Why do piercings smell?

Answer 1

Lymphatic discharge, the whitish shmutz that you find on the jewellery as you are cleaning it. This is a never ending discharge that the body generates to lubricate the tissue in the piercing. Aftercare is a daily process and must be done to prevent this from building up and creating that "scent" that is less than pleasing. Washing the piercings with a good liquid antibacterial soap like "Softsoap" and cleaning the jewellery daily will cut this discharge down and with it the smell that goes along with the discharge. Be sure to dilute the soap with a little water so it's easier to rinse off and out of the piercing.