First Signs of Puberty
Since body odor is linked to puberty, it’s important to determine if your child has started puberty already. Females typically start puberty between the ages of 8 and 13, while males usually start when they’re between 9 and 14 years old. Signs of puberty can include breast development, vocal changes, and pubic hair or underarm (axillary) hair. If you notice that any of these signs are starting too early (before age 8 in a girl and age 9 in a boy), talk to your pediatrician. Precocious (early) puberty can occur for no known reason, but other medical conditions might cause some of these changes. You can also ask your doctor to check for hyperhidrosis, the medical term for excessive sweating, which often begins in childhood.
Managing Body Odor
If your child hasn’t started puberty but has a strong body odor, it may because they sweat more than other kids, or have more of the bacteria that leads to stinkiness on their skin. There are ways you can help your child control odor beyond just using deodorant, though. For instance, it’s important to teach your child personal hygiene basics, including:
Bathing daily; Let them pick out soaps and other products they would like to use to encourage bathingShowering after sports or other sweat-inducing activitiesWashing all parts of the body, including the more smell-prone armpits, genitals, and feet, when bathing or showeringWearing clean underwear, socks, and clothes every dayChoosing loose-fitting, breathable clothing which isn’t occlusive and may help them sweat lessWatching their diet to see if something they eat, such as garlic, onions, or spicy food, may be causing or contributing to body odor
You might also change the brand of soap your child uses. A different soap may be more effective at managing odor.
Deodorants for Pre-Teens
If these tips don’t stop your child’s body odor, you may want to introduce your child to using deodorant. Products marketed for pre-teens or teens aren’t much different than those for adults, but kids often prefer a product made specifically for them. Degree, Tom’s of Maine, and Fresh Kidz all make deodorants for children. Many larger brands, like Secret and Ban, make brightly colored and scented deodorants for teens that can be used for younger kids too. If you want a natural (phthalate and paraben-free) option, Tom’s of Maine, Junior Varsity, and Fresh Kidz make them for kids. You can also buy your child a combination of deodorant and antiperspirant, which may be necessary if the child sweats a lot. While deodorant masks odor caused by sweat, antiperspirants uses ingredients—usually aluminum-based complexes—that stop wetness by blocking sweat glands. Some people are concerned about the aluminum content in antiperspirant, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer. The research at this time is insufficient, and more studies are needed to establish the degree of risk from using products containing aluminum on your skin. Aluminum salts are the only antiperspirant ingredient proven—and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—to control wetness.
A Word From Verywell
It’s certainly not unheard of for active prepubertal children, even those who practice good hygiene, to need to use deodorant. Since they’re a little younger than average to need deodorant, talk to your pediatrician if you have any concerns or if general hygiene tips alone don’t help.
