Body odor is natural part of human physiognomy, while some people may experience less of it, it can be stronger in others. This odor is not uniform throughout your body, certain body part smell more, like your armpits, groin and feet. The Cleveland clinic explains that this smell is due to bacteria and smell on your skin. Your body odor can also change if you are on medication, or ate a certain food or even experience some hormonal changes.

Similarly, It's common for belly buttons to have a slight odor, but sometimes it can become noticeable and unpleasant. While a little smell is often nothing to worry about, a strong, foul odor, especially when combined with other symptoms, could be a sign of a more serious problem. It's important to understand the possible causes of a smelly belly button so you can take the right steps to address it. Knowing when to simply clean it better versus when to seek medical help is key to keeping yourself healthy.

Possible Causes of Belly Button Odor

If your belly button smells bad and you also have redness, swelling, pain, or bleeding, you should see a doctor. These symptoms could be a sign of an infection that needs medical treatment Here are some reasons why this may be happening.

Not Cleaning It Well

Just like any other part of your body, your belly button needs regular cleaning. If you skip cleaning it with soap and water, things like dirt, sweat, and natural oils can build up inside. As explained above, his buildup creates a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to a musty or unpleasant smell. This is especially true if you have a deep belly button, as it has folds and crevices that are harder to reach and clean properly. A deep belly button is a warm, damp place, which is exactly what bacteria love.

Stuff Getting Stuck

Even if you take regular showers, your belly button can still collect things like dead skin cells, lint from your clothes, and other small pieces of debris. WebMD explains that these things can get trapped inside, and when mixed with moisture from sweat or water, they can start to smell bad. Sometimes, these things can clump together and form a hard, smelly lump called a navel stone. This stone can be quite smelly, even though it's usually not painful.

Bacterial Infections

We all have bacteria on our skin, but sometimes they can cause infections. According to WebMD if bacteria get inside your belly button, especially through a small cut or scratch, they can multiply and cause an infection. Infections like impetigo and cellulitis can cause redness, swelling, pain, and pus, along with a bad smell. People with weak immune systems or poor blood flow are more likely to get these infections. If these infections are not treated, they can lead to serious problems, so it's important to see a doctor.

Yeast Infections

Yeast, which is a type of fungus, can also grow in your belly button, especially if it's warm and moist. According to the Cleveland Clinic a common type of yeast is Candida. Yeast infections can cause a sour, bread-like smell, along with redness and itching. Sweating a lot, wearing tight clothes, or taking antibiotics can increase your risk. People with diabetes or weak immune systems are also more likely to get yeast infections. These infections usually go away with antifungal creams, but it's important to keep the area dry to prevent them from coming back.

Cysts

Cysts are small, fluid-filled bumps that can form under the skin. They can happen when dead skin cells and oils get trapped in your belly button. Most of the time, these cysts are harmless and don't cause any problems. But sometimes, they can become infected, which can cause them to swell, become red, and release a gray or white discharge with a cheesy smell. If a cyst gets infected, it might need to be drained by a doctor.

Piercings

If you have a belly button piercing, it's very important to keep it clean. If you don't clean it properly, bacteria can build up around the piercing and cause an infection. Signs of an infection include pain, redness, swelling, and smelly pus. If the infection is not treated, it can spread to your bloodstream and cause serious health problems. Cleaning your piercing regularly with warm, soapy water can help prevent infections.

The Times Network India Health Summit 2026 brought together policymakers, clinicians, researchers and healthcare industry leaders to discuss the future of India's healthcare system, with conversations spanning medical innovation, access to treatment, mental health, women's health and preventive care.

The third edition of the Times Network India Health Summit & Awards was held in New Delhi on October 28 under the theme, The Blueprint for a Future-Ready Healthcare Ecosystem: Innovation. Access. Self-Reliance.

From the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnostics to advances in fertility treatment and the need to strengthen public health infrastructure, various sessions explored several aspects of how healthcare delivery could evolve. Here are the key discussions and takeaways from the summit.

Anupriya Patel Highlights India's Healthcare Priorities Including Ayushman Bharat Coverage

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel addressed the summit on building a future-ready healthcare ecosystem. With around 500 Ayushman Bharat cards issued, Patel also said that 132.5 million people had received free treatment under the scheme.

She also addressed India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, stating that Union health budget increased from around Rs 37,000 crore in 2014 to more than Rs 1.06 lakh crore.

Also read: Infertility Affects 1 In 6 Couples: Experts Highlight Age, IVF Costs & Male Fertility At Times Health Summit 2026

Delhi Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Singh Addressed Air Pollution Crisis

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh answered key questions about the city’s looming air pollution crisis. He said that the government's various pollution-control measures, including electric vehicle (EV) policy can help fight it. He also spoke about the need for long-term solutions.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav, Madhya Pradesh Minister of State Narendra Shivaji Patel and Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, were also scheduled to address different aspects of healthcare policy and delivery.

