Bad smells behind the ears are known to occur for numerous reasons. Most often, the bad smell is associated with a cheese-like odor and can be detected when you rub a finger over the back of the ears or wipe them clean with a cloth. The unpleasant smell behind the ears can be difficult to get rid of sometimes and requires for you to identify what is causing the stinky odor in the first place. Causes are diverse, but poor hygiene is the main issue behind bad, cheese-like smells behind ears.
When do people notice the back of their ears smell bad? Most people become aware of the stinky smell behind their ears when they rub the back of the ears with their hand, wipe them with a cloth or a wet wipe then smell it, when they take their glasses off or out of the blue, without even touching the area, when a breeze of air brings the smell forward. The intensity of the smell varies from person to person. There are people that find the odor smelly, unpleasant, just weird, while others compare it to stinky Swiss cheese or parmesan cheese. A bad cheese smell behind the ears can occur in babies, children and adults of all ages.
What causes the stinky cheese smell behind ears? A cheese smell behind the ears can be caused by so many things and it is possible for more than one causing factor to be responsible for the smell. For example, a tendency to sweat more can cause an unpleasant odor, but a bacterial infection can amplify the smell to the point it becomes absolutely stinky. Here are the top 11 causes for bad, cheese smells behind ears:
1) Poor hygiene. Not washing behind the ears or washing infrequently can cause a bad smell behind the ears to develop. Some people don’t like to wash very often, others neglect to wash thoroughly and dead cells, dust, dirt, bacteria, sweat all accumulate and cause a smelly odor that can become more intense the longer you don’t wash. Poor hygiene of the ears also increases risks of outer and inner ear infections.
2) Long hair. Long hair tends to cover the ears entirely and traps dust, dirt, pollutants, hair products, sweat, scalp oils and dead skin cells. It prevents air from circulating which causes the sweat gland behind the ears to increase perspiration. Long hair also creates a moist environment that encourages bacteria growth behind the ears, especially when it’s hot outside and you’re wearing your hair down or you’re exercising or sleeping and sweating. Thirdly, long hair gets dirty fast and cleaning it is not easy. People with long hair have the habit to constantly touch their hair with their hands, put their hair behind their ears or use hair care products that stimulate oil production and accumulate even more dirt, dust etc.
3) Overactive sweat glands. Sometimes, a bad smell behind the ears is a sign of too much sweating. Some people sweat a lot even when they are sitting and doing nothing. Because sweat contains toxins our body eliminates and creates a moist environment behind the ears, it encourages bacteria growth, fungal infections and a bad smell behind the ears. People that sweat a lot often describe the odor behind their ears as a foul, stinky cheese or armpit smell.
4)Â Dry skin, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. Skin conditions cause itching and dry, flaky skin. The more you scratch, the more damage you do to the skin and the more dead skin cells fall off and eventually accumulate, blocking pores and resulting in a bad smell. The need to scratch behind the ears also puts you at risk for bacterial or fungal infections which can amplify the bad smell.
5) Stress. Many people suffering from stress experience inexplicable itching and tend to develop unhealthy habits such as scratching. Scratching behind the ears can transfer bacteria and other germs to the area and cause infections and a cheese-like smell. Stress also worsens eczema and even dandruff, encouraging the development of a bad smell behind the ears or where the side of the face meets the hair.
6)Â Bacterial infection. One of the most common causes of cheese-like smells behind the ears is a bacterial infection. Bacteria can easily be transferred behind the ears by scratching with dirty hands or putting hair behind the ears all the time. Poor hygiene, ear piercings, eczema that causes itching and subsequent scratching, moisture under long hair, wearing glasses are all factors that can lead to infection and a smelly cheese odor behind the ears.
7) Fungal infection. If you don’t have eczema, but tend to scratch behind the ears all the time, then it’s possible you might have a fungus. For example, if you have a red, round rash, then it’s possible you might have a ringworm behind the ear. The fungal infection can cause a smelly cheese odor when scalp oils, dead skin cells, bacteria etc. accumulate. Having long hair and sweating, but not showering or not drying your hair all create the perfect environment for fungi to grow.
8) Ear piercings. Ear piercings are a common cause for bad cheese smell behind the ear. The odor develops when the piercing becomes infected. The smell may be stronger if you don’t clean the fresh piercing or the earring regularly, if you don’t disinfect the area and the earring and is noticeable when you take off the piercing.
9) Mites. Mites feed on dead skin cells, especially those resulting from dandruff or eczema. Moisturizing skin to prevent flakes, using a natural oil for dry scalp and dandruff as well as appropriate hair care products especially designed for treating dandruff, washing regularly can help solve the problem.
10) Allergies. Although not as common as other causes, allergies can cause a smelly cheese odor behind the ears. Food allergies but also pollen allergies can cause a rash behind the ears which makes you scratch and cause small injuries where bacteria may develop.
