My piercing smells bad: is that normal? And what should I do about it?

Rédigé par : Naald Piercing | Dernière mise à jour : 24 May 25

Does your piercing give off a bad smell? Here's what you need to know.

Bad smell from piercing

Have you just noticed an unpleasant odor around your piercing ? Don't worry, you're far from alone. It's a common problem that can occur even long after it's healed. The important thing is to understand why it happens… and, more importantly, how to effectively fix it.

Note: some piercings are a bit more temperamental than others in this regard. Areas like the ears (lobe, tragus, helix , conch, etc.) , the navel , the nostril , and intimate piercings are often the most affected. Why? Because they tend to retain sebum and moisture more easily, or lack ventilation. As a result, bacteria thrive.

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Why does my piercing smell bad?

1. A cozy little nest for sebum and bacteria

Your skin naturally produces sebum (a kind of protective oil) and sheds dead skin cells every day. When you wear jewelry, especially in a hole as small as a piercing, these little bits can accumulate around the jewelry. The result? A not-so-glamorous little mix that ends up smelling… let's say, a bit like cheese for some. Nothing serious, but definitely not great.

And on certain areas like the navel or behind the ears, the accumulation is even more frequent, especially if you forget to dry thoroughly after showering.

2. Infrequent cleaning

Even if your piercing has been healed for a while, it still needs a little care. If you neglect cleaning it, residue (sebum, dust, pollution, etc.) can build up. And the longer it builds up, the stronger the smell will become.

Hidden piercings, such as those in the nose or intimate area, are often forgotten during daily cleaning — and it shows (literally).

How to get rid of it (easily)?

1. A good cleaning, quite simply

Clean your piercing twice a day with a sterile saline solution or a mild, pH-neutral soap. No need to scrub like crazy, just be gentle. And above all: avoid harsh disinfectants like alcohol or Betadine, which could cause irritation.

2. Also think about your jewelry

If your piercing is well healed, you can remove the jewelry from time to time to wash it with warm water and mild soap. Rinse, dry thoroughly, then put it back in clean. It makes all the difference.

3. Stop using cosmetics that are too similar

Perfumes, sprays, creams, or hairspray? Keep them away from your piercing. These products can clog pores, irritate the skin, and... aggravate the problem.

4. Use quality jewelry

A piece of jewelry made of ASTM F-136 titanium , for example, is the standard. Hypoallergenic, safe for the skin, zero unpleasant surprises. You gain in comfort… and you avoid a lot of problems.

Let customers speak for us

from 44 reviews
incroyable

piercing magnifique très bonne qualité

Anonyme
Ovidia
Ovidia
Parfait

Très beau bijou, simple et de la bonne taille. On a pas l'impression qu'il est trop petit ou justement trop voyant surtout pour un bijou à l'helix. La qualité est top

Anonyme
Aurea
Aurea
Super!

Super bijoux, très joli discret, beaucoup d’éclats. Aucune gêne au niveau de mon oreille, matériaux très adapté. Chloé est toujours aussi professionnel et toujours de bons conseils ,à l’écoute. Merci beaucoup je recommande +++

Joanne
Ovidia
Ovidia
Très bien

Parfait, facile à mettre et bonne qualité

Acheteuse
Siera
Siera
incroyable !!

Franchement, ce piercing est top ! J’ai la peau sensible et pourtant, aucun souci. Il ne me dérange pas du tout, super confortable à porter. On voit que c’est un produit de qualité. Je recommande à 100 %, surtout pour les personnes qui ont la peau réactive comme moi.

Anonyme
Lauréline
Lauréline
Très beau 🤩

Piercing de belle qualité. Discret, et élégant il convient parfaitement pour des hélix rapprochés ou des upper lobes. Ravie car le bijoux est conforme au descriptif, et réception rapide.

Marie M.
Aurora
Aurora
Une merveille

Simples, jolies et confortables, ma fille a enfin trouvé LA matière qui lui permet de porter des boucles d'oreilles. Je recommande vivement à toutes les personnes allergiques, je ne tarderai pas d'en recommander pour moi .
Merci Naald 🙂

Marilyn P.
Leony
Leony
je l’adore !

le piercing est incroyable , la qualité et top + la livraison a été super rapide .
je suis vraiment satisfaite je recommande sans hésiter

Anonyme
Belly-Treasure
Belly-Treasure
Adorable petite abeilles 🥰

Une fois de plus je ss conquise par vos bijoux,leurs qualités et la finesse de la petite abeilles 🥰
Je vous recommande à 1000%
J'adore votre petit mot de remerciements que vous glissez dans le colis.
A très bientôt pour de nouvelles commandes !

Ingrid P.
SweetSting
SweetSting
Impeccable!

Commande facile et envoi ultra rapide dans un joli pochon. Pas encore mis le piercing car je garde encore quelque temps le premier pour la cicatrisation, mais hâte de voir le rendu car il correspond exactement à ce que je cherchais et le fait qu'il soit en titane est parfait.

Muriel V.
Trinity
Trinity
Super!

Premier changement de bijou depuis mon piercing, je cherchais un bijou de qualité répondant aux normes en vigueur. Il est parfait, aucune réaction allergique ou autre, et il est vraiment beau ! Merci !

Mélanie
Trinity
Trinity
Parfait!

Super joli bijou, de qualité et qui correspond parfaitement à la description.

Mélanie
Dyva
Dyva
Super !

Très satisfaite de mon piercing et j’ai surtout acheté pour la qualité du titane qui n’est pas nocif.
Envoi soigné, tout était parfait

Cécile M.
Dyva
Dyva
Parfait

Tout à fait conforme à ce qu'on attend

Damont
Astralis
Astralis
Piercing Koïra doré

Je suis absolument ravie de mon nouveau piercing il est magnifique et de très bonne qualité!

S.V.
Koïra
Koïra

And what if the smell persists despite everything?

You're doing everything right, but it still smells bad? Or are you noticing any other strange signs? In that case, don't panic, but don't delay either: go see your piercer. If they know their stuff, they'll be able to guide you and help. It's better to get a proper diagnosis than to let the situation worsen.

In summary

It's not uncommon for your piercing to smell a bit like cheese. It could be due to a lack of cleaning, improperly rinsed jewelry, or simply a natural buildup of sebum. Nothing to worry about as long as you don't have any other symptoms. A good cleaning, quality jewelry, and a little regularity... and everything will be fine.

And if you still have doubts, Naald (or your piercer) is always there to guide you. No judgment, just solutions.

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Customers rate us 5.0/5 based on 44 reviews.