Padma Bhushan Dr S K Sarin On Liver Health

Padma Bhushan Dr Shiv Kumar Sarin, leading hepatologist, gastroenterologist, and medical educator who also serves as the Senior Professor, Chancellor, and Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), recently spoke about the dos and don’ts to maintain a healthy liver at the Times Health Summit 2026.

From ideal breakfast time to late night eating, the expert spoke about common lifestyle mistakes people make that could worsen their liver health.

Also read: Unspoken Side Of Breast Cancer: Experts Discuss Recurrence Risk, Emotional Toll & Societal Impact At Times Health Summit 2026

Need For Investment In Ayurveda & AYUSH Sector

The session From Tradition to Therapeutics: The New Science of AYUSH was based on the role of traditional medicine in India's healthcare landscape.

Dr Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, Founder of BRC Clinics Health, and Dr Tanmay Goswami, Founder of Goswal, discussed Ayurveda, its potential applications and questions surrounding its integration with modern medicine.

The speakers spoke about Ayurveda’s scientific research, evidence, AYUSH funding, clinical applications and integration with western medicine. The experts said that Ayurveda sector is valued at approximately $17–18 billion, while China's traditional medicine sector is estimated at around $30 billion, calling for greater investment in the sector.

Mental Health: Suicide Risk, Screen Addiction & More

Mental healthcare was another focus, with Dr Deepak Kumar, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), discussing The Next Frontier in Indian Psychiatry: Specialization, Geriatric Mental Health, and De-addiction Strategies.

The doctor discussed immediate threat of suicidal thoughts, warning behavioural signs, screen addiction and need for parents to supervise and limit screen use in children.

Also read: Leading Gastroenterologist Padma Bhushan Dr S K Sarin Shares Dos & Don’ts For Healthy Liver At Times Health Summit 2026

Aftermath Breast Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment

Women's health was featured prominently at the summit, with the knowledge session Take Charge Together: Shaping a Future of Greater Breast Cancer Awareness and Better Outcomes.

The session featured Dr Meenu Walia, Chairman of Medical Oncology at Max Healthcare; Vaishali Iyer, Country Head of Communications, Patient Advocacy and CSR at Novartis in India; and Dr Pankaj Goyal, Senior Consultant and Unit Head of Medical Oncology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute.

The experts focused on the risk of recurrence, the emotional toll of breast cancer treatment, financial and societal hardships, body image issues, intimacy problems and other challenges patients face after leaving the hospital.

Fertility Treatment And Parenthood

The panel The Fertility Revolution: Reimagining Parenthood in Modern India spoke about the evolving field of reproductive medicine and the challenges faced by people seeking fertility treatment.

The speakers included Dr Ranjana Sharma, Senior Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital; Dr Vimal Grover, Senior Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Fortis LaFemme; Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Founder and Managing Director of Bloom IVF India; and Dr Abha Majumdar, Emeritus Consultant in IVF and Human Reproduction at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

The session brought attention to fertility preservation, IVF costs, male infertility, stigma women face, and the judgments that come with seeking IVF for starting a family.

Also read: Experts Discuss Ayurveda For Treating Lifestyle Disorders, Medical Emergencies & Trauma At Times Health Summit 2026

Why Menopause Is A Long-Overlooked Health Issue

The session From Silence to Care: Why India Can No Longer Ignore Menopause focused on menopause and the need to bring greater attention to women's health during midlife.

The session was led by Sanjith Shetty, Founder and CEO of Miror. He spoke about the suicide rates among menopausal women, along with other life challenges like divorces, retirements, and social isolation.

Digging Deeper Into Longevity Science

The fireside chat From LifeSpan to HealthSpan: Can Science Help Us Live Longer and Better? explored the science of longevity and the difference between living longer and maintaining good health for more years.

The conversation featured Dr Chirantan Bose and Dr Preetesh Bhandari, founders of Vytalyou. They spoke about the importance of maintaining muscle health, monitoring neurological health, and warding off lifestyle diseases like obesity and diabetes.

Other Sessions

The role of technology in modern medicine was explored in Precision Diagnostics: AI, Genomics & The New Era Of Personalized Care. The panel featured Dr Arjun Dang, CEO and Partner at Dr Dangs Lab; Dr Manish Vaish, Director and Head of the Institute of Neurosciences at Medanta, Noida; and Dr Belal Bin Asaf, Director of the Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco-Surgery and Lung Transplant at Medanta, Noida.

