# Why does it smell like swiss cheese behind my ears? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 21, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895 "2011-07-21T19:18:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/41 "2011-11-02T02:56:34Z")
I have been told my natural aroma is like that of baking bread. ---
**Author:** ![Heretohelp732](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Heretohelp732](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heretohelp732)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/42 "2013-12-20T04:39:58Z")
Here is how I stopped the smell from behind my ears: First, I’ve tried everything! Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, lotions, listerine, vinegar, etc. The yeasty smell like cheese kept coming back behind my ear and alot of times it felt damp when I ran my finger behind my ear. The solution is to wash behind your ear in the shower (as normal), BUT when you get out of the shower make sure you dry around and behind the ear thoroughly!!! Final step, take a bottle of Gold Bond extra strength and dip your finger in it or a qtip and wipe it behind your ear very generously before going to bed. Yes, it will be powdery at night, but you wont notice it when you leave for work. You can swipe behind your ear the next day and it will not have that awful cheese cheddar smell. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/43 "2013-12-20T15:45:32Z")
Stop bobbing for bread chunks in the fondue pot. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/44 "2013-12-20T15:55:14Z")
> [@Heretohelp732](#): > > The solution is to wash behind your ear in the shower Wait, so are you telling me my mom was right all along? ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/45 "2013-12-20T16:59:30Z")
> [@TheBaptiste](#): > > If I swipe my finger behind my ear and then smell it, it smells just like swiss. Even within hours of a shower. The sides of my nose have a similar scent. > > Is this normal or a sign of impending doom? It means you were born in Wisconsin. ---
**Author:** ![Shankly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Shankly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shankly)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/46 "2014-01-06T21:23:20Z")
I also had,the,same problem of the cheesy smell behind my ears. Tried,lots of,things as was mentioned on here as,well as other forums, but without any success. Then i decided to try Aloe from the Aloe plant. We have about five different Aloe plant species in our garden. I washed and cleaned behind my ears as part of my daily regime, broke a piece,of Aloe of one of our plants broke it open and wiped the clear liquid at the back of my ears. Eureka! It works like a bomb. It cost,nothing,and as i am writing this 3 days have passed,without any smell. I reapply it, every two days,and so far so good. Aloe is also wonderful for,burns, break off a piece and apply,to the affected area…if,the,burn is severe slice the aloe leaves open and apply it on the,area with gauze or bandage. I burned my fingers on the,stove…applied,Aloe and did not even get any blisters!!! Just remember to hold the,burnt,area under running cold water,first. ---
**Author:** ![junglegrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@junglegrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/junglegrrl)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/47 "2014-01-06T21:38:18Z")
who could have known how much activity cheesy ears could inspire!! HAHAHA!!! I advise a little olive oil back there with a soft toothbrush followed by soap, there is a gunk that can build up back there on my kids, doesn;t smell on them, but maybe cause i bathee them regularly… at any rate the antiseptic is a good idea too, ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/48 "2014-01-06T21:56:49Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > As long as we’re on the subject, beginning-to-get-stinky feet smell like Fritos. Dogs’ feet smell like that all the time. Mmmm… doggie feets… ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/49 "2014-01-06T21:58:42Z")
What are you doing smelling dogs’ feet? ---
**Author:** ![MsBatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@MsBatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsBatt)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/50 "2014-01-06T23:23:30Z")
Interesting, it’s only adult dogs’ feet that smell of Fritos. While they’re still puppies they don’t have that smell. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/51 "2014-01-07T02:20:33Z")
Rabbit farts smell like corn chips ---
**Author:** ![curious11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ac91a4/32.png) [@curious11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curious11)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/54 "2014-11-10T19:31:05Z")
I had a similar issue and realized that if I disinfected behind my ears, I would re-infect when I put on my sunglasses. The only way I was successful in permanently getting rid of the smell was to wipe behind my ears with alchohol wipes and at the same time wipe down my ear pads of my over-ear headphones, and the arms of my eye glasses. Since then the smell has “gone away.” (I conducted an experiment where I was curious about the stinky feet smell and had a theroy that the smell was bacterial in nature. If that was true, then I could transfer the bacteria, and smell, to behind my right ear. Turns out I was right. Of course then my right ear smelled of stinky feet. Good news, I was right! Bad news, my right ear has a stinky feet oder!) ---
