The average navel is filled with 67 types of bacteria: this is how to clean yours
It becomes quite disgusting in there!
Like it or not, low height jeans are back on the stage, which means that the belly pimples are displayed again. However, experts say that the average navel is far away Less hygienic that you could imagine it. In fact, it is filled with around 67 species of bacteria. Eww .
To the delight of this flourishing colony of bacteria, most people wash the belly pimples less frequently - and less effectively - that they should, which can lead to an unpleasant odor, or even to an infection.
Wondering how to keep your navel clean? Read the rest to find out more about the shocking study that exposed the dirty truth about your navel and to know how to bring your navel hygiene to the code.
Read this then: Never take in the shower if you see this, CDC warns .
Your navel crawls with bacteria.
According to a 2012 study published in the journal Plos a , your navel is likely bacteria , both common and new. The researchers behind the study enlisted 66 men and women to listen to their belly pimples with a Q-TIP, and found that the average navel contains 67 different species of bacteria.
Perhaps more shocking, the team found a total of 2,368 species of bacteria in all. "We have much more bacteria species that we expected, " Rob Dunn , PHD, the main author of the study and associate professor of biology at the North Carolina State University in Raleigh said NBC News .
However, certain types of bacteria were omnipresent between participants - eight of the most common types of bacteria were identified in 70% of the whole group. These include Staphylococci ,, Micrococcus ,, Bacillus , and more.
Read this then: If you do this in the shower, stop immediately, the doctor says .
Most belly pimples are not cleaned quite often.
Unlike most others skin surface On your body, the interior of your navel is hidden, making it less exposed to air, water and soap. It also tends to trap sweat, dirt, dead skin, etc., which makes it an ideal environment for bacteria to develop.
Compared to the other parts of the body, the navel is also often neglected during showers and baths. Although some experts recommend making a Deep navel cleaning Once a week, few people follow this bacteria diet.
Here's how to clean yours.
Most of the time, people with an "innie" navel can plan to clean it just as they would do any other part of the body: with soap and water. However, if you notice an unwanted odor emanating from Your navel Or feel otherwise less than that, the medical center of the University of Pittsburgh (UPMC) has another suggestion: "Dip your finger or a soft toilet glove in a solution of salt water (about a spoon to Coffee of table salt in a cup of lukewarm water) and gently massage the interior of your navel, "they advise, adding that this should loosen the obstinate and old germs. They then suggest rinse with ordinary water, type the area dry and avoid putting lotions or creams on this part of your body.
Those who have navel piercings may also need a special cleaning routine to avoid infection. Soak your navel during the bath, wash the piercing with a soft antibacterial soap and make sure to remove any additional crust or debris with a cotton swab or a sterile gauze cushion. Rinse again, then dab the area with a piece of clean gauze soaked in a saline solution.
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Here is when calling the doctor.
Although a smelly navel is little likely to indicate a serious health problem, UPMC notes that if the problem persists after adopting a new cleaning routine, it is best to visit your doctor. In particular, "if you develop redness, swelling, pain or discharge, your navel could be infected", a most common problem in people with navel piercings. If this happens to you, your doctor should be able to prescribe antibiotics or other treatments to alleviate your symptoms. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB