If you are an individual who wears earrings, then chances are that they emit a certain odor. This is not the most pleasant of smells to be around, and it can lead to some awkward moments in public.
In this blog post, we will discuss why your earrings smell and what you can do about it.
What Is An Earring?
An earring is a piece of jewelry that can be worn on the body through some piercings. These holes are made in such places as the lobe, cartilage, and tragus. Earrings come in many shapes and styles; from studs to hoops.
There’s always something for everyone when it comes to earrings! And while we all love our favorite earrings, sometimes they can emit a strange odor.
Why Do My Earrings Smell?
A smelly earing can be caused by a few different things. Below is a list of some causes of an earring smell:
The Material That The Earring Is Made Of.
Some metals are prone to corrosion. When this happens, they emit an obnoxious smell that can be quite hard to get rid of quickly. Metals like copper and silver corrode rather easily, whereas stainless steel does not.
Oil Produced By The Skin
The oil also mixes with sweat which is why you’ll find most people’s ears will have a natural scent to them. And while it isn’t noticeable, those who wear heavy earrings will notice that their ears often smell as well.
The Body’s Natural Bacteria
The body’s natural bacteria can also be a reason for why an earring smells. Bacteria forms on various surfaces, including metals when there is moisture present. For example, if you wear your favorite earrings to work out, then they are likely to smell afterward.
The Environment You Live In
This can also play a part in why your earrings smell. If the air quality where you live is poor, then this could cause an unappealing odor to emit from your piercings. This typically occurs around smoggy and industrialized areas.
Perfumes And Colognes
Perfumes and colognes can also have a hand in why an earring smells. The chemicals used to create these products can irritate the skin and cause your earrings to smell even worse than before!
So next time you apply perfume or cologne, make sure you allow it some time to settle on your body first. Additionally, when choosing a perfume or cologne, it is best to go with an organic and natural one.
What Can You Do About An Earring Smell?
If your earrings are emitting a bad smell, then there are some steps that you should take right away;
Take Your Earrings Off
The first thing to do when dealing with this problem is to remove all of the jewelry from your piercings. Then, clean them gently with a cloth and warm water. This should remove the bacteria that has been causing the smell in your earrings to be so pungent!
Keep Ears Dry
It is also important to ensure that your piercings stay as dry as possible. Some people like to apply various creams around their earholes. However, oftentimes, these products can cause more harm than good. This is because they contain chemicals that can irritate the skin and lead to a worse odor later on.
Use Anti-Bacterial Soap
It’s best to use gentle antibacterial soaps or natural oils such as coconut oil to keep your piercings clean. These products will help to keep your ears dry and reduce the number of bacteria that are present.
Use Anti-Bacterial Spray
Sprays are also available at most pharmacies which can be used to kill off any leftover bacteria. These sprays typically work very well, however, they must be applied directly into each earhole for it to properly work.
Be Wary Of Earrings
Before purchasing any new earrings, it’s important to consider whether or not they are prone to corrosion. Earrings made out of stainless steel tend to be the best because these metals do not emit a smell at all! Meanwhile, copper and silver will start corroding over time – even if you never wear them – and can lead to smelly earrings.
Is It Possible To Prevent An Earring Smell In The Future?
Yes! There are a few steps you can take to make sure your piercings don’t emit any of the bad smells we’ve discussed above. How can I do that?
- Remove all earrings before you go to bed at night and only wear the ones you need during this time. This will help your ears to breathe while also preventing any bacteria from building upon them.
- Avoid wearing heavy makeup around your piercings because it can get caught in between them, leading to an unpleasant smell.
- Only wear your earrings for a few hours at a time. This will give them enough time to breathe and maintain their beautiful appearance! If you are someone who likes to wear jewelry all day long, then consider investing in stainless steel alternatives. These do not contain any nickel or other metals that can cause harmful side effects if worn too frequently.
- Make sure to clean your ears at least once a day and apply the anti-bacterial spray to them. This will ensure that they stay as bacteria-free as possible.
- Wearing studs with backs and using metal or stainless-steel earrings can help prevent piercings from emitting a bad smell as well. This is because the back will not allow bacteria to enter your ears. It also prevents any sort of infection from taking place later on down the road.
What Are the Best Ways To Clean Your Earrings?
The best way to clean your earrings is by using antibacterial soap and warm water. After washing the earrings, simply dry them off with a towel and put them back in their case. If you don’t have access to any antibacterial soaps, then consider applying natural oils such as coconut oil onto your piercings. You can do this after you have showered.
This will help to keep your piercings clean and smelling fresh! Avoid using alcohol or other harsh chemicals. These can irritate the skin surrounding your ears; leading to irritation, itching, and even infection in some cases.
If you are someone who wears earrings regularly, then consider purchasing a special solution. You can use this to spray on the earrings before wearing them. This will prevent any bacteria from growing on your piercings and ensure they stay as clean and healthy as possible.
The best time to apply this type of solution is after showering when pores are open and more likely to absorb its benefits. Alternatively, you can apply it before going to bed so that the solution has time to soak into your skin. This will prevent any bad smells from emitting.
Ways You Can Store Your Earrings So That They Last Longer
As you can see, there are a ton of different steps that you should take to prevent smelly piercings and earrings from occurring. If you follow all of these tips and tricks, then your earrings will last longer and smell better for years to come.
- If you are someone who likes to keep their earrings out in the open, then consider investing in a jewelry stand or holder. That will allow your piercings to sit on display while also preventing them from getting tangled with one another.
- You can also store them in a drawer by separating them into different compartments with pieces of tissue paper. This will prevent your earrings from touching one another and getting tangled. It will also make it easier to find the right pair when you’re looking for something specific.
- Storing them in their specific box or case is also a great idea! Just make sure you clean the container before putting them in there.
Conclusion
Earrings can be a great way to enhance your appearance and improve your confidence. However, it is important to take the necessary precautions to ensure your piercings remain clean and healthy! By utilizing a few of the tips mentioned above, you can keep your earrings smelling fresh for a long time.
After cleaning, earring storage is also an important step to take. There are many types of jewelry organizers for earrings that can improve the hygiene and storage process significantly! You could also use a separate container or case like the one mentioned above. However, make sure you clean it out first before placing your piercings inside.