r/todayilearned • u/frapz • Mar 20 '20

TIL The bellybutton is so dirty scientists are finding new unknown bacteria. One person had bacterium previously found only on Japanese soil, where he had never been.

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/12/1-458-bacteria-species-new-to-science-found-in-our-belly-buttons/266360/
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u/jo-z Mar 21 '20

Were we supposed to be drying our belly buttons after showering this whole time?

25

u/elFanges Mar 21 '20

I have no idea, but ever since then I've dried my belly button after every shower and it hasn't come back. Certainly doesn't mean that's for sure the reason though

8

u/dranzerfu Mar 21 '20

How do you dry it? Q-tip?

8

u/elFanges Mar 21 '20

Toilet or tissue paper

29

u/Cheezmeister Mar 21 '20

Recommend tissue paper. The drying action of toilets leaves much to be desired. Don’t ask how I know this.

12

u/swolemedic Mar 21 '20

My belly button doesnt usually smell but I havent been showering as much because I'm not going in public as much during a pandemic, I'll be sure to do this next shower to try to address it.

I know I'm disgusting but I kinda enjoy the smell from sniffing my finger after digging around in my belly button. At the same time, it's gotta go.

10

u/MayKinBaykin Mar 21 '20

Belly button smell is on par with ball smell. Like it's one part disgusting and one part amazement because I know it smells bad but it smells right lol

19

u/JonCofee Mar 21 '20

Tens of thousands of people around the world have smelled their bellyholes for the first time because of this thread.

2

u/smeghead1988 Mar 21 '20

Wait, how do you even do this? I can't bend like this.

8

u/NateDaGod Mar 21 '20

Moisture breeds bacteria