Doctor issues warning to wash body part that's often overlooked as it can lead to serious health issues
Topics: Health
Joe Yates
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Maridav
Topics: Health
A dermatologist has stressed that one part of our bodies often gets neglected in the shower, leading to a greasy pungent smell coming from it and potentially, some serious health issues.
Over the last 28 years I've finessed my showering game - shampooing my hair and using the excess foam to scrub my armpits and two other areas in need of a clean... I'm sure you know where I mean.
But apparently I've been doing it all wrong, and instead of stepping out of the shower squeaky clean, I'm actually exposing others to an abhorrent smell.
There's the debate around whether you need to go out of your way to clean the bottom of your feet - personally I don't, who's got the time? But that's not the area in which doctors Roger Kapoor and Anna Chacon are urging people not to overlook.
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Speaking to Parade, the dermatologists explained that dirt builds up behind our ears - and faster than you might think, according to Kapoor.
So, giving the back of your ears a quick scrub is advised.
Dr. Chacon said to the outlet: "As often as you wash other parts of your body, I would add behind the ears to the list of parts to clean."
With Dr. Kapoor explaining: "I always recommend people wash the skin behind their ears intentionally and specifically to get into the creases of where the ear meets your skin, as it can always trap grime."
In the summer, the dirt behind the back of your ears accumulate quickly due to factors like sun cream, and with summer being pretty much upon us - for the US and UK - you'll probably want to know how you can combat it.
Would shampoo do the trick? Apparently, it would.
Dr. Kapoor told the publication that shampoo contains ingredients to help break down oil and bacteria - although he did add that he wouldn't really wholly on shampoo.
Maybe try a little bit of face wash!
For glasses wearers, the doc advised that we should be cleaning the arms of our glasses frequently - at least I'm doing something right!
But if you fail to clean behind your ears often, it can actually lead to infections, which in some cases can eventually lead to more serious health conditions.
Kapoor told the outlet that the risk of irritating your skin is much higher if you don't clean your ears, as well as developing a bacterial infection - if any sustain any cuts in the area.
Another condition that can occur is ear eczema, an inflammatory condition where people develop flaky, white to yellowish scales in areas with high oil gland activity - so be sure to moisturize too!
Finally, as mentioned earlier, Kapoor added that the combination of both dirt and sweat can leave you with a greasy, oily smell.
So, if you don't want to smell... clean behind your ears!