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.

Dehydration is a serious concern for people fasting during the month-long Ramadan period, and can severely impact kidney and prostate health. Experts suggested that avoiding excess salt and caffeine can help.

While Ramadan fasting is generally safe for people with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), maintaining adequate hydration between iftar and sehri -- the two important meals each day for faithful observing the fasting -- is of significant importance.

Dehydration can lead to acute kidney injury and electrolyte imbalances for individuals with advanced CKD. As prolonged fasting hours -- more than 12 hours a day -- urine becomes concentrated, increasing the risk for kidney stones and Urinary Tract infections (UTIs).

For men with prostate problems, fasting during Ramadan can pose challenges, such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate, primarily due to dehydration.

“As a practicing urologist and kidney transplant surgeon in India, I often notice a rise in kidney stone pain and urinary infections during Ramzan. When patients fast for long hours -- especially in our warm climate -- urine becomes highly concentrated. That increases the risk of stones and UTIs. Men with prostate enlargement sometimes report worsening urinary flow because they consciously reduce fluid intake,” Dr. Pankaj Panwar, Additional Director, Urology, Fortis Escorts Okhla, New Delhi, told HealthandMe.

The doctor advised people “to hydrate strategically between Iftar and Sehri, avoid excess salt and caffeine”.

How Excess Salt And Caffeine Impact Ramadan Fasting

Consuming high-sodium foods such as processed meats, pickles, salty snacks, and fast food during iftar or sehri can increase thirst and dehydration.

High salt intake forces the body to pull water from cells to dilute the sodium, leading to severe thirst. It can also lead to bloating.

Similarly, caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks can be diuretic and cause the body to lose fluids and salts through increased urination. Particularly, drinking coffee or tea at sehri -- the pre-dawn meal -- can lead to faster dehydration during the day.

Caffeine consumption, especially late in the evening, can also interfere with sleep, making it harder to wake up for sehri.

“Ramzan is a sacred month of fasting, but prolonged abstinence from water, especially in hot climates, can increase dehydration risk. Concentrated urine puts stress on the kidneys and may worsen kidney stones or trigger urinary tract infections,” Dr. Mangesh Patil, Urologist at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, told HealthandMe.

Dehydration during Ramadan fasting can lead to symptoms like headaches, extreme thirst, fatigue, and dizziness. But in case of severe dizziness, fever, confusion, or blurred vision, the experts warned of immediate medical help.

“Do not ignore warning signs like flank pain, fever, or difficulty passing urine. A little planning can prevent an emergency hospital visit,” Panwar said.

Patil said warning signs include severe flank pain, burning urination, fever, vomiting, blood in urine, or reduced urine output. Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia may notice worsening urinary symptoms.

Tips To Prevent Complications

• Drink 2-3 liters of water between iftar and sehri
• Include water-rich fruits
• Avoid excess salt and caffeine
• Individuals with kidney disease, stones, UTIs, or prostate issues should consult their doctor before fasting.

Colon (colorectal) cancer begins when small growths called polyps form on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Over time, changes in the DNA of these cells can cause the polyps to become cancerous.

As abnormal cells multiply, they replace healthy cells and eventually form a mass known as a tumor. This process develops slowly, often taking up to ten years for a precancerous polyp to turn into cancer and begin showing symptoms.

Colon cancer poses serious health risks because cancerous cells can invade healthy tissues. Over time, they may break away and spread to other parts of the body, making detection more difficult since the symptoms can resemble other conditions.

What Is the First Sign of Colon Cancer You Shouldn’t Ignore?

Colon cancer can be difficult to detect because it often develops without obvious symptoms. However, doctors emphasize that the number one warning sign is rectal bleeding or blood in your stool.

"Colon cancer can be hard to diagnose because it can develop asymptomatically,” said Dr. John Nathanson, a gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital.

Dr. Pratima Dibba adds that this symptom should not be misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids, infection, or constipation, since early signs of colon cancer can look similar.

