We came across listening to people daily asking these two questions: why do my earrings smell? Why does my ear piercing smell? This common problem is encountered by people who are used to wearing earrings for extended periods. When the earrings are worn for a long period and are not cleaned properly, it will result in your earrings and ears giving out a foul smell. So, it is essential to determine the factors responsible for the smell coming from their earrings or earring holes. Poor hygiene practices, infections, and the materials of the earrings are the common contributing factors to smelly ears. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures and employ solutions to eradicate that foul smell in the ears. In this article, we have discussed the major causes of earring smell and addressed the simple solutions to eliminate this irritating smell problem.
Common Causes of Earring Smell
Accumulation of Dead Skin Cells and Bacteria
The accumulation of bacteria and dead skin cells is one of the primary causes of the odor coming from the earrings. Skin cells shed in the surrounding area of your ear holes might collect and combine with sweat and natural oils. This mixture gives bacteria the ideal environment to grow and produces a foul smell. The odor is often referred to as smelling like cheese due to the presence of similar bacteria found in certain cheeses.
Infection or Inflammation
If your ear piercing is inflamed or infected, it may smell foul. This could be due to improper follow-up care or using harsh chemicals on the piercing. An infection might also produce discharge, which contributes to the odor.
Material of the Earrings
The type of metal used in your earrings can also cause the smell. Stainless steel and sterling silver are less likely to react with your skin and release an odor than less expensive metals, but such reactions can sometimes produce an unpleasant smell.
Poor Hygiene Practices
A contributing factor to the smell may be that you don’t clean your earrings regularly. Earrings can accumulate dirt and oil over time, giving them an unpleasant odor if you neglect to take them off and clean them regularly. To keep your earrings clean, you need to make a habit of washing them with soap and water.
Solutions to Prevent Earring Smell
Regular cleaning
To prevent earrings from smelling, remove your earrings regularly and clean them regularly. Use warm water and mild soap to gently scrub away any debris. Before putting them in your ears, please rinse them and let them air dry. This prevents the accumulation of skin cells and lipids. While taking off the earrings might appear easy, it’s essential to do so carefully, especially if you have recently pierced or sensitive ears. Taking the proper precautions will guarantee that you stay pain-free and prevent any harm to your ears when wearing flat-back or hoop-style earrings. This is how to remove earrings so your earlobes remain happy and healthy.
Sterilization with Isopropyl Alcohol
Use isopropyl alcohol to sterilize your earrings periodically. Soak a cotton ball in alcohol and wipe down the earrings, particularly the posts and the areas that go through your ears. This step helps eliminate any residual bacteria responsible for the earring smell.
Use a Saline Solution
Soak your earrings in a saline solution for a more thorough cleaning, mainly if you recently got new piercings. This helps clean and gets rid of any bacteria that have accumulated.
- Combine one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water to make your saline solution.
Choose Quality Materials
Selecting hypoallergenic materials for your earrings, such as sterling silver or stainless steel, reduces the likelihood of reactions that result in odors. The best earring materials for sensitive skin types are safe and less likely to contain microorganisms, thus preventing foul smells and infections.
Seek professional Help
See a board-certified dermatologist if the unpleasant odor does not go through routine cleaning. A board-certified dermatologist or MD may decide whether treatment is required for an underlying skin problem or infection.
Proper Aftercare for Piercings
People with newly pierced ears must follow the recommended aftercare procedures. Avoid handling the piercings with dirty hands, and clean them twice a day using a saline solution. Ensure that you keep the area dry and free from items that contain harsh chemicals.
Avoid Sleeping with Earrings
Remove your earrings before bed to give your earring holes space to breathe. Furthermore, this minimizes the buildup of dead skin cells and oils overnight which are the main causes of earrings smell.
Conclusion
It is crucial to recognize the importance of hygiene, material quality, and appropriate aftercare to understand better why my ear piercings or ear holes smell. Regular cleaning with saline solution, isopropyl alcohol, soap, and water can prevent bacteria and dead skin cells from accumulating. Selecting high-quality materials such as sterling silver and stainless steel can also significantly combat these smells.
If the foul smell persists after you have taken these steps, it is recommended that you speak with a board-certified dermatologist. This professional can offer you specific advice and treatments to keep your ear piercings clean and odor-free. Maintaining clean and fresh-smelling earrings and earring holes requires regular maintenance and careful approaches.