Our bodies can be full of fascinating if somewhat icky, phenomena. One such wonder? The stuff we often discover hiding in our bellybuttons! From lint to a surprising variety of bacteria, the bellybutton can become a microcosm of peculiar substances. But here’s the real question: should you be picking stuff out of your bellybutton?
Let’s delve into what’s really lurking in your bellybutton and discuss the safest ways to keep it clean.
Your Bellybutton’s Hidden Treasures
The bellybutton (or navel, if you’re feeling scientific) can house a diverse range of things. “Navel fluff”, more commonly known as lint, is one frequent visitor. This fiber from your clothing, or from towels post-shower, often finds its way into your navel thanks to the surrounding hairs directing it inward.
But the bellybutton saga doesn’t end with lint. Given its inverted nature, bellybuttons can easily collect moisture and bacteria. The North Carolina State University’s intriguing “Belly Button Biodiversity Project” found a staggering 2,368 types of bacteria hiding in the navels of 60 participants. Common bacteria included staphylococcus, corynebacterium, and streptococcus.
Moreover, your bellybutton may host an assortment of dirt, sebum (skin oil), and dead skin cells. This mix could lead to comedones (blackheads) in your navel or even the formation of benign pus-filled bumps known as epidermoid cysts.
The Consequences of Bellybutton Exploration
Spotting a piece of lint in your navel and gently removing it? Not a problem. However, actively digging around or scraping the delicate skin can put you at risk for infection. Persistent irritation, especially in a confined area like the bellybutton, can exacerbate skin issues.
Pierced navels deserve special mention here. Habitual picking around the piercing could lead to infection or scar tissue formation. And, in severe cases, constant picking can result in staph or MRSA infections, yeast overgrowth, or prurigo nodularis, which manifests as itchy bumps.
How to Safely Clean Your Bellybutton
While your bellybutton does house a community of bacteria, remember that some of it is beneficial, forming part of your skin’s microbiome, a protective shield against harmful external elements. So, don’t set out on a mission to sterilize your navel.
Yet, if you notice acne, folliculitis, or other bellybutton issues like itchiness or smelliness, it’s a signal that some cleaning might be in order.
Your bellybutton care routine can be simple. Wash it in the shower with soap and water, making sure to dry it thoroughly afterward. For an extra level of cleanliness, gently rub your bellybutton with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. It’s important to keep the area dry afterward.
If you accidentally scrape your skin during this process, consider applying a moisturizer like Aquaphor and covering it with a bandage. The golden rule is to ensure cleanliness and then let it be.
So, Should You Really Be Picking Your Bellybutton?
In short, if it’s just a piece of lint, feel free to gently remove it. But continuous picking or probing inside your bellybutton can lead to infections and other complications. If your bellybutton requires additional cleaning, opt for a safe method using an alcohol-soaked cotton swab, keeping the area dry afterward.
At the end of the day, the bellybutton best practice is a hands-off approach. As the saying goes, sometimes it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie. Or in this case, let bellybuttons be!
