Andy Montoya
It's not uncommon to notice that your earlobes smell like cheese, and the cause is often linked to poor hygiene. The area behind the ears is easily neglected during showers or baths since it's not an obvious spot that accumulates sweat or dirt. However, sweat glands and sebaceous glands are present in this region, and when perspiration comes into contact with bacteria and oxygen, it can lead to a cheesy odour. Additionally, substances like dead skin cells, oils, and earwax can build up, further contributing to the unpleasant smell. Regular cleaning of the ears and earrings, especially for those with piercings, is essential to prevent the accumulation of bacteria and resulting odours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of the smell | Excessive secretions, poor hygiene, infection, or a combination of these factors |
| Location of the smell | Behind the ears, earlobes, earrings |
| Contributing factors | Sweat, bacteria, yeast, fungi, skin irritation, earwax, hair products, skin products, age, earrings made with plated metal |
| Prevention and treatment | Regular cleaning of the ears and earrings, washing behind the ears during baths or showers, using antibacterial hand soap or isopropyl alcohol, changing earrings at least once a week, avoiding hair and skin products near the ears, maintaining good hygiene with ear piercings, using antifungal treatments |
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Poor hygiene
Inadequate cleaning of ear piercings can also lead to "ear cheese". An ear piercing is essentially an open wound until it fully heals, providing an easy entry point for bacteria. Even after healing, piercings can still become infected, especially if they are not kept clean. The dark, damp environment created by the piercing hole encourages bacterial growth, resulting in a cheesy odour.
To maintain proper hygiene and prevent "ear cheese", it is important to regularly wash the area behind the ears and keep long hair away from the ears. For those with piercings, it is crucial to clean the earrings and the skin around the piercing regularly, including removing the earrings to clean them thoroughly. Additionally, items that come into regular contact with the ears, such as pillowcases, headphones, and cell phones, should be kept clean to avoid the buildup of sweat and bacteria.
Practicing good hygiene is usually sufficient to eliminate the cheesy smell. However, if the odour persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, pain, or discharge, it is recommended to consult a doctor, as it may indicate an infection requiring medical treatment.
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Yeast infections
The cheesy smell behind the ears is often caused by yeast infections. Yeast, a type of fungus, thrives in warm and moist environments, making the area behind the ears an ideal spot for its growth. This is especially true for individuals who sweat profusely or do not adequately clean this area.
To prevent and manage yeast infections behind the ears, maintaining good hygiene is crucial. This includes regularly washing the area with soap and water, especially after physical activities or in hot and humid weather. It is also important to clean earrings and other objects that come into contact with the ears, such as headphones and pillowcases.
Additionally, certain medical conditions can contribute to the cheesy odour. Seborrheic dermatitis, a type of eczema, can cause flaky and scaly skin behind the ears. While this condition is not inherently malodorous, the flakes it produces can trap sweat and odours, leading to a cheesy smell. In such cases, antifungal treatments and shampoos are recommended to alleviate the symptoms.
Furthermore, ear piercings can be a significant source of the cheesy odour. The dark and moist environment created by the piercing provides an ideal environment for bacterial growth. Proper aftercare and regular cleaning of the piercing site and earrings are essential to prevent infection and odour. This includes removing the earrings and cleaning the skin and jewellery with isopropyl alcohol or antibacterial soap.
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Seborrheic dermatitis
While a cheesy smell emanating from the earlobes is usually nothing to worry about, it can be quite embarrassing and unpleasant. The most common cause of this odour is a build-up of bacteria, yeast, or fungi, which thrive in the warm and moist environment behind the ears. This can be especially true for those with piercings, as bacteria can enter and infect the wound, even after it has healed. Additionally, substances such as skin and hair products, as well as natural secretions like sweat and sebum, can accumulate in this area and contribute to the smell.
To address this issue, it is crucial to maintain good hygiene practices. This includes regularly washing the area behind the ears with warm water and soap, ensuring that you dry the area thoroughly after washing. It is also important to clean your earrings and earphones or headphones, as these can absorb sweat and contribute to the odour. If you have piercings, be sure to remove your earrings and clean the skin around the piercing, using products such as isopropyl alcohol or antibacterial soap. Additionally, change your earrings at least once a week and opt for earrings made from materials suitable for sensitive skin, such as surgical-grade stainless steel or pure sterling silver.
