"Is That Shower Deadly?" 80% Are Engaging in This Dangerous Habit! The Fear of Infections Caused by "Neglecting the Belly Button"

1. What did the Daily Mail article criticize?

On June 15, the UK Daily Mail published an article titled "You’re showering wrong! Doctor reveals common washing error that could be life-threatening." According to comments from a U.S. emergency physician interviewed in the article, there are more cases of skin infections originating from the navel than expected, and in the worst cases, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and lead to systemic sepsis.

2. The navel is a "jungle of resident bacteria"

The inside of the navel is dark, moist, and poorly ventilated, making it easy for sebum and soap residue to remain. A 2012 study detected an average of 67 types of bacteria, many of which are anaerobic and highly infectious. Dermatologists point out that the "innie" type is particularly at risk. If left untreated, it can lead to a progression from fungal growth like Malassezia → redness and itching → purulent discharge → cellulitis.healthline.com

3. Temperature, time, order—Re-examining Japanese "shower culture"

According to a survey by LADbible, the order "hair → body → conditioner" is said to reduce skin problems the most, but 80% of respondents were not following it.ladbible.com
In Japan, many people take quick showers at high temperatures in the morning, but high temperatures can dissolve sebum and push it deeper into the navel, which is actually counterproductive. A recommended shower routine is a water temperature of 38-40°C, and the order of hair → face → body → navel, allowing "debris to flow downward."

4. Social media uproar and spread

• X (formerly Twitter)

  • "A friend who hasn't cleaned their navel in 10 years was hospitalized, and I was shocked after reading the article" (62,000 likes)

  • "#CleanYourNavel" temporarily became the second most popular trend in Japan.

• TikTok

  • Doctor @dr__mim posted a video of "a quick circle with a cotton swab," which garnered 2.6 million views. Glamour magazine also covered it.glamour.com

• Instagram

  • Reels with before/after photos spread widely. There were many reports of "black stones (omphaloliths) being removed."

The background to the uproar includes a sense of shame associated with "neglecting overlooked areas = being judged as lazy," which made it easy for the topic to go viral.

5. Doctors and Experts' Opinions

6. Proper Navel Care in 5 Steps

1. Pre-wash: Rinse the whole body with lukewarm water to prevent soap scum buildup.

2. Cotton Swab Cleaning: Use a gentle soap, and softly circle the inside of the navel in a "C" shape.

3. Rinse: Avoid direct shower spray; pour a small amount of water with your hand.

4. Dry: Absorb moisture with a cotton swab or tissue, and finish with a hairdryer on low.

5. Protection: Do not apply oil or cream; ensure breathability.

7. Q&A Common Questions

• Q. Should you clean an outie navel?
  A. The surface forms a sebum layer, so light rubbing is sufficient. However, if pierced, perform saline care daily.

• Q. What about using rubbing alcohol?
  A. It may disrupt the balance of resident bacteria, so soap is sufficient unless there's an infection.

• Q. How should you care for a child's navel?
  A. The skin is thin and tends to dry out easily, so use baby soap and a gauze to gently clean.

8. Cultural Perspective - Japanese People and the "Navel"

In Japan, the navel has traditionally been considered the "center of life," as seen in the "Heso Festival" in Furano, Hokkaido, and folktales where the thunder god eats navels. However, modern people prioritize the appearance of cleanliness, leading to a paradox where actual cleaning is neglected.

9. Conclusion

The navel is a unique part of the body surface that combines both a "hole" and a "valley," and neglecting it can be life-threatening—this is the warning from the doctor in this article. While social media uproars are temporary, infections are irreversible. Start a new bathing routine from today: "Hair → Face → Body → Navel."

※This article is reconstructed based on reports from the Daily Mail, referencing insights from LADbible, Healthline, Cleveland Clinic, Glamour, and various experts.

References

• Healthline "Dirty Belly Button: Why and How to Clean Your Navel"healthline.com

• LADbible "Experts say ‘80%’ of people are showering wrong…"ladbible.com

• Cleveland Clinic "How to Clean Your Belly Button"health.clevelandclinic.org

• New York Post "I’m a doctor — these 3 body parts…"nypost.com

• Glamour "How to Clean Your Belly Button…"glamour.com

• Self "5 Belly Button Infections You Can Get"self.com

• Teen Vogue "Here’s Exactly How to Clean Your Belly Button"teenvogue.com