I'm a 44 year-old man. For the last year I have been getting a foul-smelling substance behind my ears!?

Question

I wash daily. Is this just something that goes along with getting older?

Answer 1

Let me guess...you have combination skin. If you do then I know what your problem is. Your skin is dry and peeling and then within the same day your skin is oily. The odor is from natural receptors men have there whole life. It may get stronger as you get older. All you can do is wash daily like you are doing...and don't worry. Nobody but your wife is going to be close enough to smell it.

Answer 2

Hi there. Age and sex have nothing to do with it, we all get problems like this from time to time. If I were you I'd definately pop along to the doctor and have him prescribe you some treatment. Any foul-smelling discharge is a sign of infection and if left untreated it may spread.

I'm not a doctor but, working as a medical secretary I get to hear about this sort of thing quite often. You may have a form of otitis externa (look it up on Google, there's lots of info). It's nothing scary, otitis simply means an irritation of the skin and externa means external, obviously, though it can occur in the middle ear (media) or inner ear (i.e. the drum).

Does this sound like you?

Otitis externa (OE) is a common disease affecting all age groups. OE usually represents an acute bacterial infection of the skin of the ear canal, but it can be caused by a fungal infection. OE is a superficial infection of the skin in the ear canal. Two common initiating events may lead to OE. If trapped in the ear canal, moisture may cause maceration of the skin and provide a good breeding ground for bacteria. This may occur after swimming (especially in contaminated water) or bathing, hence the common lay-term swimmer's ear. It also may occur in hot humid weather (when OE is more prevalent).

The second significant factor is trauma to the ear canal that allows invasion of bacteria into the damaged skin. This often occurs after attempts at cleaning the ear with a cotton swab, paper clip, or any other utensil that can fit into the ear.

Once infection is established, an inflammatory response occurs with skin edema. Exudate and pus often appear in the ear canal as well. If severe, the infection may spread and cause a cellulitis of the face or neck.

While OE is a very common disease that occurs worldwide, the infection is believed to be more prevalent in hot and humid conditions.


As you can see, it has nothing to do with whether you wash or not (though I'm sure it will help, it may not eradicate it altogether).

Good luck at the doctors and don't worry - it isn't very serious.

Answer 3

No. It's definitely not age related. I'm in your age group and nothing smells funky on me.
It sounds as if you need to see a dermatologist. You probably have some sort of a skin infection that may be aggravated by sweat, soap, shampoo or something else. If it's behind the ear, you probably cannot see it. Get it checked. It's not normal.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

It may be a fungus or yeast infection. The back of your ears tends to be a warm, moist environment perfect for a fungus or yeast. Both oth these will not go away with just soap and water. A good friend of mine had the same problem. Go to the doctor. She/He can prescribe a medication to clear it up.

Answer 6

Yes and no. Men have receptors in the back of their ears and almost all men have smells behind their ears. Not to worry, nothing is wrong with you.

Answer 7

Is it sore or itchy? It might be a fungal infection. It happens in moist damp areas. You can check with a doctor or try over the counter anti-fungal creams.

Answer 8

u might have a fungus growing behind ur ear go to the doctor so he can look at it and give u meds if needed

Answer 9

i t hink now at your age you finally have time for your self descovery keep searching tere are more secrets for you and your companion

Answer 10

its dead skin piling up...use alcohol and clean there alot........ever check your belly button? Same thing.......just alcohol and do it alot.