Smell Behind The Ears: What Are The Causes? - Medical News Today

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat causes a smell behind the ear, and what to do about it

Medically reviewed by E. Mimi Arquilla, DO — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on October 8, 2025

Seborrheic dermatitis
Poor hygiene
Infected ear piercings
Yeast infection
Infected injuries
Prevention
Summary

Possible causes of a smell behind the ear include poor hygiene, seborrheic dermatitis, infections, and more. Treatment depends on the cause.

Because people cannot see the area behind their ears, they may not think to wash it or check for skin irritation or signs of infection.

In most cases, a smell behind the ears is not a sign of a serious problem. Finding the right treatment and paying a little more attention to the area can usually clear it up.

There are also many effective methods of prevention, which we also discuss in this article.

a person washing their hair in a shower-1 — Anciens Huang/Getty Images

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a type of eczema that can cause flaky, scaly skin.

It can affect any area of the body, including the back of the ears. In some cases, fungi that live on the skin cause seborrheic dermatitis.

The condition does not usually cause a bad smell. However, the scaly, oily flakes it produces can trap sweat and odor. Also, the condition can sometimes be painful, which may cause people to avoid thoroughly washing behind their ears.

Treatment

Using antifungal treatments can usually clear symptoms. Many people with seborrheic dermatitis on the skin also have this condition on the scalp, so it may be helpful to wash the scalp with antifungal shampoo.

Poor hygiene

The area of skin directly behind the ears can easily trap sweat, oils, and residue from skin and hair care products. This may be especially likely with long hair.

The area behind the ears is also impossible to see without a mirror, so most people rarely see it. They may not wash the area much or pay close attention when they do.

Treatment

If the area does not hurt and just smells bad, the simplest solution is to thoroughly wash with warm water and a mild soap or cleanser.

»Learn more:What is the best shower frequency?

Infected ear piercings

An ear piercing is an open wound until it fully heals.

For this reason, it is easy for bacteria to enter the wound. Bacteria can also infect healed ear piercings, especially if the piercing is unclean.

Infected ear piercings sometimes smell bad. Pus, dead skin, and other drainage from the infection can stick to earring posts and backs. This can cause a bad smell to linger.

If the infection is painful, if there is a fever or swollen lymph nodes, or if home treatment does not work, see a doctor. As with other infections, ear piercing infections can travel to other areas of the body and potentially become very serious.

People should see a doctor if the infection is in the cartilage of the ear. These infections can be more difficult to treat and may require antibiotics.

Treatment

Cleaning the ears and earring posts with either rubbing alcohol or a special ear piercing solution might help.

»Learn more:What causes a piercing rejection to occur?

Yeast infection

Candidiasis, better known as a yeast infection, is an infection with the fungus Candida albicans.

Yeast tends to grow in warm and moist areas. As a result, people who sweat a lot or those who do not clean the area behind their ears regularly may develop a yeast infection.

Yeast infections tend to itch and may produce a beer- or bread-like smell.

Rarely, a person may develop a serious yeast infection that doctors call invasive candidiasis. This occurs when yeast gets into the bloodstream and spreads through the body. When this happens, a person may develop signs of a yeast infection in several areas of the body.

People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, are more vulnerable to this infection.

Treatment

Most yeast infections respond well to over-the-counter antifungal remedies. If the infection is severe, if a person with a weak immune system develops the yeast infection, or if home remedies do not work, a doctor can prescribe a pill or cream to clear the infection.

Sometimes, yeast or other fungi infect the inside of the ear, usually in the outermost part. Doctors call this otomycosis.

This infection may become invasive, spreading deep into the ear or even into the bone. Otomycosis can cause intense pain and itching in the ear. A doctor can prescribe medication to treat it.

Infected injuries

Infected injuries sometimes smell unpleasant. It is possible not to notice an injury behind the ear, such as a cut, scrape, or pimple, until it becomes infected.

If there is a fever or intense pain, or if the injury is very flushed, seek immediate medical attention.

Treatment

If the pain is minor, try cleaning the injury with mild soap and water and applying a triple antibiotic ointment. See a doctor if symptoms do not go away after a few days.

If there is swelling, pain, or discharge, the infection probably requires antibiotics.

How to prevent a smell behind the ears

Preventing a bad smell behind the ear is typically as simple as keeping the area clean. Good hygiene may also help prevent infections and skin irritation.

People can try the following strategies to prevent developing a smell behind the ears:

Wash behind the ears during every bath or shower. People with sensitive skin or eczema should use a hypoallergenic cleanser.
Gently wipe the area behind the ears with a warm, wet washcloth after intense physical activity.
Keep ear piercings clean. Do not take new posts out until at least 6 weeks after piercing. Children who are too young to clean their ears must receive adult help.
Gently exfoliate the area behind the ears once or twice per week. This prevents dead skin from building up. An exfoliating wash or rough washcloth can help with this task. People with skin conditions should discuss exfoliation with a doctor before trying it.
Do not ignore a bad smell, even if there is no pain. It may be a warning sign of an infection or other problem, so it is best to see a doctor.

»MORE:Get a skin condition evaluation in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Summary

Noticing a bad smell behind the ears can be alarming. Finding the right treatment can help remove the smell and resolve the underlying cause.

In many cases, treatment is a simple matter of washing this often neglected area. Even when an infection or other serious issue is the cause, a doctor can usually prescribe a quick-acting treatment.

Discussing unusual smells in the body may feel uncomfortable, but people should not hesitate to seek help from a healthcare professional. They can offer reassurance that the problem is common and a quick path to relief.

Dermatology
Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Ear, Nose, and Throat
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Candidasis basics. (2024).https://www.cdc.gov/candidiasis/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/index.html
Otomycosis. (2023).https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/otomycosis/
Schleehauf B. (2023). Caring for new piercings.https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/tattoos/caring-for-pierced-ears
Seborrheic dermatitis. (2025).https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/seborrheic-dermatitis/

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Medically reviewed by E. Mimi Arquilla, DO — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on October 8, 2025

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