Why Do Earring Smell?

Your skin secretes a natural oil called sebum which can mix with the dead cells in your piercings and cause a buildup. This buildup serves as a great environment for bacteria to thrive and hence you end up with a foul smell.

How do I stop my ear piercing from smelling?

People can try the following strategies to prevent developing a smell behind the ears:
  1. Wash behind the ears during every bath or shower. ...
  2. Wipe the area behind the ears with a warm, wet washcloth after intense physical activity.
  3. Keep ear piercings clean. ...
  4. Gently exfoliate the area behind the ears once or twice per week.

Why do my earring holes smell?

Your body secretes a substance called sebum as part of its normal everyday work. Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous glands in the skin. ... Mix sebum with some dead skin cells and a little bit of bacteria, and you get some really potent smelling piercings! The discharge is semi-solid and smells like stinky cheese.

Elena Rostova

Elena Rostova

Lead Health, Wellness & Medical Journalist

Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.