Bushra Griffith
It can be quite embarrassing when your ears start to smell like cheese after wearing earrings. This phenomenon is known as ear cheese and is caused by a build-up of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. It is common among people who don't change their earrings often, have sweaty ears, or live in hot and humid environments. To prevent ear cheese, it is important to practice good hygiene and clean your earrings and ear holes regularly. Additionally, giving your earlobes a break from wearing jewellery and choosing earrings made of non-porous materials can also help reduce the smell.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason | Accumulation of sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria, and other substances |
| Common among | People who don't change their earrings much, have oily skin, or sweat a lot |
| Type of earrings | Earrings with tight and larger earring backs, large plastic backs, or made of plated metal |
| Solution | Regularly clean earrings and ears, use quality earrings, and give earlobes a break from wearing jewelry |
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What You'll Learn
Poor earring and piercing aftercare
Firstly, it is recommended that you keep your piercing jewellery in for at least six weeks, or until the piercing is fully healed. This can take anywhere from 2-3 months for a lobe piercing, to 6-12+ months for upper or inner ear piercings. Removing the jewellery too early may cause the piercing to close.
It is also important to keep the piercing clean. Always wash your hands before touching the area, and gently wash the piercing with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and water at least once a day. Rinse the piercing thoroughly after washing to ensure that all soap residue is removed. Avoid getting water directly in your ear, and do not use hydrogen peroxide or antibacterial soaps, as these can damage the healing skin.
You should also avoid touching or rotating the piercing, as this can introduce bacteria and dirt to the area, which can lead to infection. If you are going to touch the piercing, be sure to wash your hands first. You can also apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly around each piercing opening to keep the area moist, as moist wounds heal faster.
If the skin around your piercing becomes red, sore, or puffy, or if a hole oozes yellowish liquid, you may have an infection. If these symptoms do not go away quickly, it is recommended that you see a doctor or dermatologist.
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Bacteria buildup
The phenomenon of "ear cheese" is caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria buildup, sebum accumulation, dead skin cells, and sweat. While it may be embarrassing to discuss, it's a common issue for many people with pierced ears.
The type of earrings worn can also impact bacteria buildup. Earrings made with plated metal can chip or lift, providing an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Additionally, earrings with tight and larger earring backs or large plastic backs can trap moisture and sweat, creating breeding grounds for bacteria. Choosing earrings with hinge backs can make them easier to remove and clean. It is also beneficial to opt for earrings made from non-porous materials, such as surgical-grade stainless steel, pure sterling silver, platinum, or 18- to 24-karat yellow gold.
Furthermore, personal factors such as oily skin, frequent sweating, and working or living in hot and humid environments can increase the likelihood of bacteria buildup and the resulting odor. Individuals who never remove their earrings or have stretched piercings may also experience more noticeable buildup and odor.
To summarize, bacteria buildup in ear piercings, often combined with other factors, is the primary cause of the cheesy smell. Maintaining good hygiene practices, choosing appropriate jewelry, and being mindful of personal factors can help prevent and address this common issue.
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Skin irritation
Bacteria buildup is a common issue, as piercings provide a protected, dark, and damp environment for bacteria to thrive. This buildup can lead to infections and is often the cause of the characteristic "ear cheese" odor. Proper hygiene and regular cleaning of both the piercing site and jewelry are crucial to prevent this. It is recommended to clean the piercing two to three times daily with a sterile saline solution and to clean the earrings at least once a week.
Allergic reactions to certain metals, such as nickel, can also cause skin irritation. Individuals with sensitive skin should opt for hypoallergenic materials like surgical-grade stainless steel, pure sterling silver, platinum, or 18- to 24-karat yellow gold. Additionally, plated metal jewelry should be avoided as it can chip or lift, providing an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.
Improper aftercare practices, such as leaving earrings in for extended periods without cleaning or removing them, can further irritate the skin. It is recommended to change earrings at least once a week and allow the piercing site to rest and heal. Rubbing and touching the earrings excessively can also introduce bacteria and dirt, increasing the risk of infection. Moisturizing the area after cleaning can help prevent dryness and irritation.
Overall, maintaining proper hygiene, regularly cleaning both the piercing site and jewelry, choosing appropriate jewelry materials, and allowing for healing time can help reduce skin irritation and prevent infections.
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Oily skin
The cheesy smell that can develop around piercings is usually caused by a build-up of bacteria, dead skin cells, oils, sweat, and products. This mixture, sometimes called 'ear cheese', occurs naturally but can be prevented by practising good aftercare.
If you have oily skin, you may be more prone to experiencing a foul smell around your piercings. This is because the piercing hole provides protected, dark, and damp conditions, which allow bacteria to build up. The accumulation of sebum, or skin oil, with bacteria, is the perfect recipe for an unpleasant odour.
To prevent this, it is important to clean your piercings and jewellery regularly. You can use products like isopropyl alcohol or antibacterial hand soap to clean your earrings. For piercings, a mixture of sea salt and warm water can be used. Alternatively, you can use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol to clean your jewellery and kill any odour-causing bacteria.
It is also important to give your earlobes a break from wearing jewellery, as this can help to reduce the smell. When wearing earrings, opt for jewellery made of non-porous materials, and avoid wood or poorly-sterilised jewellery, as these may attract bacteria and cause infection.
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Allergic reaction
The cheesy smell from earrings is usually caused by a buildup of sebum, dead skin cells, sweat, and bacteria. However, in some cases, it may be a sign of an allergic reaction or inflammation.
If you are experiencing an allergic reaction to your earrings, it is important to take them out and clean your ears and the earrings thoroughly. Allow your earlobes to rest and heal, and avoid wearing earrings for a while. Give your ears a break from jewelry to reduce the smell and prevent further irritation.
To prevent and reduce the risk of allergic reactions and unpleasant odors, practice good aftercare and hygiene. Clean your earrings regularly, especially the backs, as these accumulate more sweat and sebum and are harder to clean. Use isopropyl alcohol or antibacterial hand soap for cleaning, depending on the jewelry's delicacy. Also, ensure you clean your ears and piercings regularly, at least once a week, using warm saltwater, regular soap, or a sterile saline solution.
Additionally, choose the right materials for your earrings. Avoid nickel-based materials, as nickel can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Instead, opt for earrings made for sensitive ears, such as those made from surgical-grade stainless steel, pure sterling silver, platinum, or 18- to 24-karat yellow gold.
If you experience severe or persistent symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as itching, redness, swelling, or pain, remove your earrings and seek medical advice from a healthcare professional or a dermatologist. They can help diagnose and treat any allergic reactions or infections.
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Frequently asked questions
"Ear cheese" is caused by a build-up of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This build-up occurs more frequently when earrings are not removed regularly and the area is not properly cleaned.
To prevent "ear cheese", it is important to clean your earrings and ears regularly. You should also try to avoid wearing earrings made of materials that attract bacteria, such as wood or poorly sterilized jewelry.
Earrings made of surgical-grade stainless steel, pure sterling silver, platinum, or 18- to 24-karat yellow gold are less likely to cause an allergic reaction and are better suited for sensitive ears.
