It's easy to overlook your belly button, but it needs to be cleaned just like every other part of your body.All you have to do is wash your belly button with soap and water.If you have a belly button odor that doesn't go away with regular washing, check for signs of an infection.You can get back to smelling fresh and clean with proper medical treatment.
Step 1: Whenever you shower, wash your belly button.
During a bath or shower is the best time to clean your belly button.You should include your belly button in your washing routine.If you have been sweating a lot, you may need to wash your belly button more frequently.
Step 2: For washing, use plain soap and water.
You don't need anything fancy to wash your body.Warm water and soap will do the trick.Apply some soap and water to your fingers or a cloth and rub it into your belly button to get rid of dirt.Carefully rinse away the suds when you are done.The soap or cleanser you use for the rest of your body should work well for your belly button.If scented soaps cause irritation or drying, use a gentle soap.saltwater can be used to cleanse your belly button.Put a small amount of table salt in a cup of warm water and then dip a cloth in the solution.Carefully massage the saltwater into your body, then rinse it away.It can kill germs and loosen dirt, and it's less drying than soap.
Step 3: To deep- clean an innie, use a cotton or washcloth.
It can be difficult to get dirt and lint out of a deep belly button.If you have an innie, you may need to use a cloth to get inside and do a thorough cleaning.Make sure to rinse your belly button after you wash it with soap and water.You could irritate the delicate skin in and around your belly button if you scrub hard.
Step 4: When you're done, pat your belly button dry.
It is important to keep your belly button dry.Once you have washed up, use a dry towel to dry the area around your belly button.You can air-dry it for a few minutes if you have time.It's possible to keep your belly button dry when the weather is warm or when you break a sweat.
Step 5: Don't use anything in your belly button.
Unless your doctor recommends it, don't use any creams in your belly button.Doing so could cause your belly button to become a breeding ground for unwanted organisms.If you have an outie, you may be able to use baby oil or lotion on your belly button.If you experience bad odors, itching, or other signs of infections, stop using moisturizers.
Step 6: If regular washing doesn't work, look for signs of an illness.
Dirt and sweat are the most common causes of belly button odors.Most of the time, washing up with a little soap and water will clear up odors.You could have an infection if it doesn't happen.Itching yellow or green fluid or pus leaking from your belly button are some of the symptoms to look for.
Step 7: If you have an illness, you should see your doctor.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you think you have an illness.They can tell you how to treat the infection.Depending on the cause of the infection, the appropriate treatment will be different.The wrong treatment could do more harm than good, so don't try to guess.Your doctor can take a sample from your belly button.They can use this to figure out what's causing your infection.
Step 8: It's a good idea to use medications to treat infections.
If it turns out you have an illness in your belly button, you may need to use an antibiotic, antifungal or powder for a while to clear it up.You may be told to buy one over-the-counter medication by your doctor.The infection should be treated to get rid of odors and discharge.Resisting the urge to scratch or pick at your belly button is one of the home care instructions your doctor may have.
Step 9: If you have a belly button cyst, you should ask your doctor to drain it.
Sometimes a cyst can form in your belly button, which can lead to swelling, pain, and bad-smelling discharge.If you have a cyst in your belly button, your doctor will drain it.They can prescribe antibiotics to help clear up the problem.To help the cyst heal properly, follow their home care instructions.Ask your doctor to give you instructions on how to care for your cyst at home.They recommend putting a dry compress on the area 3-4 times a day.If they apply a dressing, you need to change it at least once a day until your doctor says you can stop using it.You need to return to the doctor after 2 days to have the cyst removed.Once a day, wash the wound with warm water.You might need to have surgery to remove the cyst completely if it comes back.The surgeon will most likely make a small incision and use a camera to remove the cyst.You will need to stay in the hospital for a few days after the surgery, but should be able to return to your normal activities in about 2 weeks.
Step 10: If necessary, visit your doctor to have the stones removed.
Dirt, lint, and oils can build up inside a deep belly button if you don't clean it often.An Omphalith or navel stone is a hardened mass that can be formed from these materials.Make an appointment with your doctor if this happens to you.They can use a tool to remove the stone.In a lot of cases, navel stones don't cause any symptoms.They can cause sores and infections.You can wash your belly button with soap and water.