My 16 mth old son has a bad underarm odor?

Question

My 16 mth old is a very active little boy and sweats alot, the fact that we live in a tropical island doesn't help either. Anyway we discovered that his underarm had a very high smelling odor does anyone know what i could do to prevent it or explain to me how is that possible he's a baby.

Answer 1

Just put a little deodorant or baby powder under his arms. Some babies have strong odors already this young.

Answer 2

ANSWER
May 29, 2001


Dear Concerned Mom,
There is a medical term for what you are describing: bromhidrosis. Translating from the Greek, it means "smelly sweat." In a young child who is healthy and thriving in every way, a strong sweaty smell that occurs only after strenuous activity probably has no medical significance.

The body has two sorts of sweat glands, one (the eccrine glands) are present throughout life. The other (apocrine glands) develop in response to hormone stimulation during puberty. The latter (apocrine) glands are the smellier ones, which is why adolescents have more body odor than younger children. But the sweat from eccrine glands can smell, too, if there is enough of it and if it sits on the skin long enough for bacteria to break it down into smelly chemicals.

If you're concerned, you might have your son's doctor check him over for any other signs of hormone imbalance, such as underarm or facial hair or acne. One book I consulted suggested that diabetes might cause smelly sweat. It's clearly a long shot, but there is little harm in getting a simple urine test for sugar, if you are concerned (for example, if there is a family history of diabetes, or if your son has other suggestive symptoms).

Otherwise, you can (1) ignore the odor, and give your son a bath and a clean shirt after he plays outside, (2) have your son wash with an anti-bacterial soap, and (3) consider applying a mild deodorant on hot days.
— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Answer 3

Is it a chronic problem or does it go away with soap and water? Sometimes babies can get a white cheesy substance in there that smells bad. You have to remember to clean there during bathtime. If it's a chronic problem, I would see a doctor.

Answer 4

bathe him daily and put clean clothes on daily

babies arent able to smell like that deodorant is too harsh for their skin lotions and powders designed for babies is plenty and talk to the childs doctor

Answer 5

do NOT put dedorant on him. Remember to bathe him every morning and night. you can keep a washcloth with you and when he sweats, wipe it off. Use baby lotion.
dedorant can cause skin infections on young children

Answer 6

your baby should not have odor he is not old enough to have the hormones that cause body odor you should talk to your pediatrician