[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/how-to-keep-your-bellybutton-navel-clean-the-right-way\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/how-to-keep-your-bellybutton-navel-clean-the-right-way\/","headline":"How to Clean Your Belly Button and Prevent Infection","name":"How to Clean Your Belly Button and Prevent Infection","description":"Do you regularly wash your belly button? Are you sure it's clean? Discover the right way to keep your belly button and bellly button piercing clean.","datePublished":"2015-07-27","dateModified":"2022-10-19","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urgent-care","name":"Urgent Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urgent-care","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/urgent-care\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/how-to-keep-your-bellybutton-navel-clean-the-right-way.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/how-to-keep-your-bellybutton-navel-clean-the-right-way.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/how-to-keep-your-bellybutton-navel-clean-the-right-way\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Safety","Skin Care"],"wordCount":599,"keywords":["belly button","bellybutton","clean","clean bellybutton","how to","infection","navel","piercing","skin"],"articleBody":"Your belly button is pretty easy to forget. This abdominal scar marks the spot where your umbilical cord was once attached. Post-birth, it doesn\u2019t offer any real function.But the navel can be a breeding ground for dirt, sweat, bacteria, and a variety of unpleasant substances, particularly if you\u2019ve had this spot pierced. In fact, the average belly button harbors more than 67 kinds of bacteria.Why Does My Belly Button Smell?Discharge and smells can be a result of several different factors, though slight navel odors are typically normal. If you have a combination of foul smell and discharge, it could be a sign of:A fungal infection or yeast infection of the belly button.A bacterial infection of the belly button.A wound or bruise around or within the belly button.A simple build-up of sweat and belly button dirt.Belly Button InfectionBelly buttons that are crusted, inflamed, or itchy may be infected.Infected belly button symptomsCommon symptoms of a belly button infection or allergic reaction to a piercing include:Red, itchy skin around the navel.Foul smells.Swelling.Yellow, green, or dark-colored discharge.Persistent pain, particularly around a piercing.Blistering around the navel or piercing.Rarely, people can develop\u00a0stone-like masses\u00a0inside the belly button. Known as omphaliths or umboliths, these growths can fill the entire navel and lead to infection, inflammation, and ulcerated skin.For these reasons, it\u2019s important to keep your belly button as clean as possible.Who’s at risk?You\u2019re at higher risk of problems if you have an \u201cinnie\u201d belly button or if you have your belly button pierced. That\u2019s because deeper belly buttons and piercings are more apt to become infected.How to Clean Your Belly ButtonThe first step to a clean belly button may seem obvious, but it bears mentioning.  A shower\u00a0with plain old soap and water should remove lint, dirt, and some bacteria. You don\u2019t need to scrub, but you should make sure the shower washes away obvious grime.If you have an \u201coutie,\u201d lucky you: Your belly button is probably pretty clean.  Those with deeper navels may need to get a little more aggressive about cleanliness. 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.Resist the temptation to apply lotions or creams to your belly button.  The extra moisture can contribute to bacterial or fungal growth.How to Clean a Belly Button PiercingIf you have a navel piercing, you\u2019ll need to pay special attention to your belly button. You can use the same saltwater solution mentioned above:Wet a clean cloth in the solution and apply it to the area as a warm compress several times a day.  This should remove any discharge or crust and allow you to gently move the jewelry through the piercing.Pat it dry  when you\u2019re finished.Remember, if your belly button still smells and doesn\u2019t respond to these approaches, you should visit your doctor. If you develop redness, swelling, pain, or discharge, your belly button could be infected. This is especially likely if you have a navel piercing. In this case, you may require antibiotics or other treatment and should visit\u00a0UPMC Urgent Care\u00a0right away.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on July 27, 2015, and was last reviewed on August 5, 2021."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Clean Your Belly Button and Prevent Infection","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/07\/how-to-keep-your-bellybutton-navel-clean-the-right-way\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]