Frederic Melton
Are your earlobes giving off a cheesy odour? Don't worry, you're not alone. Ear cheese is a common phenomenon that can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor hygiene, earwax, skin conditions, and piercings. The warm, moist environment of the ear is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, yeast, and fungi, resulting in an unpleasant cheesy smell. Additionally, the accumulation of dead skin cells, sebum, and sweat can contribute to the odour. Regular cleaning of the ears and earrings, especially for those with piercings, is essential for preventing and eliminating the cheesy scent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Excessive secretions, poor hygiene, infection, or a combination of the three |
| Specific causes | Sweat, earwax, yeast infections, skin conditions, foreign objects, swimmer's ear, cholesteatoma, ear cancer, sinus infections, smoking, earrings, and more |
| Prevention/Treatment | Cleaning the area with warm water and mild soap, then drying thoroughly, using diluted apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil, improving hygiene, using antibacterial/antifungal/anti-inflammatory creams, removing earrings regularly, and keeping the area dry |
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Poor hygiene
Inadequate hygiene practices, such as not regularly washing the area behind the ears, can lead to a build-up of these substances. This is especially true for individuals with oily skin or those who live or work in hot, humid environments, as they tend to sweat more, providing a favourable environment for bacterial growth.
Additionally, poor aftercare of ear piercings can introduce bacteria and cause infections. This includes not cleaning the piercing regularly, touching the piercing with dirty hands, and wearing unclean or unsanitary jewellery. Materials like wood or poorly sterilized jewellery can also attract bacteria and increase the risk of infection.
To maintain proper hygiene and prevent unpleasant odours, it is important to wash behind the ears during every bath or shower, using mild soap and warm water. For individuals with sensitive skin or eczema, using sensitive skin soap is recommended. Exfoliating the area once or twice a week can help prevent the build-up of dead skin cells.
For those with ear piercings, it is crucial to clean the earrings and earlobes regularly. This includes removing the earrings and cleaning them with isopropyl alcohol or antibacterial soap after each wash. Changing earrings at least once a week and opting for jewellery made of non-porous materials can also help reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
Overall, improving hygiene practices and maintaining a consistent cleaning routine for the ears and earlobes can effectively address the issue of poor hygiene and its associated cheesy odour.
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Infections
Ear infections can be caused by various factors, including poor hygiene, skin conditions, and piercings. Neglecting to clean the area behind the ears thoroughly can create an ideal environment for bacteria and fungi to grow. Skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and frequent sensitivity rashes can cause dry and irritated skin, providing a favourable condition for infections.
Piercings, especially new ones, can also increase the risk of infection. The presence of foreign objects, such as earrings, can trap bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells, leading to a build-up of "ear cheese". This accumulation can result in a cheesy odour, especially if the earrings are not regularly cleaned or removed for cleaning. Additionally, certain types of earrings, such as those with tight and larger earring backs or made of plated metal, can trap more sweat and sebum, making them more challenging to clean.
To combat infections and reduce the cheese-like smell, proper hygiene and regular cleaning are essential. This includes washing the area with warm water and mild soap, ensuring regular cleaning of piercings and earrings, and keeping the area dry. In some cases, antibacterial, antifungal, or anti-inflammatory creams may be recommended by a doctor or pharmacist.
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Skin conditions
The skin behind the ears can trap sweat, oils, hair and skin care products, and dead skin cells. This build-up can result in a cheesy smell, especially if you have overactive glands secreting more sweat and sebum.
Several skin conditions can cause or contribute to a cheesy smell behind the ears:
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Also known as eczema, seborrheic dermatitis can cause flaky, scaly skin behind the ears. While the condition does not usually cause a bad smell, the flakes it produces can trap sweat and odour. It can also be painful, which may cause people to avoid thoroughly washing the area, allowing the odour to persist. Antifungal treatments can usually clear symptoms.
Dandruff
Dandruff is characterised by dry, flaky skin that can cause itching. This skin condition can lead to bacterial growth and infection, resulting in a cheesy smell.
