We all know armpits stink, but we don’t expect it until puberty. It’s not actually uncommon for younger kids to have armpit smells. This smell is due to bacteria, sweat, and hormone changes. And as long as your child doesn’t have any other signs of puberty, and they’re under the age of eight, it’s not a concern.
Does body odor come with puberty?
Sweat and Body Odor
Perspiration, or sweat, comes from sweat glands that you’ve always had in your body. But thanks to puberty, these glands not only become more active than before, they also begin to secrete different chemicals into the sweat that has a stronger smelling odor.
Do kids get body odor before puberty?
When Should I Call the Doctor? Some kids develop body odor before the usual age of puberty. Talk to the doctor if your child has body odor and is younger than 7 or 8 years (for a girl) or 9 years (for a boy). The doctor can check for signs of puberty starting early, which sometimes needs treatment with medicine.
At what age does body odor change?
At about age 40, the body subtly changes the way omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids on the skin are degraded. These acids get exposed to the air and create a compound called “nonenal.” Nonenal most likely gets produced due to hormone imbalances. These imbalances occur as people age, resulting in more lipid acid.
Do smelly armpits mean puberty? – Related Questions
Why do I still smell after a shower?
“When somebody feels like they’re still smelly after the shower, typically it’s someone who is more prone to sweating, and may have a buildup of bacteria on the skin in conjunction with the sweat,” Marisa Garshick, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell-New York Presbyterian Medical Center, tells
What age should kids wear deodorant?
There’s no specific age for a child to start wearing deodorant or antiperspirant. Many start in their teens. Some start as soon as puberty starts to cause body odor, which can be as early 8 or 9 years old for some children.
Why do my armpits smell different all of a sudden?
Your armpits have an inherent odor that’s totally normal due to apocrine and eccrine glands. Everyone’s armpits smell different thanks to genetics, hormones, diet, and other factors. If your armpits suddenly smell especially foul it could be a sign of an infection that needs medical attention.
Is it normal for a 7 year old to have Bo?
Body odor usually is a sign of puberty
“Body odor signaling the start of puberty can start as early as age 7 for girls and age 9 for boys,” said Dr. Kathryn Schaus, a Marshfield Children’s pediatrician. If body odor starts before age 7-9 or smells strange, make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician.
Why does my 7 year old have BO?
Body odor in children mostly occurs as a result of poor hygiene but there are cases where kids with good hygiene have a smell to their sweat. Body odor is normal in kids starting early puberty. Some genetic metabolic diseases, like Trimethylaminuria (Fish Odor Syndrome), could also cause body odor in children.
Why do kids smell like onions?
Sweat itself doesn’t smell, but when the bacteria on your skin mix with your sweat, it causes an odor. Body odor can smell sweet, sour, tangy or like onions. The amount you sweat doesn’t necessarily impact your body odor. That’s why a person can have an unpleasant body odor but not be sweaty.
Do you need deodorant if you shower everyday?
Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and member of the board of advisors for Smart Style Today, says you should apply deodorant once a day, right after showering. “This is when it works the best, particularly before perspiring,” she explains.
Do 6 year olds need deodorant?
In general, though, it’s considered perfectly safe for young kids to use deodorant. “There isn’t an age requirement for wearing deodorant,” Trachtenberg says. “Using deodorant to control odor is a personal preference.” “There isn’t an age requirement for wearing deodorant.
Should you wear deodorant to bed?
But if your deodorant has antiperspirants in it, you should apply it at night. At night, your body temperature drops, which means you sweat less. When your sweat glands are less active, your sweat ducts may be able to better absorb the aluminum-based active ingredient in antiperspirant.
How do I stop my armpits from smelling without deodorant?
Alternative deodorant options
- Witch hazel. Witch hazel is a versatile ingredient to keep in your cupboard.
- Baking soda or cornstarch. These typical kitchen ingredients are used for more than just baking or cooking.
- Lemon juice.
- Rubbing alcohol.
- Apple cider vinegar.
- Coconut oil.
- Baking soda & coconut oil.
- Crystal deodorant.
Should you apply deodorant after showering?
The best thing is to try to cool down and stop sweating, then wash or wipe your armpits to remove sweat and bacteria. Then apply deodorant or antiperspirant to dry skin. If possible after exercising or sweating, take a shower and put on deodorant again after you’re completely dried.
Why should you not wear deodorant at night?
“Perspiration levels are not as high compared to daytime and usually the ‘deodorizing’ is most important during the daytime. While using it occasionally at bedtime is not harmful, use of deodorants around the clock may be an additional source of unnecessary irritation to the skin.”
How many swipes of deodorant should you use?
For those wondering, “How much deodorant should I put on?” We recommend 2-3 swipes under each arm for the best results. If you find that residue is transferring to your clothes, it’s likely that you’re applying too much.
What happens if you stop wearing deodorant?
When you stop using antiperspirant you will experience a substantial increase in growth of odor-causing bacteria in the underarm area. You may also feel additional moisture because your body is sweating, which is completely normal and natural.
Why is my body odor so strong suddenly?
Your environment, the things you eat, medications you take, shifts in hormone levels, or underlying disorders may all be behind a sudden change in body odor. Changes in body odor can be a normal part of development, such as when an adolescent is going through puberty.
Do Asians need deodorant?
The A allele is very common in East Asians, and as expected, most people in this population don’t need to use deodorant. And so they don’t use it—it’s estimated that only 7% of North East Asians regularly use deodorant.
What was used before deodorant?
Before the twentieth century, talcum powder—made of the mineral talc—was the main personal care product advertised to alleviate odorous feet, armpits, and general body perspiration. Talcum powder was sold as a general body freshener and deodorant, as it absorbed perspiration and moisture from skin and clothes.
