Childs Body Odour Problem?

Question

Can any body tell me why my daughter, who is only 7 has BO. I thought children did not get BO until they started puberty. She has had this problem for about a year.

She had a bath last night, but this morning when I cam down stairs I could smell her BO from the door of the room she was in. No one else in the family has this problem. My son is 9 and he does not have a BO problem. She showers every day, what could be causing it? I'm very concious that she may start getting teased at school.

Answer 1

hi!
I came across an article that might be helpful. Hope it is! it was a mom asking the very same question as you and it read:
is certainly a little unusual for an eight-year-old to have a noticeable body odour problem. At this age, the glands within the skin, which produce the secretions that are then broken down by bacteria to cause the odour, have not yet significantly been stimulated by secondary sex hormones.

Changes at puberty, however, which include hair growth under the arms and the increased activity of secretary glands within the skin, do bring about a stronger odour.

Your daughter may be undergoing a precocious puberty but there are other explanations too.

There is for example one rare condition commonly known as fish odour syndrome where the person concerned secretes a particular chemical known as methylmercaptopurine, which results from the relative deficiency of the enzyme necessary in the body to break down certain ingredients of normal foodstuffs. Without these enzymes this chemical accumulates in the body only to be excreted through the glands in the skin producing this noticeable odour.

The good news is that avoiding certain food can solve the problem.

Another possible explanation is that certain synthetic materials in clothing can react with sweat and cause an odour in their own right. Furthermore, some people, including children, are simply born with more sweat glands in a certain area than others and they need to take extra precaution in masking the resulting odour.

There is a treatment called Anhydrol forte, which contains aluminium chloride in a roll-on bottle that reduces sweating in the armpits, hands and feet when applied at night and washed off in the morning.

My advice would be to try thoroughly washing her clothes in hot water first to eliminate any residual smell, then using Anhydrol forte and if this fails, ask your daughter's doctor about arranging a referral to a dietician in order to be able to avoid the foodstuffs responsible - if fish odour syndrome is the cause.

take care....byee

Answer 2

The amount of hormones that are pumped into our food these days is ridiculous.
I think that for that very reason girls are starting puberty early.
Some 8 year olds already have their period!
I could be that your daughter might be an early starter.
I am sure that she will be just fine. Perhaps, it's time to discuss wearing a deodorant or anti perspirant with her.
You could also discuss this issue with her doctor if you are really worried but, I think she is just growing up a little earlier than expected. It happens and it will be OK.

Answer 3

Let's assume you are using a deodorant soap, that her bedding is changed regularly and that her clothes are regularly laundered. Also, I assume she is in good health with no liver or kidney disease.

There are several subtle inborn errors of metabolism that cause body odor. These are usually recessive genetic disorders, so there may not be much family history. Some of these disorders are serious, but others may be rather benign. Among these are persons with abnormal body odor as an isolated symptom.

The only way I know of diagnosing this is via urine chromatography, a rather expensive test.

Certain foods may be implicated in producing an odor. Among this group are foods high in choline, an essential ingredient in our diets. You might try giving your daughter Vitamin C. Please consult your doctor as to the dose.

Answer 4

It is very simple to get rid of BO by mixing a little amount of Neosprin Antibacterial Powder of Glaxo Smith Klien Pharmaceuticals product in daily use of talcum powder. One can bathe also daily with some anti bacterial bath soap. This is the right solution of BO because I did this one myself.

Answer 5

no at five she shouldn't be smelling of BO. Kids naturally sweat and that , as a child has its own smell. But it should not be smelling of adult / teenager BO. Don't use deodorant on her. I heard that its not good for children. I would contact your pediatrician to see what he says. Kids are starting to get there period sooner and sooner. I was reading an article about a 3 year old who started menstruating at 3! A few of my friends got their period at 8. I am 22 now. So just get everything checked out with your doctor.

Answer 6

Alot of BO is food related such as garlic etc...
Use some antiperspirant deoderant, regular showers. Is she washing her genitalia properly (many young kids don't). Some kids just smell and eventually they will do something about it (is she aware of the odour?). If you are really worried speak to the school nurse and he/she may have some good advice.
Chris- Registered Nurse

Answer 7

Could be bacteria. Normally BO comes from bacteria on the skin and sweat. Have you tried switching to antibacterial soap? If that doesn't work then you need to see a GP to ascertain the specific source as it could be internal.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

BO in her armpits? try using baking soda powder,just rub it into her pits...this thing work on my 5 year old cousin.. she's much younger than your daughter :)
or there are soaps nowadays that are specialized for BO's

Answer 9

Its perhaps that shes washing so often that its knocked the balance somehow. But i suggest taking her to the docs, she may be starting puberty earlier than usual

Answer 10

my daughter is 10 she suffers too. only warm bath or shower not hot dry armpits straight away, use rightguard mens straight after works for us