5 Reasons Your Belly Button Smells

If your belly button smells, it's likely a sign of poor hygiene or an infection. The belly button—also known as your navel or umbilicus—is a tiny scar that forms when the umbilical cord is cut after birth. 

Bacteria and fungi thrive in dark, damp environments. So a belly button's indented shape and skin folds can create the perfect breeding ground for odor-causing sweat, dirt, fungi, and bacteria.

It's normal for a belly button to smell like body odor if it hasn't been cleaned. But if regular washing doesn't get rid of the smell, the smell is something other than body odor, or your belly button is swollen, itchy, and red, it may be something more.    

Here's what may be causing your belly button odor—and what you can do to make it smell better.

1.Lack of Proper Hygiene

The belly button is such a small area of skin that it's easy to skip over when showering. But if you don't regularly wash your belly button, its small folds can collect bacteria, dead skin cells, sweat, and dirt. This uptick in bacteria and sweat can lead to a foul body odor smell as bacteria break down proteins in your sweat. Research has found nearly 300 different types of bacteria in people's belly buttons.  

In addition to a smelly belly button, you may also see a brown patch of skin inside your belly button. Known medically as dermatitis neglecta, this patch is a buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, and sweat from lack of washing. The patch can easily be removed by gently cleaning your belly button with a washcloth and soapy water.   

2.Bacterial Infection

A belly button that smells like cheese or that has a sour, sulfur-like odor could be a sign of a bacterial infection. Not washing your belly button properly lets bacteria grow in the moist folds. A tear or cut on the belly button—including a belly button piercing—can also increase your risk of a bacterial infection. 

Bacteria can cause skin infections like cellulitis, impetigo, and staphylococcal (staph) infections. Staph is already one of the most common bacteria living in your belly button. If you have a belly button piercing, it can become infected with a staph or cellulitis infection from bacteria entering your open wound.

Other signs of a bacterial infection in your belly button include: 

• Rash
• Swelling
• Redness
• Pain 
• Itchiness
• Pus  

3.Yeast Infection

An overgrowth of yeast (or fungus) called Candida can lead to a fungal infection that makes your belly button smell foul or musty. Like the skin on the rest of your body, the belly button has naturally occurring yeast that usually doesn't cause issues. But if yeast overgrows in the belly button, it can cause a skin yeast infection in the folds of your navel.

Yeast can overgrow in the belly button when the skin folds retain moisture, making a perfect environment for yeast to thrive. Not washing your belly button, wearing tight undergarments, and getting sweaty in hot weather can increase your risk of developing a yeast infection in your belly button. People with psoriasis and diabetes are also more prone to skin yeast infections. 

Other belly button yeast infection symptoms can include:

• Itchy skin
• Pain
• Prickling sensations
• Red, inflamed rash in your navel folds
• Pus-filled swollen bumps 
• Bloody, cracked skin

4.Urachal Cyst

Sometimes, a smelly belly button can indicate an infected urachal cyst. A urachal cyst forms when the urachus—the area that connects the bladder and belly button—in a developing fetus doesn't go away after birth. The leftover urachas tissue and fluid can form a cyst (a sac-like pocket) between the bladder and belly button. 

Some people won't experience any symptoms or complications from a urachal cyst. But if the cyst becomes infected, urine can begin to drain into the belly button, causing discharge and a foul odor.  

Other symptoms of an infected urachal cyst can include:

• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Peeing blood (hematuria)
• Pain or burning sensation when peeing

5.Navel Stone

A navel stone is a rare, stone-like mass in the belly button made of sebum (oil) and keratin (skin protein). The stone is also known as an omphalolith or umbilith.

People with deep belly buttons and people who have trouble keeping their belly buttons clean are more likely to develop navel stones. Navel stones usually look brownish-black due to skin pigment called melanin as sebum and keratin accumulate and harden in the belly button. 

