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.

A majority of women may experience infections during the crucial phase of pregnancy. Some infections during pregnancy may also not show clear symptoms. However, timely awareness and prevention can protect both the mother and the baby.

Pregnancy is a special and sensitive phase in a woman’s life. While most women focus on nutrition and regular check-ups, infections during pregnancy can often be neglected.

Some infections may cause only mild symptoms in the mother but can seriously affect the unborn baby if not detected early. Hence, regular screening, good hygiene, and timely medical care are crucial to prevent most pregnancy-related infections and ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Common Infections During Pregnancy

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

• Vaginal infections

• Respiratory infections

• TORCH infections

• Hepatitis B and C can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth if not properly managed.

Tips To Follow To Prevent Infections During Pregnancy

• Pregnant women should go for regular antenatal check-ups, maintain good personal hygiene, and not use any chemical-laden products.
• Stay hydrated and drink enough water, eat home-cooked food, avoid raw or undercooked items, wash your hands frequently, and get vaccinated as recommended by the doctor.
• Take a flu shot on a priority basis. Avoid contact with rodents and pets.
• Make sure to consult the expert in case of symptoms such as fever, pain, or unusual discharge for prompt intervention.
• Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
• Early detection and treatment will be beneficial in safeguarding both mother and baby and ensuring a healthy pregnancy.

A severe influenza A virus, commonly known as seasonal flu, may not only leave you coughing and feeling feverish, but also silently damage your heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks, according to a study.

A team of researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, US, unraveled that the influenza A virus directly damages the heart by hijacking immune cells. This leads to long-lasting cardiac dysfunction even after the lung infection is cleared.

The study, published in February 2026 in the journal Immunity, focused on an immune cell, known as pro-dendritic cell 3.

The researchers revealed that the pro-dendritic cell 3 acts as the ‘Trojan horse’ of the immune system during flu infection and carries the virus to the heart from the lungs.

Once in the heart, it produces large amounts of type 1 interferon and triggers the death of cardiomyocytes, impairing cardiac output.

Importantly, the findings showed that an annual flu vaccine can prevent damage to the heart.

“We have known for years that the frequency of heart attacks increases during flu season, yet outside of clinical intuition, scant evidence exists of the underlying mechanisms of that phenomenon,” said senior author Filip Swirski, Director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Icahn.

“These findings offer great promise for the development of new therapies, which are desperately needed since there are currently no viable clinical options to prevent cardiac damage,” Swirski added.

What The Study Found

The team studied autopsies of 35 hospitalized patients who died of influenza. Of these, more than 85 percent had at least one significant cardiovascular comorbidity, such as hypertension. A majority of them also had multiple comorbidities, including atherosclerosis and cardiac fibrosis, underscoring cardiovascular disease as a major driver of influenza mortality.

The study also provided evidence that a cutting-edge modified mRNA treatment that dampens an interferon signaling pathway in the heart can significantly mitigate cardiac damage following viral infection while preserving the protective antiviral response of the immune system.

“The hopeful news for patients is that by injecting a novel mod-RNA therapeutic that modulates the IFN-1 signaling pathway, we reduced levels of cardiac damage, as evidenced by lower troponin, and improved cardiac function, as measured by higher left ventricular ejection fraction,” explained Jeffrey Downey, a member of Dr. Swirski’s laboratory who served as lead author.

Influenza A Virus And The Heart

Global statistics show that influenza A viruses cause an estimated 1 billion infections each year. This ranges from seasonal flu outbreaks locally to pandemics globally.

While most infections are mild and self-resolving, in some cases, they can become severe or even fatal. When the virus travels to the heart, it triggers the death of cardiomyocytes -- specialized muscle cells that are responsible for the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart.

Ramzan, the holiest month in Islam, marked by dawn-to-dusk fasting, poses health risks for people with diabetes. Health experts urge patients to consult their doctors before observing the fast.

Ramzan is a period of intense spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and devotion for Muslims worldwide. During the month-long fasting period, the believers refrain from eating and even drinking (including water), from dawn to sunset.

The faithful eat a modest meal (sehri) before the first light of dawn to provide energy for the day. The fast is broken at sunset, traditionally starting with dates and water, followed by a larger meal (iftar).

According to health experts, for individuals whose diabetes is well controlled, fasting may be possible with proper adjustments.

"Diabetes requires regular monitoring, balanced meals, and timely medication. When eating patterns change during Ramzan, blood glucose levels can fluctuate. That is why I strongly recommend consulting your doctor before you plan to fast,” Dr. Saptarshi Bhattacharya, Senior Consultant, Endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, told HealthandMe.

The expert advised people not to skip sehri, and to include complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, along with protein like eggs, dal, or curd, and plenty of fluids to help maintain stable glucose levels throughout the day.

At iftar, avoid overeating. Start with light, balanced food and limit fried items, sweets, and sugary drinks, as these can cause a sudden spike in blood glucose, Dr. Bhattacharya said.

Type 2 Diabetes patients with good glycemic control, lifestyle management, or stable oral medications can fast safely.

However, those on multiple insulin doses, with complications, or with poor control are considered moderate to high risk, Dr. Kartik Thakkar, Consultant Medicine, Ruby Hall Clinic, told HealthandMe.

The health expert also noted that most Type 1 diabetes patients are considered high risk, especially those with brittle diabetes, frequent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or a history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Many are medically advised not to fast, particularly if glucose control is unstable.

Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes are considered high risk and are usually advised against fasting due to the unpredictable nature of insulin requirements.

Who Should Avoid Fasting Altogether?

• People with a history of severe hypoglycemia in the last 3 months;
• Recurrent hypoglycemia;
• Advanced kidney disease;
• Elderly patients with frailty; and
• Pregnant women with diabetes

Dr. Thakkar said that such individuals fall into the very high-risk category and are medically exempt from fasting.

The expert also suggested clinical tests to determine whether a diabetic patient is fit to fast. These include:

• Glycemic control (HbA1c levels)
• Duration of diabetes (long-standing diabetes can increase complication risk)
• Presence of complications (neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease)
• Kidney function and hydration status

What Warning Signs Should Prompt Breaking The Fast Immediately?

A diabetic patient must break the fast if:

• Blood glucose <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
• Blood glucose >300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L)
• Severe dizziness or fainting
• Confusion or blurred vision
• Persistent vomiting
• Symptoms of dehydration (extreme thirst, very low urine output)
• Chest pain or breathlessness