The discussion focused on the evolving role of artificial intelligence and genomics in diagnostics, personalised treatment and improving diagnostic accuracy.

The future of specialised medical services was examined in The Next Frontier of Advanced Care: Scaling Capacity, Innovation & Clinical Excellence. The session brought together Dr V.S. Chauhan, Chairman and Managing Director of Prakash Hospitals and Institutions, and Prof. Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman of Nephron Clinic.

The discussion centred on expanding advanced healthcare capacity, strengthening clinical excellence and leveraging innovation and technology to improve patient outcomes while making specialised treatment more accessible.

Addressing the challenges of equitable healthcare delivery, Reengineering Public Health Infrastructure: Last-Mile Delivery, Digital Health Equity, and Rural Access brought together Dr Anoop Saraya of the Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences; Dr Charu Dutt Arora of AmeriHealth Home Healthcare, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences; Dr Gyanendra Kumar of Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences; Girish Krishnamurthy, CEO of Tata Medical & Diagnostics; and Dr Jyoti Wadhwa of Apollo Athenaa Women's Cancer Centres.

The session focused on strengthening public health infrastructure, improving rural and last-mile access, and exploring the role of digital health and healthcare delivery models in bridging gaps in access to medical services.

The journey of a breast cancer patient does not end when their treatment comes to a conclusion. There is always a risk of recurrence, which makes regular follow-ups and adherence to treatment important.

At the Times Network India Health Summit and Awards 2026 in New Delhi, a panel formed by Dr Priya Parmar, Chief Operating Officer, Indian Cancer Society, Delhi, Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa - Principal Lead of Medical and Precision Oncology, Apollo Athena Women’s Cancer Centres, New Delhi and Apollo Hospital, Gurgaon, Dr. Meenu Walia, Chairman Medical Oncology, Max Healthcare, Dr Pankaj Goyal, Sr Consultant and Unit Head, Medical Oncology, RGCI, and Vaishali Iyer, Country Head, Communications, Patient Advocacy and CSR, Novartis in India, discussed the big picture after breast cancer treatment.

During a panel discussion titled “Take Charge Together: Shaping a Future of Greater Breast Cancer Awareness and Better Outcomes,” experts highlighted the physical, emotional, social and financial challenges that women may continue to face after treatment among many more.

What Comes After Breast Cancer Treatment?

For many women, the period after breast cancer can involve more than medical monitoring. They may face fatigue, menopausal symptoms and changes in body image after undergoing a major physical change, while concerns about intimacy, fertility and relationships can affect emotional and mental well-being.

Dr. Priya Parmar highlighted how losing a breast or hair can affect a woman's sense of identity and femininity. Some survivors also face social stigma related to marriage and fertility, while sexual health and relationship concerns may remain difficult to discuss.

The burden can be greater for women who lack family support or have limited financial resources. These circumstances may affect not only emotional recovery but also their ability to attend follow-up appointments and continue treatment.

The financial strain can become particularly difficult if cancer returns and further investigations or treatment are required.

Dr. Meenu Walia said that treatment for advanced disease can add to the economic burden faced by patients and their families.

Also read: Vanessa Trump Recovers From 'Very Invasive' Breast Cancer, Reveals Early Sign Of The Disease

Risk Of Recurrence

The risk of breast cancer recurrence is not the same for every patient. It depends on the cancer's stage and subtype, tumour grade, lymph node involvement, response to treatment and whether treatment is timely.

Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa explained that different breast cancer subtypes can follow different recurrence patterns.

Triple-negative breast cancer tends to recur earlier, often within the first two to three years after treatment. Hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, however, can return even 10 to 20 years later.

She also said that patients who achieve a pathological complete response after treatment given before surgery may have a lower risk of recurrence than those with residual disease.

However, a lower estimated risk does not mean the risk is eliminated. Continued monitoring is important even for patients who have responded well to treatment.

Also read: Beyond the Lump: Overlooked Breast Cancer Symptoms That Can Delay Diagnosis

Feeling Better Is Not A Reason To Skip Follow-Ups

One concern raised by the experts was that some patients stop taking prescribed oral hormone therapy or miss appointments after their symptoms improve.

“Your first attempt at treatment is always your best attempt,” Dr. Walia said, underlining the importance of appropriate diagnosis and treatment from the outset.

Follow-up care helps doctors monitor a patient's recovery, assess treatment-related effects and make decisions based on individual clinical circumstances. The appropriate schedule and any further treatment depend on the patient's diagnosis, risk profile and medical history.

Experts also cautioned against allowing the possibility of recurrence to dominate a survivor's life. Understanding individual risk should help patients make informed decisions, rather than leave them in constant fear that cancer will return.

