Please help and let me know what to do....(going to the Dr. next week to seek advice also but you guys have never let me down) My 4 year daughter has body odor. I noticed a while back but just thought it was because she had been playing outside in the dirt and it was the "dirt and outside" smell I was smelling. This week, I was helping her take off her shirt to take a bath and noticed under her arms and her shirt smelled like a man that had been working outside in 90 degree heat all day. I didn't want to make a big deal about it so I gave her a bath and washed her extra good. (I always wash her, she plays like she is cleaning herself, but only after I have given her a full cleaning) The next day I dressed her in just a T-shirt to go to school and checked that night at bath time and the same thing. I wanted to cry, I have never heard of a 4 year old needing to wear deoderant. Do you think this a health problem of some sort or just me overreaccting? As stated before I am going to take her to the doctor next week for her 4 year old check up and will bring it up to him....any advice will help
I'm not a dr but it sounds like she might have a problem with her thyroid possibly. That would be the only thing I can think of.
Hi Patty-
In my quick research, I see that you are smart to be concerned and mention this to your Doctor. While I am sure that you have already looked online for answers, here is what I found: http://ezinearticles.com/?Child-Body-Odor:-Causes-and-Cur....
The bottom line? Mention it to your Doctor but try not to worry too much. If there is anything else going on, early detection is the key.
I hope that this helps! Good luck.
N.
Definitely talk to the doctor. This isn't the average age for this to happen even with early development due to milk products.
my daughter started having body odor under her arms at 5-6 yrs and I was shocked. I don't know what causes it, but it is not constant, so I don't know what exactly causes it. My mom was shocked when i told her. I have heard of these things being caused by the hormones in milk. Early signs of puberty like breast development, weight gain, menstrual cycles and b/o have been found in young adolescent girls from drinking milk that have high amounts of hormones in them. You can buy soy or hormone free milk, but it isn't cheap (sometimes 6.99 a gallon I've seen). I don't know if that's what is causing your daughters b/o but since i haven't been giving my daughter that milk it seems to have helped big time. She actually wore deoderant in kindergarten!!
Don't switch to soy..the extra estrogen in it can cause early puberty too. Get rid of the dairy (cheese, cream cheese, etc) and go to rice or almond milk, it is definitely something she is eating a lot of, sometimes wheat and excess sugar in the diet is a culprit too. Go get her tested for food allergies and food intolerances, many peds will over look food being an issue with the body, but when we eat the wrong foods, it will cause a different reaction in the body...headaches, body odor, etc. Good luck
Hi Patty
I worked for a pediatrician for 8 years and a family doctor for 6. I've heard them both recommend a body powder (such as shower to shower) to help keep them cool and even a mild deodorant. Children play hard! As a mom of 2 children, I apply the powder everyday and it does make a difference. In the summer or when I notice the scent more profoundly, I apply a mild deodorant. It works! Also, increase her water intake. I'm a licensed home daycare provider and I've noticed this with some of the children your daughters' age and younger especially after playing outside or even inside. My son is 4 1/2 years old and i apply powder to his underarms and body after his daily bath.
Hope this helps.
Good luck!
B.
sometimes it could be what she's eating (spicey food?) i startred deoderant when i was around 8 or 9...
Patty,
honestly, i think it could be some sort of imbalance (metabolic, hormonal). It's not typical for a 4 yr old to have excessive body odor. is it *just* under her arms or is it in other areas? how long has this been happening?
IMHO, unless she is consuming very large quantities of red meat, and hormone laden milk by the gallon, it's pretty unlikely that she's seeing food related pre-pubescent problems at 4. Unless you are also seeing breast buds forming and hair darkening under her arms, on her legs and in the pubic areas,...i wouldn't go switching everything you're already doing. If nothing has changed, but this is new, then it's not likely to be in your routine.
I really hope your daughter is going to be ok. please let us know what the doc says.
Good luck, god bless and [[hugs]] mama...
