Know your belly button
Whether yours is an "innie" or an "outie," we all have belly buttons. Most of us anyway. They connect us as humans. But no two navels are the same.
A near-universal lint trap
It's not strictly true to say we all have a belly "button" — an outward looking bump. And some people appear to have nothing at all, often after surgery for a hernia. But we all have a "navel," a spot that marks where our umbilical cords were attached when we were in our mother's womb. The cord gets cut when we're born, leaving a bit of it to heal, dry and close, and we get a belly button.
So, are you an innie or an outtie?
Most of us have innies, little black holes that suck in lint. They are good habitats for microorganisms, including bacteria. About 4-10% of us have outies. Infections can cause tissue to grow on the wound of your umbilical cord, creating an outie. A similar thing happens with an umbilical hernia. But it's no defect. It's all good if treated. Pregnancy can also turn an innie into an outie.
Run or swim? Depends on your navel
This feels so odd, but it's apparently true: A well-place belly button can make you a better athlete. Your navel is your center of gravity, so that affects your sense of balance. Researchers say the exact location of your belly button can even determine your best sport. Your potential to be a good runner is greater if your navel is high, and, if it's lower, you may be a better swimmer.
Some people fear belly buttons
As with many irrational fears and anxieties, it is hard to say exactly why some people are scared of belly buttons, but some people are and their condition is called omphalophobia. It can cause extreme panic attacks, muscle tension, shakes and sweats. It may be linked to generalized anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder. And it can be a fear of other people's navels as well as their own.
Care for your belly button
It's important to care for your belly button, especially if it starts to smell. Some adults get a hardened black navel stone when skin oil, dead cells or hair get caught in there. But they are pretty rare. It's also very important to gently wash your baby's navel, especially when it's healing. Just use a little soapy water and try not to dig around in there — you'll only push more dirty back in!