Beware of navel stones: why you should wash your belly button

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Most people pay no attention to their belly buttons. But you should never forget it when showering: Lack of care can have unpleasant consequences.

It is perhaps the most neglected part of the body: the belly button. When we shower, we tend to leave out this small area on our stomach. The belly button no longer has a function in adulthood; it is a remnant of the umbilical cord through which we are supplied with blood, oxygen, and nutrients in the womb. However, if we neglect it, this can have consequences for our health.

Because it is hidden between the folds of the abdomen and the skin, the belly button is easy to overlook when showering. However, it is also the ideal environment for bacterial growth. Over time, dead skin cells, sweat, sebum, and possibly small pieces of lint from clothing accumulate in the navel. If these are not removed over a longer period of time, navel stones can develop.

Navel stone, also known medically as omphalolite, is a solid, brown, or black formation that is difficult to remove and can lead to inflammation. The problem is that it can be painful and is not easy to remove.

Under no circumstances should you try to remove the stone by “force”. It may be anchored to the surrounding skin, which can cause injury if you simply try to scrape or pull it off. First, the navel stone should be softened with a bit of oil (such as baby oil) – this takes about two to three days. Simply apply the oil gently with a cotton bud.

Once the navel stone has softened, it should be easy to remove with tweezers. Then rinse the navel thoroughly with warm water and dry.

If the skin on the navel is damaged during removal or the navel stone cannot be completely removed, a doctor should be consulted.

Cleaning the navel properly
Avoiding navel stones and other inflammations of the navel is very simple: when showering, simply clean it carefully with your finger using a little water and mild soap, and then gently dab it dry.