You may need to wash your belly button more frequently if you’ve been sweating a lot (e. g. , after exercise or when the weather is hot).
In general, the soap or cleanser you use for the rest of your body should work fine for your belly button. Use a gentle, unscented soap or bodywash if scented soaps cause drying or irritation. You can also use saltwater to gently cleanse your belly button. Mix 1 teaspoon (about 6 g) of table salt with 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water and dip a washcloth in the solution. Carefully massage the saltwater into your navel, then rinse it away with plain water. [5] X Research source Saltwater can kill germs and loosen dirt, and you may find it less drying and irritating than soap.
Don’t scrub hard—you could irritate the delicate skin in and around your belly button.
You can keep moisture from building up in your belly button by dressing in cool, loose clothing when the weather is warm or any time you might break a sweat.
You may be able to safely moisturize your belly button with a little baby oil or light moisturizing lotion if you have an outie rather than an innie. [9] X Research source Stop using moisturizer if you experience bad odors, itching and irritation, or other signs of infection.
Scaly red skin Tenderness or swelling in or around your belly button Itching Yellow or green fluid or pus leaking from your belly button Fever or general feelings of illness or fatigue
The appropriate treatment will be different depending on whether your infection is caused by bacteria, fungus, or yeast. Don’t try to guess what kind of infection you have, since using the wrong treatment could do more harm than good. Your doctor may swab your belly button to get a sample for testing. This can help them determine what’s causing your infection.
Resisting the urge to scratch or pick at your infected belly button Changing and washing your bedsheets and clothing regularly to prevent reinfection Avoiding sharing towels with other people Wearing loose, comfortable clothing to help keep your belly button cool and dry Cleansing your belly button daily with a saltwater solution
Ask your doctor for detailed instructions on how to clean and care for your cyst at home. They may recommend putting a warm, dry compress over the area 3-4 times a day. If they applied a dressing, you will need to change it at least once a day until your doctor says you can stop using it. [14] X Research source If your doctor packed the cyst with gauze, you’ll need to return to have it removed after 2 days. Wash the wound with warm water once a day until it heals (usually within 5 days). [15] X Research source If the cyst comes back, you might need to have surgery to remove it completely. For deep cysts, such as urachal cysts, the surgeon will probably make a tiny incision and remove the cyst using delicate instruments, guided by a camera. [16] X Research source You will likely need to stay in the hospital for 2-3 days after the surgery, and should be able to return to your regular activities in about 2 weeks. [17] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
In many cases, navel stones don’t cause any symptoms. Sometimes, however, they can cause sores and infections to develop. You can prevent navel stones by cleaning your belly button regularly with soap and water.
