{"id":62137,"date":"2024-01-23T14:46:45","date_gmt":"2024-01-23T19:46:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=62137"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:12:50","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:12:50","slug":"why-does-my-belly-button-smell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/why-does-my-belly-button-smell\/","title":{"rendered":"Why does my belly button smell?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The <\/span>belly button<\/span><\/a>, or navel, is where we are connected to our mothers by the umbilical cord during pregnancy. About 90% of people have “innies,” while 10% have “outies.” (An outie is due to extra scar tissue or an umbilical hernia.) Have you ever experienced a smelly belly button? It’s hard to imagine that such a small body part could cause problems, but the belly button can emit an odor. Tiny folds in the belly button can collect sweat, dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Studies have found an average of <\/span>67 types of bacteria<\/span><\/a> per belly button, indicating a concentration of numerous bacteria in a small area. Possible causes of a belly button smell may include poor hygiene, lint buildup, a cyst, <\/span>Candida <\/span><\/i>fungus, or an infected piercing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why does my belly button smell?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Poor hygiene<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like any other body part, it will start to smell if you don’t keep the <\/span>belly button clean<\/span><\/a>. It’s an often-overlooked part of the body when it comes to showering. If not removed regularly, a buildup of dead skin cells, natural oils from the skin, bacteria, fungi, and other germs will start to cause an odor. Fortunately, the remedy is simple—taking extra care to keep the belly button clean. See the section “” for more information on keeping your navel clean.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lint buildup<\/span><\/h3>\n

Belly button lint<\/span><\/a> is another potential culprit for an odor in the belly button. Lint from clothing, especially cotton clothing, absorbs moisture. You may notice an unpleasant smell if you have some lint in the belly button combined with sweat. Experts recommend that if you wear a lot of cotton and polyester clothing, you should closely monitor your belly button. Also, follow the instructions in the “How to clean a smelly belly button”<\/span>​​ section.<\/span><\/p>\n

A cyst<\/span><\/h3>\n

A <\/span>skin cyst<\/span><\/a> is a round lump often filled with pus or fluid. It may have a small, dark spot in the middle of the lump. <\/span><\/p>\n

Different types of cysts can affect the belly button, which can cause an odor. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n