The presence of an unpleasant odor behind the ears is an alarming sign. If it does not disappear against the background of regular and proper hygiene procedures, you should consult a doctor. The specialist will draw up a referral for examination, based on the results of which he will draw up a treatment regimen and give recommendations.
Causes in Adults
In most cases, a person has an unpleasant odor behind the ears is a consequence of the active life of pathogenic microorganisms. At the same time, the protective system under the influence of adverse factors weakens and cannot cope with microbes. Against the background of these processes, the microflora balance is disturbed. Sweat glands are also involved in this. The smell of the secret secreted by them is greatly enhanced during the life of pathogenic microorganisms.
The most common causes of bad breath behind the ears are the following diseases and conditions:
- Impaired functioning of the sebaceous glands. In such cases, there is a rapid multiplication of bacteria and fungi.
- Non-observance of hygiene rules, due to which there is a layering of the secreted fat and dead cells on healthy skin.
- Excessive passion for synthetic cosmetics.
- Complication after a puncture, which is an infectious lesion. In this case, an unpleasant odor from the earlobes will come.
- Excessive enthusiasm for foods containing a large amount of animal fat.
- Disorders of metabolic processes.
- The period of bearing a child.
- Hormonal imbalance. As a rule, the smell is most pronounced during puberty and menopause.
- Long-term use of certain medications.
- The presence of a large amount of sulfur in the ears.
- Otitis.
- Seborrheic dermatitis.
- Otomycosis.
- Atheroma (cyst).
- Lymphadenitis
If there are other signs, you need to contact a therapist and dermatologist. The doctor will find out why there is an unpleasant smell behind the ears and will draw up a treatment regimen.
Causes in children
The most common warning sign is due to fluid buildup near the eardrum. Normally, it flows independently when yawning and swallowing through the Eustachian tube. Under the influence of provoking factors (colds, allergic reactions, infections, etc.), this process is disrupted. Against this background, bacteria begin to multiply and the child has an unpleasant odor from the ear constantly.
The main causes of the pathological condition in children:
- Otitis (including external and fungal nature).
- Furuncle.
If there is a constant unpleasant odor, it is necessary to show the child to the pediatrician.
Associated symptoms
The presence of any of the following conditions is the basis for seeking medical help. They indicate that the pathological process is the cause of the unpleasant odor in the ears of a person.
The following symptoms are considered alarming:
- Various discharges from the organ of hearing.
- Peeling of the skin.
- Swelling.
- Itching
- The appearance of noise in the head.
- Slight hearing loss.
- Acne behind the ears.
- Rash of erythematous nature.
- Redness of the skin.
- The formation of scales behind the ears.
- Enlarged lymph nodes in this area.
Children become restless, moody, their sleep disturbance. A large accumulation of sulfur can be detected in the ears, and serous-purulent contents can also stand out from them.
Diagnostics
If there is an unpleasant odor behind the ears, you should consult a physician or dermatologist. The physician needs to provide information on the symptoms and how long they appeared.
After the survey, the specialist will conduct an inspection, based on the results of which he will be able to determine the necessary amount of diagnostic measures. In most cases, it is enough to take a small number of cells from the behind-the-ear area. The biomaterial is taken by scraping. The procedure is quick and painless. To determine the cause of the pathological condition, the doctor may additionally prescribe a blood test.
Treatment
It is important to understand that an unpleasant smell behind the ears is a symptom, it is not advisable to fight only with it. It is important to eliminate the root cause.
To this end, the doctor draws up a treatment regimen that includes the following items:
- Reception and external use of antifungal drugs. These agents prevent the propagation of pathogens and reduce the severity of their effects on the human body. Such medicines are available in the form of tablets, drops and ointments. As a rule, doctors prescribe the use or administration of the following drugs: Pimafucin, Clotrimazole, Miconazole. The choice of product directly depends on the type of fungus that caused the unpleasant odor.
- The use of antiseborrhoeic shampoos. These therapeutic agents normalize the work of the sebaceous glands and prevent the increased production of sebum. Against this background, the number of pathogens decreases. Examples of shampoos: “Sebozol”, “Nizoral”, “Keto-plus”, “Sulsena”.
- Taking drugs that reduce the degree of perspiration. With hyperhidrosis, as a rule, “Formagel” is prescribed.
- Reception of tranquilizers. Sometimes an unpleasant odor behind the ears may appear against the background of a prolonged stay in a state of stress. To maintain the nervous system, tranquilizers, such as Diazepam, can be prescribed.
- The use of antiseptics. The skin behind the ears must be disinfected. Due to this, it is cleaned, due to which the unpleasant odor can disappear. Most often, doctors recommend using Xeroform.
- Reception of immunostimulating agents and vitamin complexes. To strengthen the protective system of the body, experts prescribe, as a rule, “Aevit”.
If an unpleasant odor behind the ears appears against the background of the formation of a cyst, surgical intervention is indicated, during which it is removed.
Folk methods
Using non-traditional methods does not eliminate the need to contact a medical institution. Alternative treatment is acceptable, but only after the permission of a specialist.
In the presence of an unpleasant odor, it is recommended to use essential oils, especially tea tree. This tool is the most powerful in the fight against fungi and other pathogens.
Initially, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the area behind the ears. After this, you need to apply tea tree oil diluted with the base. Proportions - 1: 2. As a basis, you can take jojoba oil, apricot, almond, etc.
Recommendations
In order to increase the effectiveness of drug treatment and prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor behind the ears, the following rules must be observed:
- Regularly clean the temples of the glasses with disinfectants.
- If there is an infection of the lobe, it is recommended to change the earrings to gold or silver. Products made of low-quality alloys often contain substances that are potential allergens and interfere with wound healing.
- Thoroughly wash the area behind the ears with each wash.
- Make adjustments to the diet. The amount of fatty, fried, smoked food and fast food should be reduced to a minimum, and it is better to exclude them altogether.
In addition, you must constantly monitor the cleanliness of things with which the scalp comes into contact daily. Such items include: scarves, pillowcases, hats, towels, clothing collars, etc.
Finally
An unpleasant smell behind the ears is an alarming sign. Often, its presence indicates the development of a pathological process that poses a danger to human health. If an unpleasant odor is combined with other alarming signs or it is regular, you should consult a doctor. The specialist will draw up a referral for diagnostic measures and draw up a treatment regimen. The choice of drugs depends on what disease or condition caused the unpleasant odor in the area behind the ears.