When is the last time you cleaned your BELLY BUTTON?
You should be doing it daily. Here's why: Belly Button HEALTH is lacking and so the experts have come up with a plan for you, me... all of us...
Soap and a washcloth can work for innies … but you may need slightly more specialized tools — namely a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol. Before you hop in the shower, coat the cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and delicately scrub all the folds of your belly button. If the Q-tip gets dirty quickly, it’s a good idea to switch to a fresh one. After you’re done, repeat the process with water in order to get rid of any excess alcohol; that will help prevent your skin from becoming dry. Since alcohol can be hard on sensitive skin, some doctors recommend just sticking to soap and water.
Dermatologist Dr. Susan Bard told Teen Vogue: “I recommend patients clean their navel daily in the shower with gentle soap and water.”
What happens if you don’t clean your belly button?
An unpleasant odor isn’t the only issue a dirty belly button can cause. Those small creases are a playground for bacteria. Moisture tends to pool there and the area becomes like a petri dish That alone is enough to cause an infection. Oil, dirt, keratin, and other gunk can also build up over time and solidify into a hard brown or black stone known as an omphalolith, or a navel stone.