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Original poster

Smelly belly button

33 replies

YoJesse · 23/10/2016 09:30

So embarrassing. I've got an innovative belly button and when I stuck my finger in there it smelt .
I've tried cleaning it with a cotton wool bud but I still feel it's a bit yucky.
Is this a sign of something bad and if it's just a cleaning issue how do you deal with yours?

OP posts:

Original poster

YoJesse · 23/10/2016 09:31

Oh fuck an inny belly button

OP posts:

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 23/10/2016 09:32

Just use soap in the shower!

Original poster

YoJesse · 23/10/2016 09:33

I do. I wash almost daily

OP posts:

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 23/10/2016 09:35

Perhaps wash daily?

PoldarksBreeches · 23/10/2016 09:36

Everybody's belly button is smelly. Mine is pretty deep because I'm a chubster which might have something to do with it!

CalypsoValdez · 23/10/2016 09:36

You're probably not drying it after you wash?

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 23/10/2016 09:37

Because it's a dark moist warm hole it's a bit more susceptible to fungal infections in the like.

BeBopTalulah · 23/10/2016 09:37

The nature of the belly button means that it is likely to become smelly. It's dark, warm and moist and sweat and dirt 'gather' there. If this is the first time you've noticed, it's likely that it's always been like that. Poking around with it will probably irritate it, but just make sure you're giving it a clean out every day when you shower. People do get mild infections, usually after they've tried to investigate with pointy things.... Signs of that would be redness, pain or itching and a discharge.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 23/10/2016 09:37

Mine isn't

JinkxMonsoon · 23/10/2016 09:39

I had a very deep belly button (before two pregnancies stretched it out beyond all recognition) and once discovered this. It's just because it's an area that can get missed when showering which encourages bacteria. Just be more thorough when showering and drying and it'll be fine.

Boogers · 23/10/2016 09:47

My sister's belly button was very smelly to the point that she used to clean it out with TCP and witch hazel but it still stank. I have a theory that the more she cleaned it the more it stank as I don't especially wash mine but it doesn't smell, or certainly not offensive like hers.

One of the horrible things she used to do to me was stick her fingers in her belly button and then put them under my nose, saying "sniff that". One of the many, many reasons we're nc.

Original poster

YoJesse · 23/10/2016 09:57

Glad it's not just me! I don't think it's lack of washing. I shower most days.
I tried a wooden bbq stick but it hurt after. I'm so embarrassed writing this.

boogers that's gross. I can imagine my brother doing that

OP posts:

Original poster

YoJesse · 23/10/2016 09:59

Does anyone have any good cleaning tips?

OP posts:

twodrinkswithlunch · 23/10/2016 10:02

Wash, dry as thoroughly as possible then put on some sudocrem

BusterGonad · 23/10/2016 10:08

Maybe try some anti-fungal cream for sweat rash etc. if anything is a Miss with it that should clear it up!

BeBopTalulah · 23/10/2016 10:33

You tried a wooden BBQ stick.......

.....please see above about 'pointy things'. That counts as a pointy thing. Please don't do that

I really wouldn't do anything drastic or start sticking TCP in your belly button. You will upset the balance of normal bacteria on your skin long term. Honestly....a soapy pinky finger in the shower will suffice...

Boogers · 23/10/2016 10:50

I agree with talulah, it doesn't help in the long term, only transiently. Just use a soapy pinky to clean it.

Is it an offensive smell that you (or others) can smell without you sticking your finger in?

sadie9 · 23/10/2016 11:01

A blob on Canesten or Daktarin cream or any anti-fungal on a cotton bud. It's not life threatening or harmful, just inconvenient.

JinkxMonsoon · 23/10/2016 13:55

I don't think it's lack of washing. I shower most days

But do you actually soap inside your belly button and dry it afterwards? It never used to occur to me to do that, but it makes a difference.

FrickOnAStick · 23/10/2016 14:02

Powdering it with daktarin athletes foot powder (antifungal talc) after a shower/bath/wash helps to keep moisture under control and keeps a lid on any fungal growth (and associated whiff).

daisiesinherfootsteps · 23/10/2016 14:04

Eek. My first though was also fungal infection. Second the advice to stick a blob of canesten in there overnight then a few thorough washes and dry carefully (hairdryer?)

I've only once noticed a smelly belly button and that was on my couple of month old baby. We were out in the sun on a rare occasion without a vest, caught sight of it in the sunlight and it was orange! Later investigation concluded I just hand ever cleaned off all the dead skin that must have grown post cord. Still makes me shudder though.

Original poster

YoJesse · 23/10/2016 15:42

Thanks for the tips. I don't think anyone would be able to smell it. I'm going on a date tonight and if things go well I'm a bit paranoid about his face being there !

OP posts:

Original poster

YoJesse · 23/10/2016 15:43

I don't soap inside my belly button

OP posts:

outofdepth · 23/10/2016 15:46

I had this too - I have a very deep belly button. What worked for me was talc after a thorough wash.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 23/10/2016 16:07

I don't soap inside my belly button

Perhaps start?

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