5 Reasons It Smells Bad Behind Your Ears

Is it possible that the area behind your ears actually ... smells? Chalk it up to another one of those bodily oddities — or, actually, add it to the list of body parts that can give off an odor.

“It’s not uncommon for patients to notice an unpleasant odor behind the ears. This is a region that tends to trap sweat and moisture, which can be a setup for unpleasant smells,” says S. Tyler Hollmig, MD, director of dermatologic surgery and director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at the University of Texas at Austin.

We asked Dr. Hollmig what could really be going on, and how to make your ears smell pleasant again.

1. Oily and Greasy Stuff Accumulates Back There

You know your T-zone can be an oil slick, but behind-the-ears can be too.

The region “is relatively rich in sebaceous glands, which secrete oil and other greasy substances. The mixture may build up due to a lack of cleaning,” Hollmig says.

Sebum has a cheesy smell. How much sebum you secrete is purely individual.

Fix It

Showering with a gentle soap is sufficient. If you don’t shower daily, you can simply use a washcloth to clean the area when you wash your face.

2. It’s Normal Skin Bacteria

Along with excess oil, bacteria on your skin also factors into the funky smell. Hair products and pollution can collect there and contribute to the odor as well, Hollmig says.

‌Fix It

Again, make sure not to neglect the area when you shower, and use a washcloth on days that you don’t shower.

3. A Skin Condition Could Be the Culprit

“This usually does not smell on its own, although it can yield greasy yellow flakes that may trap sweat and other materials, thereby causing a musty or other bad smell,” Hollmig says.

‌Fix It

4. Your Headphones Are to Blame

When you wear something around your ears, such as glasses, face masks, earmuffs, headphones, or a helmet, the straps or frames trap sebum, pollution, and bacteria, Hollmig says.

“When these have no place to escape, buildup can cause acne, an unpleasant smell, and various other skin conditions, like dermatitis,” he explains.

Fix It

Along with sudsing up the ear area, wash the items that hug your ears regularly. Toss earmuffs and headbands into the washing machine, and always wash a cloth face mask after each use.

5. Your Ear Piercings Are Causing Trouble

If, along with a smell, you’re also noticing pain, swelling, and drainage, and you just received a new piercing, it might be an infection.

“Infections may arise if a piercing was not performed in a sterile environment, where bacteria or other organisms were embedded into the skin,” Hollmig says.

Other piercing-associated skin woes include irritation and allergies.

Fix It

See your doctor or dermatologist. Treatment for an infection often includes antibiotics — and you may have to have the piercing removed, says Hollmig.

The Best Way to Clean Behind Your Ears

It’s easy to assume that the suds from your shampoo will do the job, but “there’s a reason our mothers always reminded us to wash behind our ears,” Hollmig says.

Every day is best, because consistency is key, Hollmig says. The same gentle cleanser you use for your face can also be used to suds up your ear area, as it’s strong enough to remove the dead skin, dirt, sebum, wax, and bacteria.

“I would not recommend that patients use overly harsh scrubs, as the ears are also prone to irritation and eczema,” says Hollmig.

The Takeaway

• The area behind the ears can smell bad for a number of different reasons, including a buildup of sebum or yeast, or from wearing things that cover the ears, such as headphones or a bike helmet.
• Keeping the ear area clean is mostly a matter of remembering to wash behind the ears whenever you shower or wash your face.
• If the area is itchy or seems infected, call your doctor or dermatologist for advice on how to relieve the symptoms.