Randy Chandler
A cheesy smell behind the ears can be unpleasant and embarrassing. It is usually caused by excessive secretions, poor hygiene, or infections. The area behind the ears is often neglected during showering, and sweat glands in this area can produce a pungent smell when they come into contact with bacteria and oxygen. Yeast and fungal infections, which thrive in warm and moist environments, can also cause a cheese-like odour. Poorly maintained ear piercings can also be a source of infection, trapping pus, dead skin, and other discharge, resulting in a lingering bad smell.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Excessive secretions, poor hygiene, seborrheic dermatitis, infections, yeast infections, skin irritation, earwax, hair and skin products, cholesteatoma, ear cancer, sinus infections, eczema, smoking |
| Treatment | Wash the area with warm water and mild soap, dry thoroughly, apply diluted apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil, use antifungal treatments, shampoo with zinc pyrithione, protect with petroleum jelly, use essential oils, ear drops, ear piercing solution, baby oil, hydrogen peroxide, glycerin, mineral oil |
| Prevention | Maintain good hygiene, avoid using hair and skin products close to the ears |
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Poor hygiene
Maintaining good hygiene is crucial to preventing and addressing this issue. It is important to remember to wash behind the ears thoroughly during showering, as this area can be easily neglected. Using warm water and a mild soap can help eliminate any unpleasant smells. Additionally, ensuring that the area is dried thoroughly after washing can prevent the growth of bacteria and yeast, which thrive in warm and moist environments.
Long hair can also contribute to the issue by trapping oil and other residues, making it more challenging to keep the area clean. In such cases, it is advisable to consider tying hair back or keeping it off the face and neck to reduce the transfer of oils and products to the skin behind the ears.
Skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, a type of eczema, can also be a factor in poor hygiene. This condition causes scaly, oily flakes that can trap sweat and odour, making it challenging to maintain proper hygiene. Antifungal treatments and shampoos containing zinc pyrithione can help manage seborrheic dermatitis.
Furthermore, certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking, can worsen the problem. Quitting smoking or reducing exposure to smoke can be beneficial in maintaining good hygiene and reducing the risk of associated health issues.
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Yeast infections
To prevent yeast infections, it is important to maintain good hygiene by regularly washing behind the ears with warm water and mild soap, especially after engaging in vigorous physical activity. Ensuring the area is clean and dry can help inhibit the growth of yeast. Additionally, avoiding the use of hair and skin products close to the ears can reduce the risk of yeast infections, as these products can trap residue and create favourable conditions for yeast growth.
If you suspect a yeast infection, there are several treatment options available. Over-the-counter antifungal remedies, such as shampoos containing zinc pyrithione, are often effective in treating yeast infections. For more severe cases, or if home remedies are unsuccessful, consulting a doctor is recommended. Doctors can prescribe pills or creams to clear the infection.
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Skin conditions
The skin behind the ears is often neglected during showering, as it is not an obvious area to clean. This can lead to a buildup of substances, such as sweat, skin and hair care products, and natural secretions, resulting in an unpleasant odour. In most cases, the cheesy smell behind the ears is due to excessive secretions, poor hygiene, or infections.
Several skin conditions can cause or contribute to the cheesy smell behind the ears. These include:
- Seborrheic dermatitis: This is a type of eczema that affects the scalp and can also occur behind the ears. It causes flaky, scaly skin that can trap sweat, oils, and odours, leading to a cheesy smell. Antifungal treatments, such as shampoos containing zinc pyrithione, can help reduce seborrheic dermatitis.
- Yeast infections: Yeast tends to grow in warm and moist areas. People who sweat a lot or do not clean behind their ears regularly may develop a yeast infection. Yeast infections cause itching and produce a bread-like or beer-like smell. Most yeast infections respond well to over-the-counter antifungal treatments, but severe cases may require prescription medication.
- Infections: Bacterial, fungal, or yeast infections can occur behind the ears due to the warm and moist conditions. These infections can cause a cheesy smell and may be accompanied by symptoms such as itching, pain, or discharge. Proper hygiene and treatment with antifungal or antibacterial medications can help resolve the infection and eliminate the odour.
