Doctors have issued a warning about a small, easy-to-miss body part that’s become a hidden hotspot for bacteria.
According to dermatologists and family physicians, the body part most people are skipping in the shower is behind the ears.
Dr. Roger Kapoor, a dermatologist and senior VP at Beloit Memorial Hospital, says it’s one of the most overlooked areas, yet one of the dirtiest.
“As often as you wash other parts of your body, I would add behind the ears to the list of parts to clean,” he advised.
Dirt, dead skin cells, and oil (sebum) naturally accumulate in skin creases, and the folds behind the ears are no exception. This buildup gets worse in the summer when people apply sunscreen or lotions and fail to wash them off properly.
"Failing to clean that area can lead to several issues, including bacterial infections, skin irritation, and a greasy odor.
“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,” Dr. Kapoor added.
Neglecting this area can also lead to all sorts of unpleasant outcomes - bacterial infections, skin irritation, and even a greasy smell.
In more serious cases, a condition known as seborrheic dermatitis, or ear eczema, can develop. This causes flaky, itchy patches in areas with high oil production, including behind the ears.
And if you're unsure whether you've cleaned there recently, Dr. Jen Caudle, a U.S.-based family physician, has a simple test: “If you do this, you rub your ear, you rub somewhere, and you smell it and it’s gross, you haven’t washed it recently."
Dr. Caudle also highlighted other hygiene blind spots in daily routines, specifically the belly button, fingernails, legs, and toes.
“Fingernails should be kept short, and the undersides should be cleaned frequently with soap and water,” she noted. “Longer fingernails can harbor more dirt and bacteria than short nails.”
As for whether shampoo gets the job done behind the ears? Not quite, says Dr. Kapoor. While hair products may help break down oil and bacteria, they rinse off too quickly to truly clean the area.
The key is direct scrubbing with gentle soap and drying the area thoroughly afterward. He also recommends cleaning the arms of eyeglasses regularly, as they can carry bacteria to that sensitive skin.