Health information that can be learned through the navel

Smell coming from the navel

The belly button, which is a hole in the middle of the abdomen, is formed by folded skin and is prone to accumulating dust and bacteria. In the warm and slightly humid environment of the navel, bacteria and fungi can easily proliferate, so experts emphasize the importance of maintaining cleanliness. The most common reason for a smell from the navel is poor hygiene, but some people have deeper navels that are more difficult to clean compared to others. Especially in cases of obesity, cleaning the navel can be even more challenging.

Experts warn that even if you wash thoroughly, persistent bad odor or other symptoms may indicate an infection. Other symptoms that appear along with the odor include rash or swelling around the navel, green or yellow discharge, pain and discomfort, and fever.

Navel lump or bump

A lump that can be felt inside or around the navel may be a hernia. An umbilical hernia occurs when the navel weakens, causing the intestine, fat, or tissue to protrude like a lump. Additionally, umbilical hernias that occur in the navel area are caused by weakness around the navel. Umbilical hernias are very common in infants, especially premature babies, and tend to resolve around the age of 4 to 5 years as the muscles strengthen. In adults, the risk of developing an umbilical hernia is higher if they are overweight or have been pregnant multiple times.

However, experts recommend hernia surgery because a part of the intestine may become trapped, blocking blood flow and risking intestinal obstruction.

Navel stone

If dirt stuck in the navel is not washed for a long time, it can gather and form a hardened lump, which is called an umbilical stone (omphaloithis). Umbilical stones are hardened masses of keratin and sebum that have adhered over many years, usually black in color and varying in size.

It mainly occurs in elderly people with deep and narrow navel, and is more common in obese individuals. If the stones gradually enlarge and are not removed, they can irritate the skin, eventually cause bleeding, or lead to infection.

Navel itching

The navel, like other parts of the body, can be exposed to various skin conditions. In particular, due to its characteristics, eczema that causes itching can occur in the navel, which is deep and moist. Fungal infections or bacterial infections can also cause itching.

Experts suggest washing the navel once during each shower to prevent foreign substances from accumulating inside, and for those with deeply recessed navels, it is recommended to gently clean the inside once a week using a cotton swab.