11) Toxins and pollution. Just like dust and dirt, toxins and pollution particles can accumulate on our skin, in our hair and behind the ears. Sweat causes us to scratch and create microscopic tears where bacteria and other pathogens may grow, causing an infection and a bad smell behind the ears.
How to get rid of bad smell behind ears
Getting rid of a bad smell or cheese-like odor behind the ears can be achieved successfully by approaching the cause or causes of the smell. Here are the best remedies for it:
1) Wash regularly, especially behind the ears. When? After exercising, when it’s hot outside, if you sweat a lot, have been in dust or outside in windy weather and have allergies or long hair.
2) Use medicated shampoo. Shampoos with Zinc pyrithione are great for seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, fungal and bacterial infections and other scalp and skin conditions which can also extend to the ear area (outer ear and behind the ears).
3) Antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory cream. You doctor will prescribe a cream to apply behind the ears. It may contain just an antibacterial or an antifungal, or all to cover multiple causes of infection and symptoms.
4) Use petroleum jelly. I have used petroleum jelly with calendula extract and found it efficient for eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, itching and dry skin. It creates a barrier on the skin, preventing bacteria and other germs from getting through.
5) Clean piercings and earrings regularly to prevent infections. Chose silver earrings for an antibacterial effect. Silver is less likely to cause irritation and predispose to infections than copper, nickel or other metals.
6) Use wet wipes to clean behind the ears when you are on the go. Antibacterial wet wipes are even better since they help reduce bacterial load and promote good hygiene.
7) Rub alcohol to keep the area behind the ears, piercings and earrings clean and get rid of the cheese smell. Clean ear jewelry regularly and dry before putting it back.
8) Cut hair if it’s too long and you don’t have time to wash it often and dry it well. A lot of times, dust, dirt, allergens, bacteria and other elements gather in hair and predispose to acne (especially on the cheeks, jawline, around ear) and bad smell behind ears.
9) Wash pillow cases, hats and other head and hair accessories often. Change them if you get hot and sweat in them or if somebody else wears them.
10) Reduce or discontinue the use of hair care products like hairspray or hair gel.
They increase scalp oil production and accumulate and trap dust, dirt etc.
11) Some people get rid of the bad smell behind their ears with antiperspirant or stick deodorant. However, it’s recommended to wash behind the ears with soap and water first, dry the area, then apply deodorant or antiperspirant.
12) Dab essential oils to reduce cheese smell (tea tree oil, grapefruit seed oil, peppermint oil or others). Watch out for allergic reactions and skin side effects. Always use very little amounts and always after washing well.
Conclusion
A cheese smell behind the ears can be embarrassing as well as worrisome. Normally, the back of your ears shouldn’t smell bad and, when it does, it makes you wonder what could possibly be wrong. What adds to the difficulty of the situation is the fact that the causes of bad smells behind the ears are often hard to identify correctly, so it may take some time and several failed attempts at a treatment before you discover what really causes the cheesy smell behind the ears and what remedies work best for you. What should help identify the cause and get rid of the bad smell behind the ears is looking for additional symptoms like infection symptoms or signs of a skin condition.
This post was updated on Thursday / July 30th, 2020 at 4:27 PM
It’s fungus. Smells like cheese because that’s a mold. It’s caused by dandruff. Dandruff is caused by fungus. Using the dandruff shampoo Nizoral for 8 weeks (as directed) will stop it. The 4 oz. bottle will do it as it’s used once per week. Then just touch ups after that. If you have dandruff real bad, the flakes will be large and scabbing and itching may be present in the ears and on the eyebrows where the dandruff falls. After Nizoral, the flakes will shrink to nothing all the way to just tiny specks barely visible, which is the normal kind. Shaving the head is not required. Stop using a shampoo that moisturizes as that leaves the scalp too moist and prone to fungus. Switching to Ivory soap (the soap that floats) works as both a body soap and a hair cleaner (shampoo). Ivory soap is pure. Also, stop using a shower head that blasts the body with powerful jets of water as that pounds out too much body oil and leaves the body wanting lotion. Use lotion sparingly as that can grow fungus underneath. Basically, we’re doing it to ourselves as we buy these over-marketed products.
Thank you, Taylor, for your recommendation. And yes, a fungus is a possible cause for dandruff, itchy, irritated scalp and even the cheese smell behind ears.
I had that horrible cheese smell behind my ears for, God knows how many years at least 10. It was only when the kids said that my ears smelled that I knew I even had it, I straight away tried everything, washing, soap, lemon juice, alcohol hand wash, I went to the doctor’s and she gave me some cream to put behind my ears, white and gucky, I applied it as per instruction, used it all up, and it immediately came back, washed and washed, couldn’t get rid of the cheese smell. Then I tried pure tea tree oil. One generous application behind each ear and the cheese smell hasn’t come back, no gunk, no white paste. I am still waiting for the cheese smell infection to come back and keep checking every morning out of fear.
