"Like any part of the body, the belly button also needs to be cleaned as bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells can become trapped in and around it," says Dr Ajayi-Sotubo. "This can lead to rashes, inflammation and infections."
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.
Yes, you should clean your belly button if it becomes dirty. The belly button can accumulate dirt, lint, sweat, and bacteria, which can lead to irritation or infection if not cleaned regularly. Here are some tips for cleaning it: Use a gentle cleanser: Mild soap and water are usually sufficient.
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.
Seek a doctor's advice before removing an omphalolith at home. If the stone is particularly large, hard, or has caused an infection, it may be best for a doctor to remove it. They do so in a sterile environment, which can be difficult to reproduce at home.
Navel stones are primarily made of sebum and keratin. 1 Sebum is oil produced by the skin, and keratin is a protein that helps form hair, skin, and nails. 4 These substances accumulate in the belly button, gradually harden over time, and create a stone-like object.
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.
"Like any part of the body, the belly button also needs to be cleaned as bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells can become trapped in and around it," says Dr Ajayi-Sotubo. "This can lead to rashes, inflammation and infections."
Leave any crust alone.
Try not to pick at it, since that will cause the area to bleed. This crust will come off on its own as your piercing heals.
Can I use hydrogen peroxide to clean my belly button? Hydrogen peroxide can be too harsh for sensitive skin. Stick with mild soap and water for regular cleaning.
If you notice a stone-like mass inside your belly button, it could be an omphalolith or an omphalith. Also called an umbolith. These growths can take over the entire navel and lead to infections and other problems. They're rare, but if you notice a new, hard mass in your navel, see your doctor.
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.
Luckily, all three doctors say the instructions for belly button cleaning and care are the same whether you're one month old or an adult: treat it like any other creased or folded area of skin. Don't rub too hard, be gentle, and use a Q-tip if you need to remove debris or water.
“You don't need to clean your belly button every day unless you have a specific reason to do so,” she says. “Cleaning it once or twice a week during your regular shower routine is usually sufficient for most people.”
As you can see in the picture below, the belly button normally isn't connected to anything in adults. It does play an important role for developing fetuses, however. This photo shows what the belly button looks like from inside the abdomen. As you can see, it is not attached to anything in the body.
Only a third of people (precisely 36%) said they wash their belly buttons! That means the rest of Plumbworld's customers are walking around right now with untouched, uncleaned belly buttons…
Belly button discharge might be a build-up of dirt, sweat, and skin cells that can be washed away with proper hygiene. However, discharge may be a sign of an infection inside your belly button. Not washing your belly button allows bacteria and fungus to overgrow and infect the skin.
The first step to a clean belly button may seem obvious, but it bears mentioning. A shower with plain old soap and water should remove lint, dirt, and some bacteria. You don't need to scrub, but you should make sure the shower washes away obvious grime.
Outie belly buttons are usually the result of normal variations in how the umbilical cord heals. The belly button is essentially a scar; some people have an inward scar (an "innie") and others develop a slight outward bulge (an "outie").