warm, dark, and damp environments, such as your groin, armpits, and belly button. This is especially dangerous for diabetics, whose immune systems are already weakened. A 2014 study found that if the belly button is not maintained clean, patients with diabetes are more prone to get yeast infections. As soon as you detect that you have a yeast infection, see your doctor for anti-fungal therapy. To avoid recurrence, develop a thorough belly button hygiene routine.
Infection is more likely with piercings
The skin around a belly button piercing is also susceptible to infection because any time you make a hole in the skin, bacteria can enter. If you get an infection, pus may start to ooze from your button. As your body tries to fight the infection, you may experience discomfort, redness, and swelling in the tissue around the piercing, as well as a fever. If this happens, see your doctor right away for assistance. Antibiotics will very certainly be required to clear the infection.
Is it a cyst or something else?
Cysts can develop in and around the belly button in a variety of ways. Pillar and epidermoid cysts are the most prevalent. Epidermoid cysts end on the top layer of skin, while pillar cysts originate near a hair follicle. Both of these cysts include cells enclosed in a membrane that creates thick, sludgy keratin. When a cyst breaks, the resulting discharge is thick, yellow, and foul-smelling. If this happens, clean your belly button thoroughly and keep an eye out for infection. Consult your doctor if an infection develops.
The glands that create sebum, a waxy and greasy lipid combination required for skin protection and lubrication, form a sebaceous cyst. These cysts become clogged with sebum and can become infected. Consult your doctor if this happens.
Make use of the sniff test
The more you clean your buttons, the less likely you are to have problems. Perform regular sniff tests to determine whether your button needs to be cleaned. Most people can get away with cleaning once or twice a week, but those who sweat a lot or have deeper buttons will need to clean more frequently. Finally, remember to scrub your belly button when you shower!