And what was the cream for? A bacterial infection, a fungal infection, a parasitic infection or an atopic dermatitis with autoimmune causes? It’s possible to mistake a bacterial infection for a fungal infection or a parasitic infection for a fungal infection and so on, which could explain why the cream did not work for you. In any case, it’s great that the tea tree oil helped you get rid of the bad cheese smell behind the ears. And it’d be wise to see a doctor again if the infection and bad smell behind the ears come back. Wishing you lots of health!
I suffered with this. I used a spray bottle with 3 quarters vinegar, the rest with water. Spray anywhere on the body. It’s harmless and can be used safely.
Great idea for removing cheese smell behind ears naturally. Thank you, Thomas!
Incidentally, it smells like cheeses because it is the same bacteria, also it the same bacteria that makes your feet smell.
Not sure I understand what you mean by ‘it smells like cheese because it is the same bacteria’. Do you mean the same bacteria present in cheese? I’m asking you this because the bacteria in cheese are not pathogenic (if they were, eating cheese would make us sick). The bacteria in cheese is beneficial probiotic bacteria that complements our good gut bacteria populations and does not cause any form of infection or disease. So it’s different from the bacteria that causes disease.
If it really were a bacterium that caused cheese smell behind the ears, it would more likely be one that is transferred from the environment or other people to our hands and from there to the back of the ears. And it would have to be pathogenic and cause infection to produce the smell behind the ears. At the same time, it can be a fungus or even something autoimmune like an atopic dermatitis, an eczema that causes bad smell behind the ears. You can’t really know until you’ve seen a doctor and had some tests to determine the exact cause or microorganism. But it’s unlikely that the beneficial probiotic bacteria in some cheeses cause a bad smell behind the ears. It doesn’t work like that.
I clean my pierced ears with dental pics. Yes, it works. I also found if I don’t wear cheap ear rings, I don’t have this problem. A good cleaning with alcohol in the pierced hole and wiping behind the ear stops the problem.
Clean behind ears once a day using rubbing alcohol.
Great idea, both for preventing and sometimes treating cheese smell behind ears. I would like to add that cleaning with warm water and a gentle soap every day can also help prevent bad smells behind the ears. If you have long hair or engage in activities that cause excessive sweating, it could help to also wash behind the ears with warm water and soap every morning and evening before sleep and always dry with a towel.
It is not good to shower or soak in tub more then twice a year and never with soap! Wipe with dry rag only if you want to look and feel young.
Well, washing more often than that has its benefits. Bacteria, sweat accumulate on the skin and clog pores and washing with soap or similar products helps unclog pores and keep skin clean, reducing the likelihood of skin infections. Dry exfoliation using a clean, dry rag or towel can help remove old skin cells and improve skin aspect, but it doesn’t replace washing and should be done carefully so as to not scratch the skin.
Often times, the reason why the ears smell or there is an odor behind the ears is because there is an infection (bacterial, fungal, rarely parasitic). In such cases, you can only get rid of the bad ear smell with good hygiene, which includes thorough and frequent washing, and adequate treatment (antibacterial, antifungal, anti-parasitic creams). Just as important for ear odor treatment is drying the back of the ears well with a hair drier or a clean towel after washing. This is a great way to both help treat and prevent future infections that cause a bad smell behind the ears.
Easy, wash!
None of these comments/opinions addressed a diet. You could try an elimination diet to remove everything that has sugars and yeasts in it. I haven’t had smelly ear or a bad cheese smell behind the ears this whole year, but now a major flare up happened after drinking 4 days in a row captain kombucha drinks. Back to pure ketogenic diet and as an acute cure, I’m trying a black+green tea with: garlic, clove, oregano, turmeric, black pepper. Very antibacterial combo.
Hello, Jani. The elimination diet is a good idea, if the bad smell behind the ears is caused by something in your diet. Some of the foods you’ve listed for trying to get rid of the bad smell behind the ears could help in this case. But I’d also address ear hygiene like washing behind the ears more often, especially washing off sweat, maybe using antibacterial soap, drying the area behind the ears well, first with a towel, then with a hair drier.
Also, know that foods such as garlic, onions, eggs or fish can cause a bad smell in some people that is let out through the sweat glands. And since we sweat behind the ears as well (a lot actually), it’s not unlikely for the bad, possibly cheese-like smell to be caused by eating such foods or having a higher intake of such foods. If you’ve experienced a bad body odor (a cheese, acrid or pungent body smell) in the past after eating garlic or onions or fish or eggs, it could help to eliminate these foods too for a while and see if there are any improvements in body odor. Wishing you lots of health, Jani, and looking forward to hearing back from you about your acute cure for the bad smell behind the ears!