Yeast Infections
Yeast infections, such as candidiasis, are caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Yeast tends to grow in warm and moist areas, so people who sweat a lot or do not regularly clean behind their ears may develop this type of infection, leading to a cheesy odour.
Poor Hygiene
While not a skin condition per se, poor hygiene can contribute to or exacerbate other skin conditions. Not cleaning or changing earrings regularly, especially in hot and humid environments, can lead to a build-up of bacteria, sebum, and dead skin cells, resulting in a cheesy smell.
Other Infections
Other types of infections, such as swimmer's ear, cholesteatoma, and ear cancer, can also cause a cheesy odour. These infections can result in discharge, pressure, earaches, and balance issues, in addition to the foul smell.
If you experience persistent or severe skin conditions or odours, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or medical professional for personalised advice and treatment options.
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Hair and skin products
The area behind the ears can trap residue from hair and skin products, sweat, oils, and dead skin cells. This build-up can result in an unpleasant odour, which may be similar to cheese.
To prevent this, it is important to maintain good hygiene by regularly washing the area behind the ears with warm water and soap. People with sensitive skin or eczema should opt for sensitive skin soap. It is also recommended to gently exfoliate the area once or twice a week to prevent dead skin build-up.
If you suspect that hair or skin products are contributing to the smell, you should stop using each product one at a time. This way, you can identify if a specific product is causing the odour. It is also advised to avoid using these products close to the ears.
Additionally, keeping your ears clean is crucial. This is especially important if you have piercings, as earrings can accumulate ear cheese, a mixture of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Regular cleaning of both your ears and earrings can help prevent and eliminate the cheesy odour.
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Medical conditions
The medical conditions that may cause a cheese-like smell in the earlobes include:
Infections
Infections are a common cause of a cheese-like smell in the ears. This is due to bacteria, yeast, and fungi that thrive in the warm and moist environment behind the ears. Infections can occur in the ear canal, leading to symptoms such as itching, pain, or drainage. Even after the infection has cleared, bacteria or fungi may remain, resulting in a persistent cheese-like odour.
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis (a type of eczema), dandruff, and frequent sensitivity rashes can cause dry and irritated skin behind the ears. This can create an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, leading to a cheese-like smell. Poor hygiene in individuals with these skin conditions can further exacerbate the issue.
Earwax Buildup
Excessive earwax buildup can also contribute to a cheese-like smell. Earwax is composed of secretions from glands in the ear canal, dead skin cells, and hair. When earwax accumulates, it can become smelly, especially if it is impacted or difficult to remove. In some cases, earwax buildup may be a result of underlying conditions such as cholesteatoma, a noncancerous skin growth behind the eardrum.
Sinus Infections
Sinus infections can also lead to a cheese-like smell in the earlobes. While the direct connection is unclear, sinus infections can cause an increase in sinus discharge, which can affect the ears and lead to a buildup of bacteria or yeast.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids have been anecdotally linked to "ear cheese." The warm, moist environment created by wearing hearing aids can provide an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, potentially leading to a cheese-like odour.
It is important to note that while these conditions may contribute to a cheese-like smell, they are typically not indicative of a serious medical issue. However, if the smell persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
The accumulation of dead skin cells, oil, sweat, and bacteria can cause a cheese-like odour on your earlobes. This is often referred to as "ear cheese".
To prevent the cheesy odour, you should regularly clean your earlobes and earrings. You should also change your earrings at least once a week.
You can wash the area with warm water and mild soap, then dry it thoroughly. You can also apply diluted apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil to combat the odour-causing bacteria.
Yes, but with caution. Avoid using hair and skin products close to the ears. If you suspect a product is contributing to the smell, stop using it and observe if the smell goes away.
If cleansing and disinfecting the area do not help alleviate the smell, consult a doctor to determine the specific underlying cause. They may recommend antibacterial, antifungal, or anti-inflammatory treatments.