She urges patients to get checked promptly to rule out serious conditions.

Research from the Cleveland Clinic also shows that blood in stool can originate anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, including the colon.

Detecting colon cancer early is critical, as survival rates can be as high as 90 percent when caught in its initial stages.

What Are Other Symptoms Of Colon Cancer?

Persistent changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of stool). Other signs include:

• Abdominal (belly) pain
• Bloated stomach
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Feeling like there’s still poop in your bowel even after you go to the bathroom
• Feeling tired or weak
• Unexplained weight loss

Present Day Scenario In India

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health concern worldwide. In India, it is the fourth most common cancer among both men and women. In 2022, there were 64,863 new cases and 38,367 deaths.

Projections suggest that incidence will continue to rise by 2026, reflecting both lifestyle changes and improved detection.

Compared to developed countries, survival rates in India remain lower, largely due to late-stage diagnosis and limited access to screening programs.

The American Cancer Society notes that colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer impacts around 1.9 million people every year, noted the World Health Organization (WHO) as per its 2022 data.

Some of the risk factors include risk factors involve being over the age 50, family history, certain genetic syndromes (like Lynch syndrome), inflammatory bowel diseases, and lifestyle factors (diet high in red meat, alcohol, smoking, inactivity).

The most effective way to prevent colorectal cancer is through annual colonoscopies, screening and stool tests.

Ever wondered how your body generates antibodies in the face of a virus attack? A new study by French researchers showed that our age, biological sex, and human genetic factors can determine our immunity levels.

The human body, when exposed to a virus, defends itself by producing molecules called antibodies. Their main function is to identify pathogens and kill them.

Scientists from the Institut Pasteur, the CNRS, and the Collège de France noted that these factors not only boost the quantity of antibodies produced in the body but also determine the specific viral regions to target.

The February 2026 study, published in the journal Nature Immunology, can pave the way for the development of personalized treatments, especially for individuals who are most vulnerable to infection.

"This study provides a detailed, integrated view of how age, sex, and human genetics shape the antibody response," said Lluis Quintana-Murci, Head of the Human Evolutionary Genetics laboratory at the Institut Pasteur.

"It shows that these factors even determine which specific regions of a given virus are targeted by antibodies, with important implications for vaccine and therapeutic design," Quintana-Murci added.

How Age And Sex Influence Immunity

The findings revealed that individuals produce antibodies that target different parts of the virus when attacked by the same virus. Age was identified as the dominant factor influencing antibody production. The team noted that more than half of the antibody repertoire varies depending on age.

Further, some antibodies were found to increase with age, while others decreased. This was seen particularly in the case of influenza H1N1 and H3N2 viruses.

In young adults, the antibodies mainly targeted a part of the viral surface protein known as hemagglutinin (HA), which evolves rapidly. In older individuals, it focused on a more stable region of the same protein known as the stalk domain.

Women were also found to produce more antibodies against HA. On the other hand, men tended to target other viral proteins (NP and M1), despite comparable vaccination rates between the two sexes.

How Human Genetics Shape Antibody Production

The team identified mutations in genomic regions known to encode the immunoglobulin repertoire. These variants determine which genes are used to produce antibodies.

Using an African cohort, the study revealed population disparities in terms of the molecular targets of their antibody repertoires.

In the case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), antibodies were found to recognize different viral proteins depending on the geographical and epidemiological context.

This difference can be explained by the level of exposure -- Africans are more exposed to a particular strain of EBV in which the protein EBNA-4 is the primary antibody target.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The research is based on data from the Milieu Intérieur cohort, launched 15 years ago to study variations in the immune response in 1,000 healthy individuals.

Using an innovative sequencing technology, the scientists analyzed blood plasma samples to measure antibody responses against more than 90,000 fragments of viral proteins, covering a large number of viruses responsible for infections such as influenza, respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, and herpesvirus infections.