Derms Say A Smelly Belly Button Is Usually Not Something You Need To Worry About
As far as body parts go, the belly button is pretty forgettable. Typically hidden underneath your clothes, you probably don’t see it all that much or give it a second thought even when you do. That’s why when you catch a whiff of something off there, you may immediately assume that something is wrong. Rest assured, a smelly belly button doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem.
Just like any other parts of your skin, dead skin cells in and around your belly button slough off and flake off the surface, says Shuai Xu, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. They can accumulate inside the hole, along with sweat, dirt, and other kinds of debris. Dr. Xu adds that if there’s no redness, pain, or discharge, you don’t really need to worry.
And FYI, some people are just naturally more prone to developing a buildup and hence an odor there given the shape of their belly button. “Those who have a more convoluted belly button are at higher risk of trapping more dirt, debris, and ‘lint’ (foreign body material), which can lead to more odor and more difficulty with effectively cleaning the belly button,” explains Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Pittsburgh. Think: a deep innie belly button.
That said, sometimes a smelly belly button can be a sign that you need to check in with your doc ASAP. Here are all the possible reasons why your belly button may smell funny and what you can do about them.
1. You’re not cleaning your belly button.
This is the most common cause of a smelly belly button, according to Mona Gohara, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine and the president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. Think of it as not taking out the garbage in your kitchen. “The more you let it fester, the more it’s going to smell,” she says. “And a lot of people don’t make a concerted effort to go in there and actually dig out their belly button.”
Even if you don’t see anything there, you should still wash it. “It’s not like you’re going to see a ball of dirt there. It’s microscopic skin cells, bacteria, sebum. It’s stuff that you won’t necessarily be able to see,” notes Dr. Gohara.
A telltale sign that poor hygiene is to blame is that there won’t be any skin changes around your belly button. So your belly button won't look any different.
The fix in this case is simple—give this area a little bit of TLC regularly. Remember that your belly button is a crevice in your body, like your armpits and the spaces between your toes, and it needs to be cleaned. “Just take a gentle cleanser and clean the surface with your daily shower. I wouldn’t mess around with Q-tips and oils,” says Dr. Gohara.
Remember, the emphasis is on gentle. The skin there is fragile, and too much manipulation or scrubbing can cause problems, warns Dr. Xu.
2. You have an infection.
When there is an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast in your belly button, you can end up with an infection. It’s usually a staph infection if it’s bacterial, or a fungal one caused by Candida. “This type of yeast loves warm, moist environments, and the belly button is a great place for Candida to grow,” explains Dr. Zubritsky.
People who are immunocompromised or those with deep innie belly buttons (which create the perfect condition for yeast or bacteria to multiply, per Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai) are more likely to develop an infection. If you got a belly button piercing or had laparoscopic surgery done through your belly button, you could be at higher risk of developing an infection too.
When the skin of your belly button becomes infected, it would be red, inflamed, and hot to touch. You may also notice a little pus, drainage, crusting, or flaking.
If you have a bacterial infection, Dr. Zubritsky suggests cleansing your belly button with antibacterial soap. Make sure that your belly button is completely dry after to prevent a yeast infection. Washing with benzoyl peroxide is another great way to kill any odor-causing bacteria.
“For yeast infections, use an over-the-counter anti-fungal powder to treat and prevent infection as well as keep the area dry,” says Dr. Zubritsky. “I like Zeasorb powder for this. If OTC doesn’t work, I recommend seeing a dermatologist for a prescription.”
3. You have a skin condition.
Certain skin conditions can lead to inflammation and additional buildup and bacteria in the belly button. Believe it or not, psoriasis is a classic one to present in this part of your body, says Dr. Xu. It is an autoimmune condition that can turn the skin around it red, scaly, flaky, and thick, a.k.a. more stuff to fall inside your belly button. Eczema or atopic dermatitis is another that can pop up here and cause a rash, redness, and flakiness.
If you have any of these symptoms on top of a smelly belly button, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. They can help you figure out what’s going on and what kinds of treatment you need. Medications for psoriasis will require a prescription, while eczema is typically managed with lifestyle changes to reduce itching and discomfort.
4. You have a cyst.
Another potential cause is a cyst. An epidermoid cyst is a closed sac underneath the skin that is filled with keratins (a type of protein in your skin and hair) and debris, says Dr. Zubritsky. It usually forms when the surface skin is folded in on itself, which is often the case in a belly button. As skin grows, dead skin cells can't be shed like it can elsewhere on the body.
It can leak a cheese-like substance and have a foul-smelling odor, but it is typically not dangerous and does not require treatment. But if it starts causing symptoms of signs of inflammation, see your derm or primary care doctor for guidance. They may recommend putting a warm, moist compress over your belly button to help it drain and heal.
The bottom line: A smelly belly button is not something you need to worry about unless you spot other concerning symptoms like redness, flakiness, or discharge. The best way to get rid of and prevent odor is to clean the area regularly with a gentle soap and water.
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