Ear Cheese: Why do my earrings smell when stretching ears?

Earring holes can come with some unpleasant odors if not taken care of properly. You probably don't want your jewelry to get dirty and smell like ear cheese, do you? 

So why do these piercings smell bad and how can you reduce your risk of smelly ear holes? Read on for our tips on what causes stinky ears.

Why does behind my ear smell?

It's common that the smell emitted behind your ear is due to sebum accumulation.  

Almost every hour, your skin sheds, and all of the dead skin cells are left on the surface which can cause foul odors behind the ears.

What Causes Earring Holes to Smell?

Earring holes can emit a stinky smell due to the accumulation of sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria, and other substances that build up on the skin surface but the most common cause is bacteria buildup which can result in infection. Bacteria naturally occurs on our skin and bodies, and when it accumulates in an ear piercing hole that has not been properly cleaned or maintained, it can lead to an unpleasant odor. So it's essential to take proper care of body jewelry to prevent the accumulation of bacteria which can lead to unpleasant odors emanating from stretched ears.

To keep bacteria at bay, clean your body jewelry regularly or opt for a cleanser specifically designed for stretched ears aftercare such as Ear Butter with activated charcoal or a similar piercing after care product.

Earrings may appear to emit a foul odor due to various factors related to ear stretching. During the healing process of the stretched ear, dead skin cells, blood, and other bodily fluids can accumulate around the jewelry. Not taking proper care of your body jewelry can lead to bad smells coming from your pierced ear holes due to bacterial buildup over time if left unchecked. To prevent this, ensure you are cleaning them regularly which helps keep bacteria at bay while promoting the healing of any new piercings.

Additionally, materials like wood or poorly sterilized jewelry may attract bacteria and cause infection. Avoid using products which trap moisture as those can create breeding grounds for bacteria-causing odors emanating from pierced skin areas including those located near cartilage such as the earlobes.

Why do my earrings smell?

The accumulation of bacteria, poor aftercare practices, and unsanitary jewelry can all lead to smelly ear holes. Also, to help reduce the risk of this unpleasant odor, make sure you clean your jewelry regularly and care for your ear holes properly. It's important to regularly wash gauges with warm salt water and regular soap to help remove any build-up.

Proper care and hygiene can easily solve the issue of smelly gauges in most cases. It's crucial to stretch the ear gradually, wear jewelry made of non-porous materials, and keep the area clean with regular cleaning routines.

If all else fails, take breaks from wearing jewelry altogether to let the lobes breathe and rest. Overall, it's essential to be mindful of hygiene and the materials used in stretching your ears to ensure healthy stretched ears without unpleasant odors.

How to Reduce the Risk of Smelly Ear Holes

It is important to take proper care of your ear gauge holes to avoid any unpleasant odors. To reduce the risk of this happening, here are some tips:

Clean Your Jewelry Regularly

You must clean your jewelry regularly. This will help keep bacteria from building up on the surface around your earings, plugs and tunnels, and from them causing a foul smell. Make sure to rinse off any soap residue thoroughly before reinserting them into your ears.

Use an Antibacterial Soap or Cleanser

Using an antibacterial soap or cleanser when cleaning your plugs and jewelry will help kill any bacteria that may be present on the surface of the plugs and tunnels which could cause a bad odor if left unchecked. Be sure to use only gentle soaps as harsh chemicals are not recommended.

Go with Oils for Ear Stretching

Instead of opting for untested oils, opt for going with an oil meant for stretching ears like those found in the PlugYourHoles.com online store. Lotions should be avoided when caring for pierced ears because they tend to trap dirt particles creating an ideal environment for bacteria growth, potentially leading to stinky results.

R&R time for Earlobes

Resting the earlobes and giving them a break from wearing jewelry can also help to reduce the smell. Rubbing and touching the gauges too much can also introduce bacteria and dirt to the area, making it more likely to develop an infection. After washing, it's important to moisturize the area to help the gauges heal and prevent any dryness or irritation. Overall, proper care and hygiene can help to prevent gauges from emitting a stinky smell and keep them healthy and clean.

By following these tips and using quality earrings and body jewelry from PlugYourHoles, you can help reduce the risk of smelly ear holes and ensure your ears stay clean and healthy.

Think PlugYourHoles for All Your Body Jewelry and Aftercare Needs

There's no doubt that earrings can be a great way to express yourself, however, if you don't take proper care of your piercings and the jewelry in them, you may find yourself dealing with an unpleasant smell coming from your ear holes.

To reduce the risk of smelly ear gauge holes, make sure to practice good aftercare techniques such as cleaning your piercing regularly and using quality products like an ear stretching oil or jojoba oil for stretched ears all of which can be found at PlugYourHoles.com. With the right knowledge, you can enjoy wearing body jewelry without having to worry about your gauges stinking.