Why belly buttons stink

Left unchecked, however, the bacteria could multiply and become dense enough to result in an itchy belly button with a bad smell. In that case, the bacteria buildup could be significant — and even cause a fungal infection.

C andidal intertrigo is an infection that occurs around the armpit, groin, and belly button. In addition to the smell, an infected belly button could appear red and scaly. In some cases, blisters will form. Another possible cause for a smelly belly button is an infected cyst under the skin. This can cause the area to become red, inflamed, sore, and tender to the touch. If it seeps pus, then the smell will be more than unpleasant, to put it nicely. Washing up on a regular basis is a pretty effective way to prevent the buildup of the dead skin, sweat, and oils your body is naturally depositing into your navel.

Known as omphaliths or umboliths, these growths can fill the entire navel and lead to infection, inflammation, and ulcerated skin. You can use the same saltwater solution mentioned above:. If you develop redness, swelling, pain, or discharge, your belly button could be infected. This is especially likely if you have a navel piercing. Sometimes you need care right away, with no time to wait for an appointment. We offer prompt treatment for illnesses and injuries 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

Navel hernias affect as many as one in five newborns in the US, but they're rarely life-threatening, and are far less common in adults.

In fact, as long as you rinse your belly button with warm, soapy water once a week, the worst you'll have to put up with is a little fluff. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Good Subscriber Account active since Shortcuts.

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Facebook Pinterest Twitter Youtube Instagram. T he belly button is the last frontier of wellness. I cannot think of a body part that gets brushed aside more often—even the "gross" ones seem deserving of a little TLC. Feet get soaked then stroked , armpits get swathed in coconut-oil-arrowroot concoctions , and vaginas, well, consider them the Queen of the Nile.

But if memory serves, the last time I checked in on my belly button, I found that it stank so badly that the only way to cope was to go back to pretending I didn't have one in the first place.

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