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Earwax, boogers, toenail fungus — the body can be pretty gross sometimes. Don’t forget to add “belly-button gunk” to that list. And when you see something in there, you probably want to get it out.

Your belly button might seem like nothing more than a remnant from your time in the womb, but this small area can actually provide valuable clues about your digestive health and overall wellbeing.

Belly button infections can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition, if untreated. Symptoms of an infection include redness, tenderness, pain, swelling, and possible discharge. Newborns with ...