You wash all the time, but you leave the biggest nest of bacteria

Daily hygiene is a routine habit that you perform automatically. But many people forget one place that needs to be washed thoroughly. This is a place where bacteria thrive.

Oh, those ears…

The area behind the ears is the most often overlooked during routine hygiene. Not surprisingly, few would think that this area could be full of harmful bacteria. Everyone probably remembers their childhood, as children were often taught that cleanliness around the ears was just as important as the rest of the body. However, adults are not normally dirty up to their ears, as the saying goes. At least not visibly.

In fact, the problem areas are always the folds of skin where sweat, sebum, dead skin cells and naturally peeling skin accumulate. All of these impurities together get trapped on the skin and create an environment for microbes to proliferate.

Home to harmful microbes

However, neglecting hygiene around the ears doesn’t pay off as it can lead to a number of skin problems. Not only does odour creep in, but also irritation, clogged pores and in worse cases, infection.

We are talking about seborrhoeic dermatitis, which causes white or yellow scales to form behind the ears and on the scalp. It is an inflammatory disease and is characterised by itching and scaling. The skin may subsequently crack, opening the way for harmful bacteria that cause infections.

The area may also gradually become sensitive, setting the stage for eczema to develop. Getting rid of it then may not be entirely easy. Experts warn that if you have pierced ears, you should pay even more attention to their daily hygiene.

Between the toes

But the ears are not the only area at risk. The same problem arises in the area between the toes. Even if you tell yourself that you routinely soak your entire feet, whether you’re in the shower or bath, this washing is not enough.

While this area doesn’t produce as much sebum as elsewhere on the body, it does accumulate other dirt and dead skin cells. As a result, fungal infections of the nails occur. The proliferating bacteria could cause athlete’s foot in particular, which is a fungal infection of the skin that commonly occurs between the toes. It also often develops bacterial dermatitis. Increased hygiene is strongly recommended for diabetics as they are more susceptible to infections.

A dimple in the navel

The third hygiene problem area is the belly button. Because it is made up of many folds, it offers an ideal environment for the accumulation of dead skin cells, sweat and fungi. Consequently, odor or staph and yeast infections arise, as experts state. You should wash this area at least every two days.