Anyone Have a Child That Needs Deorderant

Updated on September 25, 2008
C.B. asks from New Baltimore, MI
23 answers

My son is 6yrs old and my husband and I have just recently noticed that his underarms are getting stinky and it's not after he is running or playing or sweating. He takes a bath or showers everyday so I know that he is clean but I don't know if it's safe for him to use deoderant. I don't want to ignore it and have him get picked on by kids at school but I don't want to make him self conscious by having him put deoderant on either. Has anyone else gone thru this? I am looking for any kind of suggestions. I was not prepared for this so early-I thought I had a few more years.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.H.

answers from Detroit on

Wow.... C.,
I am not happy for you that you have to ask that question, but I WAS kinda happy to see it up here... Just LAST NIGHT I found out the same thing about my 7 year old daughter!!!
I couldn't believe it!
Talk about starting something early.
So even I am verrrry interested to see some responses here.
Would you post a 'what happened' later?
Thank you and good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.B.

answers from Detroit on

C.,

I have the exact same problem. My 6 year old son is starting to get musty under the arms. Yesterday was really bad because it was hot and he had gym at school. I am starting to put deodorant on him in the mornings. Not a lot but enough to keep odors at bay.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.M.

answers from Detroit on

Hi C.---I think I would make sure that he is washing under his arms properly, first. Soap should take care of the bacteria that cause odors.

If using a deodorant, be sure to use one that doesn't have aluminum in it. That is used primaarily as an antiperspirant, but excess aluminum in the body is seen in alzheimers patients and is also thought to be a potential problem for breast cancer.

I just 'googled' body deodorant remedies and this website came up, http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Body-odor.html. There is also a suggestion on foods to help prevent body odor. It's funny, I am a wellness educator and I give talks on the importance of good nutrition for good health and disease prevention. Of course it makes sense that a good diet would help the body to minimize bacterial growth, even on the surface of the skin. If you would like more information on how diet and lifestyle impact our health, please feel free to contact me.
In health, D. ###-###-####

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

I'd suggest using a deodorant and not an antiperspirant. That way you're not exposing him to Aluminum any sooner then he needs to be. ;)

My husband and I use the Arm and Hammer deodorant and it does well for both of us. It contains no Aluminum. There was a WONDERFUL Adidas Cotton Tech Deodorant that also helped keep you dry with cotton to absorb the moisture, I can't find the men's version anymore, but the women's is still out there. Here's a men's deodorant by them.
http://www.americarx.com/Products/2791.html

Best wishes

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.G.

answers from Detroit on

My daughter has been using antiperspirant since she was 5 years old. She had a distinct odor and definitely needed it. My ped. assured me that it was perfectly safe. Although, I would definitely use antiperspirant instead of deodorant. This will control the sweat as well as help with odor. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.W.

answers from Grand Rapids on

My nephew started to have an odor problem also very early, we used a baking soda powder and that seemed to do the trick. I hope this helps you.

E.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.D.

answers from Detroit on

Hi

I just found out about something called precocious puberty. It is early onset puberty (girls earlier than age 8 boys earlier than 9) It was on "The Doctors" show today. You can find out more by going to http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/sexual/precocious.html

Some of the symptoms are body odor, rapid growth, facial hair, pubic hair and underarm hair.

Even if the only symptom is body odor it can be a sign of other problems so I'd definitely contact his doctor to at least make sure it is nothing.

Good Luck
God Bless
K.

C.T.

answers from Detroit on

I know many young children as young as 2 and 3 that have to wear deorderent and it's okay, some kids just start to sweat early on in life. They make D/O for children because some are like that. I think Tussy is a kid brand and they have the cream kind and the roll on kind. Get it, show him how to use it, and let him know that it's ok that that he wears it, tellhim something like " he growing up and becoming a little man that might help his self esteem and make him start to be a " little man" :) Good Luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.J.

answers from Detroit on

you say he showers everyday, but do you help him? if not how can you be sure he is washing corectly. when my brother was younger he would "shower" everyday too but never use soap.
just a thought

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.C.

answers from Lansing on

I went in search of the Crystal all natural anti persperant, and actually found it in spray form! I use one spritz under each of my 6 year olds arms, problem solved!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.J.

answers from Detroit on

My two daughters have been using deodorant since about six.. I, too , was surprised. To avoid self-consciousness on their part, I just explained that these changes happen as your body grows up. Occasionally, I have heard concerns about the aluminum in deodorant, Initially, I did find a few that do not have it as an ingredient. I did find this at a regular store, such as Target. But it's in most of them. Alternately, you could find one with less in it, if this in even a concern for you. It's amazing and a little scary how quick their little bodies are developing these days. Best of Luck.......R..

