Belly button is a common name used for a medical term umbilicus. For many women it is an object of attraction. You may have seen many people with pierced navel. Problem arises when an unpleasant odor emits from the umbilicus. Foul odor from umbilicus is not limited to women; it can occur in children as well as men too.
The reason may as simple as not cleaning the belly button or as serious as infection in the umbilicus. Most of the time, there is no need for any special cleaning required for belly button, daily shower is enough.
What Causes Foul Odor And Discharge From Belly Button?
One of the main reasons for foul smell in belly button is infection. Infection can be of two types, it can be bacterial or fungal. Both infections can cause foul smell in belly button. People who pierce their belly button are more prone to infection, especially if the objects that are used for piercing are unsterile.
Also sweat and dirt which accumulates in umbilicus can become a breeding place for germs to cause foul odor.
Other causes of foul odor include:
- Foul smelling pus oozing out from umbilicus is due to bacterial infection.
- Urachus cyst develops in the space between umbilicus and bladder. There is associated abdominal pain and fever. When the cyst ruptures, it drains out from umbilicus foul smelling fluid.
- In newborn baby the umbilical stump may emit an unpleasant odor for few weeks, till the time their belly button area heals.
- A furuncle present in umbilicus when ruptures gives rise to foul smelling discharge.
How To Get Rid Of Smell From Belly Button?
- One of the simplest ways to get rid of foul smell from your belly button is to wash the area with salt and water. Add one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Wash your umbilicus with this water using your fingers or dab it with soft wash cloth. Now rinse the umbilical area with plain water and dry the area thoroughly with a plain cloth.
- Avoid application of antibacterial or anti-fungal ointments and lotions inside the umbilicus as it may trap the moisture inside and cause more trouble. Only apply it if your doctor prescribes it. Water based ointments are more preferable.
- When there is smelling discharge from belly button application of white vinegar mixed in equal amount of water is beneficial.
- You can also use a mixture prepared from baking powder and water. Apply it on belly button for a while and then rinse the area with warm water. See that the area becomes completely dry.
- Applying tea tree oil on belly button with a Q tip two times in a day is beneficial in curing fungal infection. Tea tree oil is a natural treatment for fungus infection. Mix tea tree oil with a base oil such as olive oil before applying it.
- Cleaning the area with rubbing alcohol will not only cure the stinky smell but the belly button will stop weeping too (the foul discharge will diminish).