Doctor offers stark warning about the importance of washing belly buttons each day & how the consequences could be gross
A DOCTOR has revealed the very important reason you should clean your belly button regularly, or it could lead to gross consequences.
NHS surgical doctor Dr Karan Rajan shed some light on what can happen if you don’t clean the often-neglected body part.
He explained: “Because of the shape of the navel, things like hair, oil, dirt, skin cells and fabric can collect in here and form natural jewellery, aka a belly button stone or omphalolith.
“This is an accessory you do not want.
“These are stinky and can cause infections.”
His advice split opinion, with some people admitting they’ve never touched their belly buttons, and others shocked that there are those who don’t do it daily.
Dr Tosin Ajayi-Sotubo, presenter of TV show Embarrassing Bodies, gave Boots her professional opinion on how often you should clean your belly button.
She said: “Daily showers help in removing a lot of the bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells.
“However, you should also aim to do a specific clean, focused on the belly button once a week.”
If you don’t, it can get pretty nasty.
Dr Ajayi-Sotubo added: “In rare cases, if these substances build up, this can form a stone-like mass called an omphalolith, which can become trapped inside the belly button.”
But how do you keep your belly button spick and span?
Dr Rajan explained: “Keep it simple.
“Soap and water is fine, and the use of a finger (with a short nail) will suffice.
“If the belly button is particularly deep, you can use a wet cotton bud as that’s what I do when cleaning people’s belly buttons before surgery.
“I’d avoid using products that contain alcohol, as it can dry out the skin if used repeatedly and may lead to redness.”