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Detroit on

believe it or not my 4 year old has been wearing deodorant 4 6 months now. we used powder when we first noticed it,but we had to upgrade to dove unscented deodorant 4 sensitive skin. only 1 swipe is needed. i too asked around when this happened and its becoming more common. i honestly believe its the food we are putting in our bodies and all the stuff thats injected in our foods. because growing up we didnt deal with this until mid elementary school if that.hope this helps

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Detroit on

I don't use normal deodorant. I use a deodorant crystal and it works great. It's not an anti perspirant, so I sweat, but I don't smell. Perhaps he could use the crystal. It has no fragrance, doesn't contain any nasty chemicals that we don't want our children exposed to and might be fun for him to use, instead of a chore. They look like small, clear rocks. You can get them at any health food store and they cost about $6. I've been using the same one for about 5 years.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.C.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Dear C. B.,

Our granddaughter has lived with us most of her life and she had stinky arm pits at age 8 or 9 years. We had to use deodorant on her but there is a safe thing you can use. I believe the main ingredient is powdered alum. It is for sale in health food stores and is called a deodorant stone. You simply rub a wet one on clean underarms and it works on most people for at least 24 hours. If you go to a health food store and ask for a deodorant stone, they will show you where it is. It costs $2.99 plus tax at the one in our area and will last for a year or more of daily or nightly use if it is not dropped and broken. Your skin has to be wet to use it.

Hope this helps.

L. C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.R.

answers from Grand Rapids on

YES, My daughter is 5 and she needs it, one day I noticed she was very musty and ever since then she puts it on her self, I started her with the little "bonus" type when you buy one sometimes theres a sample of another kind attached, now she has her own regular size. I just tld her shes growing and now this is something she has to do sp she doesnt turn into a stinky girl, she never even questioned it. Good Luck!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Detroit on

If he's getting stinky pits, then address it. But I would highly encourage getting a natural remedy. I mean not your over processed, off any store shelf product. Try homeopathic or organic, because what is in the 'assembly line' products can go through the skin and affect the glands that are in that vicinity. Avoid anything with aluminum in it.

Or you can try corn starch to absorb the wetness.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.C.

answers from Detroit on

Well, I was alarmed when my 9 year started having B.O. - still think he's too young, but have let him start wearing the "natural" deoderant (Tom's makes one).

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C._.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Hello C.,

I agree with others, make sure he's using soap under his arms... my 8 year old tends to forget too... good luck! and if you need something, find one of the all natural /mineral-based ones at the healthfood store. too young to put any antiperspirants and other chemicals. oh, by the way I just thought of something.... you may need to CHANGE THE SOAP he's using. some soaps will do aggravate odor under the arms...

~Carmen~

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.L.

answers from Saginaw on

Stinky armpits is the bodies natural way of getting rid of toxins from the body. Try having him take a bath with 1 cup epsom salt and 1 cup soda. This will help draw out the toxins, and keep the armpits from being stinky. Do this once a week. Let me know how this works for him.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Detroit on

If you do decide to start him on deodorant, use an aluminum-free variety.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Detroit on

It is a good idea to make sure he is washing himself well. Using a NON antibacterial soap is best. My family and I use an organic soap that is very gentle. All aluminums in antiperspirants are not the same. I use an antiperspirant that has aluminum. However, the company that makes this product has an impecable reputation and I have faith in this company that they would not put an ingredient in the product, if it was harmfufl. Also, there are different means of processing alumunim, which many people are not aware of.

Hope this helps.

M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Detroit on

C., I have not dealt with it, but maybe you can rub a little Tea Tree oil under his arms and tell him it's lotion or something. Tea Tree is an antibacterial so it will reduce/ eliminate the scent without actually using deodorant or aluminum....just a thought, good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Detroit on

my daughter who is 7 uses the coconut teen spirit (we call it coconut!) I explained to her that it is just part of personal hygiene and mommy and daddy both do it. I was surprised about how early but everyoneis different. she also takes a shower every morning to wash under her arms and private areas. it all works out - I just have to remind her in the morning to brush her teeth and put coconut on :)

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches