Why does my belly button smell?
Your belly button has its own tiny, thriving ecosystem that may be home to more than 100 types of bacteria, according to one major analysis (although the average is around 60 types). Well, if you think about it, your navel is an attractive place for bacteria to hang out: comfortable folds of skin, not much air to whip them away  and theyre often undisturbed because we dont always clean inside it regularly. Most of the time they stay in low numbers. But if the bacteria are given a chance to multiply, they can get out of control. This is even more likely to happen if you have an innie, or if you have a piercing (the perfect cavity to house some unwanted guests). Its the abundance of bacteria, along with the sweat, grime and fluff that can collect there, that could give your belly button a bit of a whiff. But dont worry  its easy to sort. A quick clean with soap during your normal shower can usually eliminate any odours. But dont use moisturiser  aggressive cleaning and excess moisture can also encourage bacterial growth. Next time youre navel-gazing, imagine all the little organisms feasting in there and take a moment to send them packing. Read more:  Advertisement  To submit your questions email us at questions@sciencefocus.com (dont forget to include your name and location)