- Skin irritation: Moisture retained in the ear after swimming can lead to an infection called "swimmer's ear," which can cause itching, redness, and foul-smelling discharge.
- Cholesteatoma: This is a noncancerous skin growth behind the eardrum often associated with repeated ear infections. It can produce smelly earwax and symptoms such as pressure, earaches, and balance issues.
- Eczema: Poor hygiene, infections, and medical conditions such as sinus infections or eczema can contribute to smelly earwax.
In summary, maintaining good hygiene by regularly cleaning behind the ears with warm water and mild soap can help prevent the buildup of substances and reduce the risk of infections, improving the cheesy smell. Additionally, addressing any underlying skin conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis or yeast infections, with appropriate treatments can also help eliminate the odour.
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Hair and skin products
The area behind the ears can be a hotspot for sweat, oil, and residue from hair and skin products, which can result in a cheesy smell. This is because the back of the ear provides a warm and moist environment, which bacteria, yeast, and fungi thrive in.
If you use multiple hair and skin products, it is recommended to stop using them one at a time to identify if any of them are contributing to the smell. This is because certain products may react with your skin, causing an odd smell.
To prevent the buildup of hair and skin products, you can keep the area dry and clean. This includes washing the area with soap and water, and scrubbing it with a damp cloth or fragrance-free wipe after sweating. You can also use essential oils diluted in a carrier oil to help soothe the skin and provide a pleasant smell.
If the smell persists, it may be a sign of an infection or skin condition, in which case you should consult a doctor for advice on medicated creams or shampoos.
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Ear piercings
An ear piercing is essentially an open wound until it fully heals, making it easy for bacteria to enter and cause an infection. This can be further exacerbated by the presence of jewellery, which provides a surface for bacteria to collect. In addition to bacteria, yeast and fungi can also grow behind the ears, especially in warm and moist environments, leading to infections. These infections can result in a cheesy odour, similar to that of sweat or body odour.
To prevent and treat infections in ear piercings, it is crucial to maintain good hygiene. This includes regularly cleaning the piercing with mild, fragrance-free liquid soap and warm water. For those with healed piercings, cleaning the piercing tunnel with antibacterial soap can help remove any odour-causing skin cells that may have collected on the jewellery. Additionally, it is recommended to soak the piercing once a day in a warm saline solution.
It is important to be mindful of the jewellery itself as well. Ensure that your earrings are made of stainless steel or are hypoallergenic to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction or sensitivity. It is also crucial to ensure that your earrings fit properly and are not too tight or loose, as this can cause irritation.
In some cases, the odour may be due to cholesteatoma, a noncancerous skin growth behind the eardrum often associated with repeated ear infections. This condition can produce smelly earwax and other symptoms such as pressure, earaches, and balance issues. If you suspect cholesteatoma or any other infection, it is important to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why the area behind your ear may smell like cheese. Firstly, it could be due to poor hygiene as people may not think to wash this area regularly. Secondly, yeast infections can cause a cheese-like smell, and yeast tends to grow in warm and moist areas, which can be found behind the ears. Thirdly, earwax can sometimes have a strong or sour fragrance, which may be an indicator of increased perspiration. Finally, seborrheic dermatitis, a type of eczema, can cause a cheese-like smell as it produces scaly, oily flakes that trap sweat and odour.
To get rid of the cheese-like smell, start by washing the area with warm water and mild soap, then dry thoroughly. You can also apply diluted apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil with a cotton ball to fight odour-causing bacteria. Maintaining regular hygiene is essential to prevent the recurrence of the smell.
Other causes of a bad smell behind the ears include skin conditions such as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and infections like otitis externa. Additionally, ear piercings can become infected, leading to a bad smell. Poor lifestyle habits like smoking can also contribute to or worsen the smell.
While a bad smell behind the ears is usually not a sign of a serious problem, it is important to identify the root cause and seek medical attention if necessary. If the smell persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, pain, redness, or discharge, consult a doctor or pharmacist for advice. They may recommend ear drops or prescribe medication to address the underlying cause.
