Andy Montoya
Earrings can sometimes emit a foul odour, which is often described as smelling like cheese. This phenomenon is known as ear cheese and is caused by a build-up of sebum, dead skin cells, sweat, and bacteria. It is especially common among individuals who don't change their earrings frequently, have recently gotten a piercing, or have stretchy piercings. To get rid of the cheese smell, proper care and hygiene are essential. This includes regularly cleaning the earrings and piercings, allowing the earlobes to breathe by occasionally removing the earrings, and choosing earrings made from non-porous materials that are easy to clean.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of smell | Build-up of bacteria, dead skin cells, oils, sweat, hair products, and other substances |
| How to prevent | Regularly clean earrings and piercings, avoid wearing earrings for extended periods, use non-porous materials, avoid tight and large earring backs, avoid plated metal, clean with mild fragrance-free liquid soap and warm saline solution |
| How to get rid of the smell | Remove earrings, clean earrings and piercings, use antibacterial soap, let piercings air dry |
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What You'll Learn
Clean earrings regularly
The accumulation of bacteria, dead skin cells, oils, sweat, and other substances is the main cause of smelly earrings. Therefore, it is important to clean your earrings regularly to prevent the build-up of these substances.
If you have old piercings, clean them in the shower and let warm water run over them. You can also use antibacterial soap to clean the piercing tunnel and remove any skin cells that may be causing the odour. Make sure to clean the area around your piercing with a mild, fragrance-free liquid soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide, as these can irritate your skin over time.
If you have a fresh piercing, mix some sea salt with warm water. Then, soak a cotton ball in the solution and hold it against your piercing for about a minute to soften any hardened secretions. Slowly rotate your piercing to help dislodge any particles, then wipe them away.
To prevent bacterial buildup, clean your earrings regularly. Dr. Patel recommends cleaning them daily, while Dr. Yadav suggests doing it at least once a week. It is also important to change your earrings regularly, as leaving them in for too long can result in smelly ear cheese.
Overall, proper care and hygiene can easily solve the issue of smelly earrings.
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Wash your earlobes
The first step to getting rid of the cheese smell from your earrings is to take them out. If your piercings are fresh, skip this step as it might interfere with the healing process. Old piercings need a bit of air circulation now and then to prevent bad smells.
Next, wash your earlobes. This is a simple process but one that requires care and attention. You should wash your earlobes with a warm washcloth and mild soap. Be sure to wash behind your ears, too. You can use a moisturising cleanser, such as an oil cleanser, to gently suds up the exterior of your ear. Avoid using harsh chemicals, as this can irritate the skin over time. The Association of Professional Piercers suggests avoiding alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other strong solutions. Instead, opt for a mild, fragrance-free liquid soap.
If you have a fresh piercing, mix some sea salt with warm salt water. Then, soak a cotton ball in the solution and hold it against your piercing for about a minute to soften any hardened secretions. Depending on your earring back type, slowly rotate your piercing to help dislodge any particles, then wipe them away.
After washing, it is important to moisturise the area to prevent any dryness or irritation.
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Avoid wearing earrings for extended periods
The accumulation of ear cheese is a common problem for those with pierced ears. It is caused by a build-up of sebum, dead skin cells, sweat, bacteria, and other substances. While it is usually nothing to worry about, it can be unsightly and embarrassing, and may indicate an infection in rare cases.
To prevent the build-up of ear cheese, it is important to avoid wearing earrings for extended periods. This allows the earlobes to rest and breathe, reducing the risk of smelly ear cheese. It is recommended to take out your earrings when lounging around the house or sleeping, giving your ears a break from the constant pressure and weight of the jewellery. This is especially important for those with new piercings, as it allows the puncture to heal properly and reduces the risk of infection.
Additionally, it is crucial to maintain good hygiene and care for your ears and earrings. This includes regularly cleaning your ears and jewellery, especially if you have multiple ear piercings. Mild soap and warm water are generally recommended for cleaning, and antibacterial soap can help remove odour-causing skin cells. However, it is important not to overdo it with harsh chemicals, as this can irritate the skin. Instead, opt for fragrance-free liquid soap and a warm saline solution for a gentle yet effective clean.
Furthermore, the type of earring you wear can impact the likelihood of ear cheese build-up. Earrings with tight and large earring backs, as well as those made of plated metal, plastic, or wood, can trap moisture and provide a breeding ground for bacteria. Choosing earrings made of non-porous materials, such as surgical-grade stainless steel or pure sterling silver, can help reduce the risk of bacterial growth and subsequent odour.
