Body Odor on 5 Yr Old

Updated on February 23, 2009
K.P. asks from Denver, CO
13 answers

We received a phone call this afternoon from our 5 year olds kindergarten teacher. She told us our 5 year old daughter has some body odor issues and other children at school have noticed. She said she knows the child is clean because she has smelled her hair and clothes and they smell clean, so she thinks it must be a high phc or something. I am just not sure what to do about a young child have BO. I am totally shocked since I have never noticed this on her before, but I know she had a bath and I washed her hair last night before bed. Has anyone else had any issues with a young child having being clean but still having body odor? I think she is too young for deodorant, but need to find some way to help her before she gets her feelings hurt by someone saying something about it to her. I also don't want to see her alienated from her friends and classmates due to something she may not have any control over. We need to do something though, the teacher said this has been an issue all year with her. Thanks for any advise!

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

I would take her to see a dermotologist who better understands the skin what it produces and how to help her.
It could be something she is eating secreting from her skin, it could be she has over active sweat glands, who knows but a dermotologist can give the best insight and solutions I am thinking.
I notice that if the boys I watch which range from 3 to 12 are playing in a room sometimes there is a BOY odor in the room if the window is shut in the playroom. I think it is more from foot odor maybe then anything and maybe have that checked out.
Hugs, I know kids start needing more hygenine type care and products as they get older and I am not sure what that age is. Why is the teacher just now saying something if it has been an issue all year?

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D.C.

answers from Boise on

Hi,although we just had my niece start wearing deoderant and a little childrens body spray, she is nine we have been doing this for about two years now. I know that there is a natural thing with charcoal although not sure how it works. also you can try to just have her put some baby powder in places that would get smelly. hope this helps.

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N.P.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Another option may be to look at the amount of meat she is eating. Try to limit it and add more fruits and veggies. It is suggested that one day per week should be a vegetarian day. But maybe this is not the issue. Just thought I would throw that out there.

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B.D.

answers from Boise on

I just want to mention that our granddaughter had this issue and when they took her to the Dr. they found that she had elevated hormone levels. Like those of a 13-14 year old. The Dr. took her off all beef and dairy. I don't know much else. But the Dr. said body odor was one of the symptoms.

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S.L.

answers from Pueblo on

I guess that you could dust her with some baking soda under her arms and other places that she might perspire. I think that all kindergarten children smell after being outside on the playground. They smell like wet puppies. Outside of speaking with your doctor... I don't know what else to say.

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K.O.

answers from Fort Collins on

There was just another question on this same topic of body odor with a young child, on Wednesday, from another mom. I have the same problem that I have posted about a month ago. First with my daughter when she was between 5 and 6 and still now that she is 8. I have not been able to find an answer. Now just a few weeks ago, my 6 year old developed the same problem. I have been trying to figure it out for the past few years with no one having an answer. I don't want to spend thousands of dollars for medical tests, because everything else about them is very healthy. I don't know if it is some new allergy or what. But all of a sudden, I am hearing of other moms with there young ones having this problem as well. I wish I had advice for you, but all I can say is, please keep in touch and maybe us three moms can come up with something. I have researched it online in the past and still no answers but maybe it is time to start searching again. For both of my young daughters to have it now is quite strange to me and would love to find out what the cause is so we can come up with a solution!!!! It's just not the way it should be. So I will keep your request on file and let you know if I can come up with any clues! Thanks for sharing!

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P.H.

answers from Colorado Springs on

A remedy is in order for now, but I'd also phone the pediatrician. Many health disorders can cause body odor, and I think in a child that young, I'd want to get that checked out.

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J.P.

answers from Denver on

Body odor is usually caused by a hormonal change or by an overworked liver. Does your daughter have allergies? Things to look for include a constant stuffy nose, large black and or puffy circle under her eyes, not having a bowel movement every day, hives, rashes, eczema, or ADHD like behavior, etc. If allergies go untreated they put a lot of stress on the liver and it cannot do it's job of cleaning out the body. The body will start to dump toxins out of the skin and this is where the BO comes from. Not sure if this is the problem, but I thought it might be worth looking into. Both my kids have bad allergies and I've become somewhat of an amateur expert--if you notice these signs and have more questions I'd be happy to answer them!
Good luck
J.

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J.L.

answers from Boise on

Hi! My 5 year old daughter has the same issue. I thought it was just from playing hard with her brothers, but even at times when she isnt, i noticed she has under-arm body odor. I was like you and didn't know what to do. I heard another mother talking about her 4 yr old boy with the same thing and she just started using deoderant. i talked to our pediatrician about this and he just told me when she is takkng a bath to get soap her under arms and let it sit for a little bit. That helped a little but I decided to use deoderant on her. I just tell her it helps mommy smell fresh all day long. She giggles when i put it on her. Now my 3 year old wants to be like mommy and sister. So we all put on deoderant. Kids can be really mean and i don't want her to experience rude comments from other kids.

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S.S.

answers from Provo on

I started getting body odor at 8. It was really embarrassing, and made me self-conscious. I also sweat really badly, and that only made things worse. I just used deodorant back then. Now they have salt deodorant with no chemicals- in your local health food store, Kangen water (lowers the body pH), less processed foods and more fresh veggies and fruits. Have her drink more water than milk or juice to flush her body of toxins. Good luck!

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R.S.

answers from Denver on

I would bring her to the dr. to rule out anything that may cause odor. She is really young I would think to have problems with BO.

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M.O.

answers from Denver on

There are some of us who sweat more than others. It is life. My girl is 6 and has been using my deodorant and body sprays since she was 4. Not because she was stinky but she didn't want to be stinky. As crazy as it may be girls seem to be maturing faster and faster. They can be very mean to one another even at 5 and 6. They hear things from older brothers and sisters and the kids at school. So whether we like it or not we have to help them and teach them things that we didn't know until we were much older. I work with 7th & 8th graders who look and act like seniors in high school. So be genltle and have fun with all the 'yummy' scents that are out there for the young girls. Remember, it only gets tougher as the years go on. Good luck and take care, M.

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