The black mud in the navel arouses the curiosity of many people, especially children, who often use their hands to pick at the navel. So what is the black mud in the navel?
In fact, the navel hides many mysteries about the origin of life, and before we are born, the umbilical vein and umbilical artery of the umbilical cord are the channels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. When the fetus is born, the umbilical cord is cut and closed, forming the infragastric ligament, so the navel is essentially a scar left by the separation of the umbilical cord.
From a medical point of view, this is a normal physiological phenomenon. The black mud in the belly button can be cleaned. This black mud is made up of impurities from exfoliated cells in the skin, navel secretions, sweat, and dust.
Although black mud itself is not harmful, we should be cautious about it, because the navel is a relatively sensitive and fragile part with no muscle protection underneath. Once inflamed, bacteria and viruses may invade, causing long-term infections.
Since the skin of the navel is directly connected to the abdominal cavity, it is not possible to clean the navel directly with your hands, which can lead to skin breakdown, which in turn can cause discomfort such as navel infection, pus discharge, redness, swelling and pain, itching and odor.
Since the belly button is so delicate, how should we clean it?
If there is not much dirt in the belly button, there is no need for special treatment, just keep your hands clean, clean them gently, and wait for them to fall off naturally.
If there is a lot of dirt in the belly button, the method is actually very simple, which is to regularly dip a cotton swab in iodine or hydrogen peroxide and gently wipe it from the inside out. In the cleaning process, you should pay attention to the gentle action, do not overuse the cleaning, and be sure to use a sterile cotton swab.
In addition to daily cleaning, take a shower three to four times a month, and you won't have too many stains accumulating. After cleaning, remember to keep your belly button dry and warm to minimize the risk of infection, so as not to become a breeding ground for bacteria and bury hidden dangers in the body.
Since the navel is a warm-loving place, unlike the rest of the abdomen, there is a lack of muscle and fatty tissue underneath, but it is rich in blood vessels. As a result, this area is relatively fragile and prone to colds and wind chills. So, even on a hot summer day, pay attention to keeping your belly button warm.
In short, although the black mud in the navel may seem insignificant, we need to take care of it. With proper cleaning methods and good living habits, we can effectively reduce the production of black mud and prevent the occurrence of related infections. At the same time, we should also pay attention to the health of the belly button, detect and deal with abnormalities in time. Only then can we maintain a healthy belly button.