**Author:** ![bobalazs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@bobalazs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobalazs)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2014, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/55 "2014-11-10T20:17:23Z")
I have the same problem as the poster, that cheesy smell comes on an hour after showering. My solution, though temporary, is to put antiperspirant (the one you use for armpits) on it. It lasts for hours without any after effects. ---
**Author:** ![BaldDudePeekskill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@BaldDudePeekskill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaldDudePeekskill)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/56 "2014-11-11T18:48:01Z")
Does the OP wear Earrings? I noticed a gross smell from the buildup of sebum and shaving cream, etc., on the posts of my earrings. Cleaned them in alcohol and the smell disappeared. ---
**Author:** ![Shiggity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@Shiggity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiggity)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/57 "2015-06-07T22:06:57Z")
Straight Dope message board: 99 and 44/100% joke answers. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/58 "2015-06-07T22:12:21Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Are you sure that is really soap you are using? Block Velveeta cheese can easily be confused with some types of fancy soap and will cause that problem. You owe me a new keyboard and a fresh Diet Coke. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2015, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/59 "2015-06-07T22:23:04Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > Rabbit farts smell like corn chips Rabbit farts. I am laughing uncontrollably. I am assuming you know this first-hand. I am just wondering how one knows how rabbit farts differ from Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and General Mills Cheerios. Fighting Ignorance and all that. (Pretty soon Google will index “rabbit farts”, then this planet will vaporize in a cloud of flaming death). ---
**Author:** ![OffByOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/45deac/32.png) [@OffByOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OffByOne)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2015, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/60 "2015-06-08T13:29:18Z")
WARNING: TMI! I had a sebaceous cyst behind my left ear for a while, a hemispherical nodule about an inch in diameter. I got into the habit of rubbing it and smelling my fingers. (Yes, some of us have disgusting habits. Get over it.) One day while rubbing it, I was assaulted by a fierce stench, easily a hundred times worse than the smell I was used to. Somehow, the thing had sprung a leak! Over the next few days, I managed to drain the thing into copious amounts of tissues. The area is now flat, but when I rub the general area now, I can still smell it on my fingers. The right side of my neck behind the ear does not have the same odor. A few years later, I noticed another cyst on the back of my left shoulder, just far enough back that I could barely reach it. One morning after my shower, I was fiddling with it, watching myself in the mirror. I gave it an exploratory squeeze and was rewarded (?) with the sight of a thin stream of pus flying through the air like Silly String ™. After cleaning off the mirror, counter, and lavatory, I drained the pus by squeezing it into a tissue over the next few days. Both spots still retain the odor. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/61 "2015-06-09T01:17:47Z")
**Shiggity** , let me get this straight. You registered in SD in 11/21, and on the first day you joined this thread–your first post?–to threadshit: > [@Shiggity](#): > > I like how I have to wade through pages of stupid jokes to get a real answer. It’s like the Where’s Waldo of crap. And you resurrect it after seven months to threadshit again? > [@Shiggity](#): > > Straight Dope message board: 99 and 44/100% joke answers. Why are we so lucky? ---
**Author:** ![sich\_hinaufwinden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@sich\_hinaufwinden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sich_hinaufwinden)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2015, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895/62 "2015-06-09T03:40:44Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > **Shiggity** , let me get this straight. You registered in SD in 11/21, and on the first day you joined this thread–your first post?–to threadshit: > > And you resurrect it after seven months to threadshit again? > Why are we so lucky? I noticed that as well but your time frame is way off. His first post in 2011 was 3-1/2 years ago - not 7 months ago. ETA: Oh - I see what you meant. I think it it’s weird he came back to the thread after more than 3 years, even though it’s only been 7 months since anyone else posted. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-smell-like-swiss-cheese-behind-my-ears/589895.md?page=4)