Navel stones don't usually smell, but they can give off a foul odor if they become infected. Other symptoms of an infected naval stone include:

• Pain 
• Discharge 
• Swelling 
• Red skin
• Itchiness
• Bleeding 

How To Get Rid of Belly Button Odor

If a smelly belly button is caused by poor hygiene, properly cleaning your belly button should help eliminate any built-up sweat, yeast, or bacteria-causing odor. To clean your belly button during a shower: 

1. Lather your finger or a wet washcloth with mild, fragrance-free soap.
2. Gently massage your belly button with your soapy finger or washcloth to loosen up any buildup and clean the area. 
3. Rinse your belly button with warm water (repeat washing if you still notice any dark patches or buildup). 
4. After your shower, towel dry your belly button so it isn't damp—fungi and bacteria love dark, moist environments. 
   

If you regularly lotion your whole body, make sure you skip moisturizing the inside of your belly button. Putting lotion inside an innie belly button can create a dark, moist area that allows more odor-causing bacteria and fungi to grow. 

If the odor is coming from something other than lack of proper hygiene, you might need treatment to get rid of the odor.

If a healthcare provider confirms you have an infection, treatment will depend on the underlying cause. To treat a yeast infection in your belly button, you may be prescribed an antifungal cream or powder to eliminate Candida yeast and prevent more growth. Bacterial infections may be treated with topical antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics. 

You might also be prescribed oral antibiotics if you have an infected urachal cyst. More severe infections require intravenous (IV) antibiotics. In addition to antibiotics, urachal cysts may also need to be drained or removed through laparoscopic surgery. This surgical technique creates a small cut in the belly button so that a narrow tube can be inserted. The tube allows the surgeon to drain or cut out the urachal cyst.

If you have a navel stone, a healthcare provider can remove it using forceps or tweezers. They will likely put a cotton ball soaked in sterile saline or glycerin on your belly button first to soften the stone so it's easier to remove. 

When To See a Healthcare Provider

See your healthcare provider if you've washed your belly button and still notice an unusual smell. A smelly belly button should go away if it's hygiene-related. Persistent odor may be a sign of an infection that needs treatment. 

Other signs you may want to see a healthcare provider include:

• Red skin in and around the belly button
• Swelling of the belly button area
• Pain in or near your belly button
• Pus coming out of your belly button
• Itching skin inside and around your belly button
• Warm or tender belly button skin 
• Fever
  

How To Prevent Belly Button Odor

The best way to prevent belly button odor is to keep your skin clean. How often you shower depends on your activity level and health, but you should wash your body—and belly button—with warm water and mild soap at least a few times a week. Practicing proper hygiene can help prevent the buildup of sweat, yeast, and bacteria that lead to odor and infections.

Some additional hygiene tips to keep your belly button smell- and infection-free include:  

• Use clean washcloths and towels: Replace your washcloths and towels regularly to help avoid rubbing bacteria into your belly button. Letting them air dry outside the shower between uses will also help reduce bacterial growth. 
• Keep belly button piercings clean: Wash belly button piercings with gentle soap or sterile saline solution. Avoid touching your piercing as much as possible, as doing so can transfer more bacteria to the skin.
• Avoid nickel belly button jewelry: Piercing jewelry made with surgical-grade stainless steel is a safer choice. Nickel belly rings are more likely to cause allergic reactions that can become infected.  
• Shower after sweaty activities: Washing after a sweaty workout or active job removes sweat and grime buildup that can contribute to fungal and bacterial infections.
• Wash up after swimming: Don't skip the shower after your swim—even if you feel clean. Pools and other bodies of water can spread germs that lead to skin rashes and other infections. 

A Quick Review

Poor hygiene can cause bacteria, sweat, and dirt buildup that makes your belly button smell. Usually, you can get your belly button smelling fresh and prevent future odors just by regularly washing your navel. However, a smelly belly button may indicate an infection caused by bacteria or yeast. It could also be a sign of a navel stone or urachal cyst. All of these conditions would likely need treatment for the smell to go away. Consider contacting your healthcare provider if you notice your belly button smells and you have other symptoms like pain, swelling, or redness.