That brown crust is likely a buildup of dead skin, oils (sebum), and lint, often forming a hard mass called a navel stone (omphalolith), especially common in deep belly buttons (innies) due to poor hygiene or trapped debris. While usually harmless, it can cause odor or irritation, and if it leads to redness, pain, or discharge, it might be an infection needing a doctor's attention.
Luckily, all that unwanted stuff inside the navel can be safely removed through regular cleanings. To minimize bacteria and extract anything else that may become trapped in there, experts recommend a weekly hygiene routine.
Types of Belly Button Buildup You May Encounter
Some common types include: Belly Button Lint: A mix of fibers, oils, and dead skin cells, often gray or dark in color. Crusty Residue: This is often dried sweat or oil and may indicate that more frequent washing is needed.
Medically known as an omphalolith, navel stones are hard stones that form in the belly button. This is a rare condition that can be more common in people who experience deep-set navels, obesity, or who may need assistance cleaning their belly buttons regularly.
But your belly button contains bacteria just like every other part of your body, and that means it needs cleaning every now and then. Neglecting to clean your belly button can lead to unpleasant odors, irritation and infection.
Overview of Belly Button Problems
If you've noticed discharge, a strong smell, pain, or another change in your belly button, you may need to see a doctor. If your belly button leaks discharge or blood, you may have a bacterial, fungal, or yeast infection.
Let the crust come off naturally. This helps in the healing process. The only issue is the crust can be itchy or irritating. It is much better for the healing if you leave it be and let it flake off naturally.
It's important to be gentle, as vigorous scrubbing can irritate the skin, which may increase your risk of infection. If your belly button is particularly dirty, dip your finger into some table salt and gently massage your belly button before rinsing it thoroughly.
If you have a fungal infection the belly button will look red, and the redness may extend to the surrounding skin for a few millimetres. It may be itchy. Bacteria may also infect the belly button, often taking advantage of the damage already done by the fungi. This leads to scabbing and a yellowish discharge.
Your belly button may also contain dirt, sebum (oil), and dead skin cells. All together, this can cause comedones, which are like blackheads, to develop in your belly button; this buildup can potentially lead to a naval stone, a brownish-black bump.
What causes a belly button to smell? Most belly buttons are indented and act as a trap for sweat, dead skin, and dirt. Few people wash their belly button with soap, so germs can develop. The presence of dirt and bacteria in the belly button is the most common cause of a belly button smell.
Anyone experiencing belly button or “periumbilical” pain should talk with a doctor to determine the cause. Many minor conditions can cause pain in the navel area, which may even radiate to other areas, including the pelvis, legs, and chest. Common causes include indigestion, constipation, and umbilical hernias.
Without getting in there and cleaning your belly button on the regular, the lingering gunk — e.g. dirt, sweat, dead skin cells, clothing fabric, and bacteria — can collect and "cause odor or even an infection," says Dr. Goldberg.
They may be able to tell you have a yeast infection by looking at the skin of your navel area. A bright red rash is a common sign of a belly button yeast infection. Your healthcare provider may want to test a sample of the infected area.
The tiny folds of your belly button collect dirt, sweat, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Not washing it regularly—especially after sweating—allows these substances to build up. 1 The built-up dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells form brown patches of skin inside your belly button.
Key Takeaways. A belly button yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the navel. Antifungal creams or powders, like miconazole or clotrimazole, can treat the infection.
“The belly button shouldn't have an odor at all, so if you notice one, it's a sign of bacteria, yeast, or fungus.” This means it's best to avoid applying moisturizer to your belly button—and to keep the area dry and sweat-free as often as possible by keeping up with regular washing.
Crusties should wash away on their own in the shower or with your daily piercing clean without the need to pick! 🚿 If your crusties do build up and will not wash away on their own, visit your piercer to have them remove it in a sterile environment with the correct tools!
The belly button, or umbilicus, marks several important structures. The small intestine, large intestine, and appendix are key organs near it. They are vital for digestion and abdominal health.
It's a useful landmark: The navel marks the center of your abdomen. Healthcare experts use it as a reference point during physical exams. It can show symptoms: Conditions that affect your abdomen often change how your navel looks.
“If your belly button looks redder than usual, a bit swollen and there is purulent discharge (or pus) coming from the belly button that has a foul smell, you could have an infection,” Kadri said. Other signs to watch out for include: Pain and tenderness. Itching.