Doctor reveals 'often overlooked' body part that you MUST clean everyday, or risk serious health issue

Business Mayor

24-05-2025

Published: 15:00 BST, 23 May 2025 | Updated: 01:01 BST, 24 May 2025
A skin doctor has warned that forgetting to wash behind the ears could lead to eczema, nasty infections and even life-threatening sepsis.
According to Dr Roger Kapoor, a dermatologist at Beloit Health System in Wisconsin, this part of the body is rife for trapped dirt, oil and dead skin—yet people rarely think to clean it.
Bacteria 'stuck' in the crease can migrate to open wounds, such as ear piercings or scratches inside the ear, and trigger dangerous infections, he added.
'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,' he told Parade.
'It can always trap grime.'
In severe cases, these infections could spread to other parts of the body and enter the bloodstream.
While rare, this could lead to life-threatening sepsis—when the body attacks its own tissues, causing organs to gradually shut down.
Dr Kapoor also flagged the risk of eczema, an inflammatory condition that causes sufferers to develop flaky, scaly patches which are often itchy and look red.
Dirt, dry skin and oil can easily get trapped behind the ear and build up quickly and is likely to worsen in the hotter summer months with the combination of sunscreen and sweat
The build up of oil, dirt and sweat can create a moist environment for bacteria and fungus to thrive, which can cause or worsen eczema as well as general skin irritation.
Over time, the oil build-up can block pores, causing unsightly spots or acne breakouts.
The combination of dirts trapped behind your ear is also likely to leave you with a foul smell.
Dr Kapoor said while shampoo contains ingredients to help break down oil and bacteria, they are not the best option as it washes away when rinsing.
This means the cleansing substances don't have contact with the skin for long.
He advised using a gentle soap and scrubbing behind the ears with fingers to clean the area thoroughly.
The dermatologist also recommended washing the arms of glasses regularly as they rest behind the ears and can easily transfer bacteria to the skin.
It comes as a significant portion of Britons say they miss certain body parts during showers, like washing their feet (49 per cent) or toes (60 per cent), a 2020 survey by Plumbworld revealed.
One survey, conducted by YouGov in 2019, found only half of people in the UK shower every day, with one in four only opting for one every two days.
Nearly one in 20 Britons reported only shower once a week, and one in 100 once per month.