When’s the last time you disinfected your earrings?

Discover dermatologist advice on how often to clean earringsand, most importantly, how to do it properly.

to jewelry cleaning tips (like how to disinfect earrings like a pro).

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Aside from that dead tissue beginning to look goopy (gross!

), any build-up you experience from not practicing proper earring cleanliness could result in worse issues.

This can lead to irritation, inflammation, andin some caseseven skin infections.

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director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital

(If youve ever asked yourself Why do earrings smell?

this might be one reason why.)

Any visible buildup of debris around the earring should be removed and cleaned, says Dr. Zeichner.

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If you dont remove and clean earrings regularly, that stench will only get worse.

Thankfully, the process of how to disinfect earrings is fairly easy to integrate into your routine.

You just need some easy-to-follow jewelry cleaning tips to get you started.

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Ensure that youre removing any build-up on the post.

), it may be a good idea to give your skin a chance to breathe.

Thats where these jewelry maintenance tips come in handy.

Black hair woman wearing a grey and white bra giving herself a deep cleansing session with a face brush and Gatineau skincare face wash lotion, after her shower. Studio skincare portrait over isolated background.

director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital

In addition, dont put your earrings in until youve finished getting ready for the day.

Lastly, anytime you dont have your earrings in, dont just toss them on the counter.

Frequently asked questions

How regularly should you clean your earrings?

A curvy woman applying cleansing balms and smiling to her reflection in the mirror.

Why do my earrings smell?

With proper earring care and earring cleaning, its very easy to prevent this problem altogether.

Is it OK to leave earrings in all the time?

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A perfect time to do this is when practicing jewelry hygiene.

Learn how to clean earrings properly using the instructions above, then do so at least once a week.

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