Post-Treatment Care Needs More Than Medical Monitoring

The long-term effects of breast cancer also have implications beyond the individual patient. Vaishali Iyer, Country Head of Communications, Patient Advocacy and CSR at Novartis in India, highlighted an estimated 140 million productive hours lost due to breast cancer care, drawing attention to its wider economic impact.

Dr. Wadhwa emphasised the need to address treatment-related concerns, including menopausal symptoms and bone health, which may require attention even after primary cancer treatment has ended.

Dr. Pankaj Goyal, Senior Consultant and Unit Head of Medical Oncology at RGCI, stressed that doctors must build trust with patients and explain recurrence risks without causing unnecessary alarm. Discussions about care should also account for patients' personal circumstances and financial constraints.

The panel discussion, titled “Take Charge Together: Shaping a Future of Greater Breast Cancer Awareness and Better Outcomes,” took place at the Times Network India Health Summit and Awards 2026.

Padma Bhushan Dr Shiv Kumar Sarin, leading hepatologist, gastroenterologist, and medical educator who also serves as the Senior Professor, Chancellor, and Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), recently spoke about the dos and don’ts to maintain a healthy liver at the Times Health Summit 2026.

Held under the theme “The Blueprint for a Future-Ready Healthcare Ecosystem – Innovation. Access. Self-Reliance,” the summit brought together healthcare professionals and industry stakeholders to discuss innovation, access to treatment and policy approaches shaping India's healthcare sector.

Should You Drink Hot Water In The Morning For Bowel Movement?

The doctor addressed the daily morning ritual of drinking hot water in the morning, which a lot of people follow to release bowels.

Dr Sarin said, “Don't use hot water or anything for that matter to make you go to the toilet because it is the connection between the brain and the bowel that is very important.

He also spoke about opting for other drinks like coconut water or lemon water with honey. He said that lemon can help improve iron absorption in your body.

He added, “As per coconut water is concerned, it has potassium which is very good for your bowel health but it should still not be an everyday thing. For nimbu and honey, you should remember that honey has fructose. So if you are consuming honey, you also need to churn that out."

Also read: Fatty Liver Disease: Scientists Identify 5 Subtypes With Different Health Risks

Ideal Time for Breakfast

Many of us do not know what is the right time for breakfast. It is especially important as eating after fasting for eight to ten hours affects your energy and metabolic health throughout the day.

Dr Sarin said, "It's after sunrise. Minimum 12 hours after the last food that you have eaten. Ussay pehle galti nahi kariyega khaanay ki. Let the stomach, and the bacteria and the intestine recover."

He also spoke about whether you should have fruits for breakfast. "Breakfast should be fruits. And, low calories fruits. Avoid carbs."

Also read: The Changing Obesity Treatment Landscape: Where Does Bariatric Surgery Fit in the Age of Weight-Loss Drugs?

How Coffee Affects The Liver

There is a lot of information as well as misinformation about coffee consumption and liver health. Dr S K Sarin spoke in its favour and said that it could prevent a lot of liver conditions.

He said, "It does many things. it clears several toxic things including fat, clears the flow of bile, good enzyme inducer, prevents fibrosis of the liver and can decrease cirrhosis and also the development of liver cancer."

He also warned ignoring healthy dietary habits and simply relying on coffee is also not ideal. He added, "Coffee is not medicine, it is something which can help you prevent and not treat."

Is Your Lunch Completely Healthy?

Dr Sarin also warned against eating more amount carbohydrates than the recommended limit. He explained how sitting next to an obese person can make you feel physically lethargic as their breath may emit endogenous alcohol.

When you eat a carbohydrate-heavy meal, your digestive system breaks down carbohydrates into sugars. Certain microorganisms in the gut, including yeasts and some bacteria, can ferment these sugars and produce small amounts of ethanol, or alcohol. This is known as endogenous alcohol production.

Dr Sarin recommends eating low-carb meals for lunch like sprouts, vegetables, yoghurt, buttermilk or low-sugar fruits.

Late-Night Eating Is A Red Flag

Dr Sarin recommends having dinner before sunset. He also said that having late-night dinners could disrupt your sleep.

He added, "Obesity during youth increases the risk of heart disease later in life. After the age of 40, eating one meal a day may have health implications. The total daily calorie intake should not exceed 300–400. Avoid eating late at night. Eating late can also affect your insulin resistance."

Yearly Screening To Keep Liver Health In Check

Dr Sarin also said that thin people can also have unhealthy fat that may cause fatty liver. He recommended yearly screens to keep liver health in check.

He said, "Even thin people can have excess body fat and low muscle mass, which may affect their health. Being thin does not necessarily mean being healthy. Maintaining good muscle mass is important."