For individuals with seborrheic dermatitis, a type of eczema that affects the scalp and can extend to the back of the ears, the condition can result in flaky, scaly skin. While this condition does not typically cause a bad smell, the oily flakes it produces can trap sweat and odours, exacerbating any unpleasant scents. Antifungal treatments are usually effective in clearing the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis. Shampoos containing zinc pyrithione are recommended for reducing eczema flare-ups and treating seborrheic dermatitis. These shampoos can be used on the scalp and behind the ears to help manage the condition.
In some cases, the cheesy smell behind the ears could be indicative of a yeast infection. Yeast, which thrives in warm and moist environments, can cause an infection that produces a beer- or bread-like smell. This type of infection typically responds well to over-the-counter antifungal treatments. However, if the infection is severe or persistent, it is advisable to consult a doctor for prescription medication.
While less common, the odour could be a result of an injury, such as a cut or pimple, that has become infected. In such cases, it is important to clean the affected area with soap and water and apply a triple antibiotic ointment. If symptoms persist for more than a couple of days, or if there are signs of infection such as swelling, discharge, or fever, it is crucial to seek medical attention.
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Infected piercings
Ear piercings can get infected, which may cause an unpleasant smell. An ear piercing is an open wound until it fully heals, which makes it easy for bacteria to enter and cause an infection. Even after the wound has healed, bacteria can still infect the piercing, especially if it is not kept clean.
To prevent and stop the smell, it is important to clean your earrings and ears regularly. This includes taking off the earrings and cleaning them and your ears with soap and water. You should also clean the backs of your earrings with isopropyl alcohol or an antibacterial hand soap if they are more fragile. In addition, you should change your earrings at least once a week.
If you have recently had your ears pierced, it is likely that your body is still healing, which may cause the smell. Lobes take about six to eight weeks to heal, while cartilage piercings can take anywhere from four months up to a year.
If the smell persists despite your best efforts at cleansing and disinfection, you may need to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause and whether you need antibacterial, antifungal, or anti-inflammatory treatments.
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Old age
While the phenomenon of "old person smell" is widely recognized across many different cultures, the biological truth of it remains uncertain. However, research has shown that human body odor does undergo distinct changes as we age, largely due to the activity of various skin glands and how the substances they release interact with bacteria.
The sebaceous glands, which secrete a waxy substance called sebum to lubricate and waterproof the skin, are particularly active during puberty and throughout most of adulthood. With old age, the collagen in our skin starts to break down, and our once bouncy earlobes may begin to change into wrinkled and droopy little things. As we age, the body's chemical composition changes, and this is reflected in our body odor.
One study suggested that old person smell may be the result of 2-nonenal, an unsaturated aldehyde associated with human body odor alterations during aging. Another study, however, failed to detect 2-nonenal but found increased concentrations of benzothiazole, dimethylsulphone, and nonanal in older subjects. It is important to note that while the smell of older individuals is often mistakenly attributed to poor hygiene, it is actually an inescapable component of body odor that only manifests in older individuals.
Additionally, the tasks of maintaining good personal hygiene and household cleaning habits can become increasingly difficult for older individuals. In-home care can be beneficial for older adults who struggle with bathing, dressing, and cleaning regularly and effectively. While the scent of elderly individuals is often described as musty, grassy, or greasy, it is not necessarily unpleasant. In fact, one study found that volunteers rated the body odors of elderly individuals as less intense and less unpleasant than those of young and middle-aged individuals.
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Frequently asked questions
The accumulation of rancid oil, dead skin cells, bacteria, and sweat can cause a cheesy smell around your earlobes. This is often referred to as "ear cheese".
There are several factors that can contribute to this accumulation, including:
- Poor hygiene: Not cleaning the area behind your ears regularly can lead to a build-up of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.
- Skin conditions: Certain skin conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis, can cause flaky, scaly skin that traps sweat and odour, making the area more prone to infection.
- Piercings: Ear piercings provide a protected, dark, and damp environment for bacteria to build up, leading to a cheesy odour.
To prevent the cheesy smell, maintain good hygiene by regularly cleaning your earlobes and the area behind your ears. Wash the area with warm water and soap, ensuring you dry it thoroughly afterward. If you have piercings, remove your earrings regularly, clean them, and consider using antibacterial soap or isopropyl alcohol to disinfect them.
If the cheesy smell persists despite your efforts to maintain hygiene, it is recommended to consult a doctor. They can help determine the underlying cause and suggest appropriate treatments, such as antibacterial, antifungal, or anti-inflammatory creams.
