The buildup in your belly button, often called a navel stone or omphalolith, is a hardened mass of dead skin cells, dirt, lint, sweat, and skin oil (sebum) that gets trapped in the navel's folds, especially in deep "innie" belly buttons, creating dark, sometimes foul-smelling, compacted debris that needs gentle cleaning.
The truth is that because our midriffs aren't usually exposed, our navels don't get a lot of airflow. So in addition to bacteria, belly buttons can attract and harbour lint, dirt, dead skin cells, and sweat as well as soap residue.
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.
Belly buttons, regardless of their shape or size, are hot pockets for dirt, bacteria and other germs. When cleaning them, it's important to be gentle, so as not to cause irritation to sensitive skin. It's also important to use soap products that are fragrance-free and mild.
Apply Soap and Water: Gently lather the soap and water in your belly button, reaching all crevices. Rinse and Dry: Rinse well and dry completely with a towel to avoid any lingering moisture. Check for Residue or Odor: If odor or residue remains, repeat the cleaning or reach out to a skincare professional for advice.
Having what people often refer to as "gunk" in your belly button is entirely normal. In fact, given the belly button's shape and location, it would be surprising if it didn't collect skin cells, lint, and other gunk ingredients. The key is removing the material.
Simply cleaning your belly button with H2O and soap is just an accessible, and safer bet. "Alcohol can irritate and dry the skin," notes Dr. Goldberg. This can cause your skin to crack and, in turn, increase the odds of developing an infection.
Navel stones are usually dark brown or black. They are also dry and hard to the touch. When doctors examine them under the microscope, they can whether the stone is made up of dead skin, hair, sebum, or other debris that has built up in the navel. Navel stones aren't usually painful.
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.
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.
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.
Poor hygiene: Inadequate cleaning of the belly button area can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells, sweat, and dirt. Over time, these substances can become trapped in the belly button and form a hard, stone-like ball.
What does the navel do? After your umbilical cord stump heals closed and falls off, your navel doesn't do much of anything for the rest of your life. While it doesn't do anything itself, it's still important for aesthetic (beauty and appearance) reasons.
“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.
When bacteria or yeast cause odors, use over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointments and antifungal powders or creams to help eliminate the bacteria or fungus causing the smell.
Grab a Q-tip and mild soap.
Before going in, swab the Q-tip with soap and water; Dr. Chacon says it's best to use “mild, fragrance-free soap” to avoid irritating the navel's sensitive skin.
The most common symptom of a belly button yeast infection is a bright red rash in the skin folds of your navel. The rash is typically extremely itchy. It may burn. You may also see scaling, swelling or a white discharge.
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Like other body parts, the belly button requires regular and proper cleaning to stay healthy and odor-free. Most belly buttons are recessed, resembling a pocket that collects dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells. The deeper the navel, the greater the risk of accumulating bacteria and debris.
You might think about scratching or digging it out with a nail. But is it bad to pick stuff out of your belly button? YES. Picking can tear the skin, let in bacteria, and lead to infection.
Everybody has a navel — a belly button, that is! Your navel marks the spot where the umbilical cord was once attached. The umbilical cord is a flexible tube that carries nutrients from a mother to a baby while the baby is still in the mother's womb.
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.
Cleaning your belly button regularly is important to prevent bacterial buildup, odor, and potential infections. The navel's shape can trap dirt, sweat, and bacteria, making hygiene crucial. Doctors recommend gentle cleaning with soap and water to maintain good health and prevent issues.