How do I make my belly button not smell?

The easiest way to prevent bacteria and dirt from collecting in your belly button is to clean it every day. Here's how: Put a little bit of antibacterial soap on a washcloth when you're in the shower. Using your index finger underneath the washcloth, gently wash the inside of your belly button.

How do you get rid of a smelly belly button?

Dip your finger or a soft washcloth in a solution of saltwater (about a teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water) and gently massage the inside of your navel. This should loosen stubborn germs that can cause odor. Then rinse with plain water and pat it dry.

Why is it smelly in my belly button?

Most belly buttons are indented so act as a trap for sweat, dead skin, and dirt. Few people wash the belly button with soap so germs can develop. The most common cause for a belly button smell is poor hygiene. All areas of the body need to be washed regularly to stay clean and healthy.

Can a smelly belly button be serious?

A yeast infection might be the culprit if, in addition to odor, you have a rash in the belly button area or are experiencing itching, burning, or patches that ooze clear fluid—and if the smell is due to a possible infection, consult with your doctor for treatment.

Why does my belly button stink even though I wash it?

Because of its shape and tiny skin folds, belly buttons can collect dirt, sweat, and bacteria. In fact, the average belly button contains about 67 types of bacteria. 1 This buildup can lead to a smell and even infection. Your belly button may smell because of a hygiene need or an infection caused by bacteria or fungus.

Why Does My Belly Button Smell? How To Clean Navel? Clean Umbilicus-Dr. Rasya Dixit| Doctors' Circle

How do I keep my belly button clean?

What happens if you don't clean your belly button for years?

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.

What happens if you don't clean belly button?

Your belly button should be cleaned just like all the other parts of the body; otherwise, the area can develop gnarly smells and infections, often paired with red, itchy, and scabby skin—especially if you have a navel piercing.

Should you deep clean your belly button?

You should regularly be giving your belly button a little extra TLC to make sure it stays clean and infection free. “I recommend patients clean their navel daily in the shower with gentle soap and water,” says Dr. Bard.

Can I clean my belly button with peroxide?

Cleaning your belly button

Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, you can use water, a saltwater solution, or hydrogen peroxide to clean your belly button. Dip one side of a cotton swab into a cleansing agent and gently wipe your belly button.

What is inside belly button?

What's a Belly Button? Your belly button marks the spot where your umbilical (say: um-BIL-ih-kul) cord was once attached. This cord is a soft, bendable tube that carried nutrients — vitamins and minerals — from your mother to you, back when you were in her belly (womb). A belly button is also called a navel.

Are you supposed to clean your belly button in the shower?

Since alcohol can be hard on sensitive skin, some doctors recommend just sticking to soap and water. There's no medical mandate requiring you to clean your belly button with any specific frequency. “I recommend patients clean their navel daily in the shower with gentle soap and water,” dermatologist Dr.

How often should belly button be cleaned?

You need to swab your navel with a cotton bud dipped in warm, soapy water or alcohol once a week. Make sure you dry the entire area thoroughly afterwards. Got an 'outie' belly button? Use a clean, soapy washcloth and make sure you get into all the folds.

How do I keep my belly button dry?

Use your towel to gently pat the area in and around your belly button dry after bathing. When possible, wear clothes made from breathable fabrics, so you don't trap sweat and dirt between the clothing and your skin. Call your doctor if you're concerned about any pain or swelling in your navel.

What is the black hard stuff in my belly button?

A navel stone is sometimes called an omphalolith or umbolith. It is a condition where substances like sebum, or skin oil, hair, dead skin cells, and dirt can accumulate and form a hardball. The stone is usually a dark color and firm to the touch. They may resemble a large blackhead in the opening of the navel.

Why shouldn't you play with your belly button?

Dr. Richardson cautions against touching your belly button with your germy fingers, as it can lead to serious infections.

How do you know if your belly button is infected?

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.

Will a belly button infection go away on its own?

If you think you have an infection in your belly button, you should call your doctor so that you can have the area cleaned carefully. You may also need prescription antibiotics to kill the bacteria before it spread to other parts of your body.

Why do I get so many belly button infections?

Like other areas of your body, your navel naturally contains bacteria and fungi. If you don't clean your belly button regularly and the circumstances are just right, microorganisms can proliferate and cause an infection, Edidiong Kaminska, M.D., a dermatologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, tells SELF.

How can I treat an infected belly button at home?

Other bacterial infections are often treatable by rinsing the area with warm saline water. Make sure you dry the area thoroughly after rinsing it. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotic creams that you apply directly to the infected area. They may prescribes oral antibiotics if your infection is severe.

How do you treat a red smelly belly button?

Soak a cotton ball in a mixture of antimicrobial soap and warm water, and gently wash your belly button with it. Try to keep the area clean and dry at all times. Avoid wearing tight clothing because it can irritate the affected area.

Are you supposed to clean your belly button?

Your belly button should be cleaned just like all the other parts of the body; otherwise, the area can develop gnarly smells and infections, often paired with red, itchy, and scabby skin—especially if you have a navel piercing.

How do I keep my belly button dry?

Answer: How can I keep my belly button dry? The best way to do this is to use a piece of gauze over the belly button. This may allow for some air circulation while in the garment by creating some space between the skin and garment.

Can I use Monistat in my belly button?

Along with a white discharge, candidiasis can cover your navel with an itchy, red rash. Treatment: Use an antifungal cream such as miconazole nitrate (Micatin, Monistat-Derm) or clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex), and keep your navel clean and dry.

Can you clean your belly button with peroxide?

Cleaning your belly button

Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, you can use water, a saltwater solution, or hydrogen peroxide to clean your belly button. Dip one side of a cotton swab into a cleansing agent and gently wipe your belly button.