In summary, avoiding wearing earrings for extended periods, practising good ear and earring hygiene, and choosing the right type of earrings can help prevent the accumulation of ear cheese and reduce the risk of embarrassing odours.
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Use antibacterial soap
Ear cheese, a funky smell that emanates from earrings, is caused by a build-up of bacteria, dead skin cells, oils, sweat, and products. This occurs due to natural bodily processes and a lack of exfoliation in the area, especially if you have a new piercing or wear your earrings for extended periods. While it is usually nothing to worry about, an infection may be indicated if there are signs of inflammation or discharge.
To get rid of the cheese smell, you can try the following steps:
Firstly, remove your earrings. If you have a fresh piercing, be cautious as removing it may interfere with the healing process. Next, clean your earrings separately. You can do this by using antibacterial soap and warm water. Gently clean the earrings, ensuring you wash away any residue. Rinse them thoroughly and dry them before putting them back in.
When cleaning your ears, use a mild, fragrance-free liquid antibacterial soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide, as these can irritate the skin over time. Instead, gently clean the area around your piercing with the antibacterial soap, and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. You can also try using a saline solution, which can help keep the area clean and support the healing process.
By incorporating antibacterial soap into your ear and earring cleaning routine, you can effectively reduce the cheese smell caused by the build-up of bacteria and other substances. Remember to clean your earrings and ears regularly and allow your ears to breathe by occasionally removing your earrings, especially when lounging or sleeping.
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Avoid harsh chemicals
The smell of cheese from earrings is a common problem, and it's usually caused by a build-up of oils, dead skin cells, sweat, and bacteria. To get rid of the smell, it's important to clean your earrings regularly without using harsh chemicals.
Firstly, it's crucial to understand the causes of the cheese smell. The most common cause is bacterial buildup, which can result from a variety of factors, including sebum accumulation, dead skin cells, and other substances that build up on the skin's surface. Additionally, the type of earrings you wear can make a difference. Earrings with tight and larger earring backs, for example, can accumulate more sweat and sebum while being more challenging to clean.
To effectively eliminate the cheese smell from your earrings without resorting to harsh chemicals, consider the following approaches:
- Regular cleaning: Clean your earrings regularly using mild fragrance-free liquid soap and warm water. This will help remove any dirt, body oils, sweat, and residue that can contribute to the cheesy odour.
- Soaking: Before cleaning your earrings, soak them in warm water. This will help loosen any built-up residue and make it easier to clean.
- Antibacterial soap: Occasionally clean your piercing tunnel and earrings with antibacterial soap to remove any skin cells and bacteria that can contribute to the odour.
- Air circulation: Remove your earrings periodically to allow the piercing area to breathe and prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells and other odour-causing substances.
- Avoid moisture: Keep your earrings dry and avoid wearing them when showering or swimming. Moisture can create a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to unpleasant smells.
- Choose the right earrings: Select earrings made for sensitive skin, such as surgical-grade stainless steel, pure sterling silver, platinum, or 18- to 24-karat yellow gold. Avoid plated metal jewellery, as it can chip or lift, providing a place for bacteria to grow.
- Rotate your earrings: Don't wear the same pair of earrings every day. Rotate between different pairs to prevent the build-up of sweat, sebum, and other residues.
- Proper fit: Ensure your earrings fit properly. A too-tight or too-loose fit can irritate the piercing and create an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.
- Quality products: Use quality earrings and body jewellery to reduce the risk of smelly ears. Look for earrings designed for stretched ears, such as ear stretching oil or jojoba oil.
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Frequently asked questions
The cheese smell is caused by a build-up of dead skin cells, oils, sweat, and bacteria. To get rid of the smell, you should take out your earrings and clean them and your ears with mild soap and warm water.
You should clean your earrings at least once a week. You should also clean your ears daily, especially if you have a new piercing.
Earrings with tight and larger earring backs accumulate more sweat and sebum and are more difficult to clean. Earrings made with plated metal can also chip, allowing bacteria to grow underneath and cause a cheesy odour.
The smell is caused by a build-up of dead skin cells, oils, sweat, and bacteria. This combination creates a substance known as "ear cheese", which is a light, sticky, greenish-brown paste.
