Why do behind my ears smell bad

That makes your skin even more vulnerable as you introduce bacteria and pollutants to the area. Emotional or physical stress can increase the desire to scratch, further promoting these conditions. Keep your lower scalp, ears, and upper neck clear of pore-clogging products and uncovered by hair or clothing, too. Be vigilant in hot, humid weather or after intense physical exercise. Rub alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on the area behind the ears, especially after ear piercings.

Talk to your doctor to help determine the cause. They can also recommend whether antibacterial, antifungal, or anti-inflammatory creams, including hydrocortisone, might help with treatment. Your doctor may give you a prescription.

If excess sweat is causing the smell behind your ears, clean the area with a damp cloth or fragrance-free wipe after exercising or being out in the heat. When your glands secrete excess sebum, acne may develop. You can unclog pores and dry up excess sebum behind your ears by using:. Consider cutting your hair away from your ears. Wash hats, earmuffs, scarves, and pillow cases often. Avoid using hair and skin products close to the ears to see if any one of them is contributing to the smell behind your ears.

Stop each product one at a time. If your skin seems to be very dry and flaky rather than oily and clogged, shampoos containing zinc pyrithione may help. These shampoos can reduce eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and various infections that thrive in more arid skin conditions.

BTW, here's how to clean jewelry, according to the pros. And this is what your number of multiple ear piercings says about your personality it's a thing. Your official excuse to add "OOD" ahem, out of doors to your cal. Become an Insider. Enter Email Address. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Youtube Instagram. How many conversations have you had with your friends or coworkers just us? As a result, their ears get a little itchy. Adding a few drops of mineral oil to the ear canal can ease that discomfort and soften the earwax at the same time.

What if your ears have no earwax at all? It is a condition called keratosis obturans, and it means there is a hard plug where the earwax comes out. You might feel pain in that ear and have trouble hearing. The treatment is simple, let a doctor pull the plug out. In some, the condition is chronic, and the patient requires regular medical care. Earwax, who knew it was so interesting. Name required. Email required. Phone required. Please leave this field empty.

Your Message. Charlotte, NC. Call or Text Us! It is either dry, or wet and kind of sticky. How your earwax feel is a genetic trait you can use to trace your roots. According to a study in the journal Nature Genetics, it is a gene mutation that determines whether your earwax is wet or dry. Researchers investigated 33 different populations around the world and found:. The difference between these two groups boils down to one gene called ABCC It is the gene that manages the flow of earwax-altering molecules.

At some point centuries ago, the gene changed in people in Europe and Africa as they adapted to a new surrounding. The researchers from this study hypothesized that insects lead to the mutation. The thick, wet earwax can trap insects and protect the deeper areas inside the ear canal and possibly even the brain.

It is a change designed to improve a species odds of survival. When you sweat, the water will mix with your earwax, changing the color and texture. Pus created by the response can mix with the earwax, and that may lead to the difference in color. When your earwax smells terrible, pay attention because it most likely indicates a severe infection. A bad smell can also mean an infection is causing middle ear damage.