Good morning, I need some advice, please. I have a 6 year old son who has developed a smelly scalp. It smells like dirty hair. I dont know if anybody has experienced this in their child. He takes a bath every single day, after playtime and at night. He does sweat a lot and is very active. We shave his head every couple weeks. He has dark thick hair thats grows really fast. I shampoo and condition his hair and leave it on for at least 5 minutes. I scrub and rub his scalp with the shampoo but it doesnt get rid of the smell. I have done everything. Fresh linens every day, vacuum and dust their room every day, trying to figure what it is. Have any of you moms experienced this? How did you solve it or at least what else did you try?
As a side note, his dad is more concerned about this. I know my kid is clean and I do everything possible to keep both my boys spic and span but their dad is driving me nuts with this.....
I have a smelly scalp too, apparently, b/c who, after all can smell their own scalp. Only, mine smells nice. Like sugar cookies baking. It has nothing to do with my shampoo or conditioner. When I sweat, or go a few days without washing, it smells even nicer.
All 3 of my older kids have it. Totally smells like their head is dirty. they take showers at night, mainly because getting 3 preteens to shower in the morning...yeah-anyway their head smells dirty in the morning. I did ask the doc about it and it is from sweat as they do not have any health issues. All their tests come up fine each year and my son gets extra tests due to a bleeind disorder. It does not matter how short the hair is. It is from the scalp. You can try using tea tree shampoo or add a little vinegar to the shampoo. I have not tried the vinegar yet but it was suggested.
He sweats in his head but the problem is in his kidneys. My daughter had a subacute kidney infection when she was 14 years old. She stank even a few hours after a shower.
I am a trained homeopath and I cured it with homeopathy. In Southern California there are many good homeopaths. Find one you trust and use her/him for your basic health needs both uncomplicated and serious.
Elizabeth the Queen Mother lived to 102 because Marjorie Blackie was her homeopath.
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He sweats in his head but the problem is in his kidneys. My daughter had a subacute kidney infection when she was 14 years old. She stank even a few hours after a shower.
I am a trained homeopath and I cured it with homeopathy. In Southern California there are many good homeopaths. Find one you trust and use her/him for your basic health needs both uncomplicated and serious.
Elizabeth the Queen Mother lived to 102 because Marjorie Blackie was her homeopath.
Little boys are very smelly little creatures. I should know. I have a son and have been around a jillion little boys. Their little heads stink when they get sweaty.
You're doing everything right. You're keeping him plenty clean. I just wonder if his scalp is producing more oils as a result of you washing his head twice a day.
I know your son is only 6, but Old Spice makes some of the best smelling body washes and shampoos. It smells so clean. My son always took a shower at night and used it and still smelled great in the morning. I've even used it. It's not harsh or overdrying and like I said, it just smells clean. My son has fine, blonde hair, but lots of it. We keep his hair short too.
Try using a different product.
Try maybe only washing his head once a day.
It's worth a try.
Best wishes.
I have to agree with the those who have suggested a check up with the pediatrician. That is always a good idea when there is a symptom you can't find a cause for.
I know there are some medicated shampoos that treat fungal infections on the scalp. One is Head and Shoulders Clinical Strength or Inensive Treatment. There are also tea tree shampoos that help with that too. They are sold over the counter, so you can get them easily. It is possible that a fungal infection could be the problem and you wouldn't know it.
Still, I would take him to the doctor and ask. A barber might be another one you could ask if the doctor says he's fine internally.
Good luck!
Is it noticeable to anyone else? Or do you just smell it because he is your kid?
I think, sweaty boys, get smelly heads, and little boys are sweaty everyday.
When my son is sweaty, (which does not take much), his head sweats, and then he smells like a wet puppy. My son has very thick hair too, that grows fast.
But once he is washed, he's fine.
Maybe ask you Pediatrician?
If it is his scalp being smelly... does shaving his head make the smell go away? If not, then why shave his head?
Try clarifying shampoo made for oily hair and skip the conditioner! I use Aussie brand, but I have also used Tresemme and was happy with it as well!
My son has the same issue, I had to wash his hair and use nails (like scrub the shampoo into his scalp), lightly mind you, the shampoo was just not removing the dead skin, it was only cleaning his hair.
i second the fact the this might be a medical issue.
Also, i would NOTuse conditioner, especially if you are buzzing him. that is just putting more oils on there
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Have you asked your pediatriation (hope spelled right) they may have special shampoo you can use
My daughter has this too, since she was a few months old. If I used regular shampoo on her, her head would stink. It was different thought, she was just a baby when it started. I switched baby washes from Johnson's to hurts bees and it got better but still gross. Tried something called California baby, with tea tree oil in it and her scalp got MUCH better. Now I just use normal shampoo on her and its fine.
You mentioned he takes a bath after playtime and at night -- so he's getting his hair washed twice? That seems excessive to me. I have really oily hair and everything I've ever read says the more you wash your hair, the more it dries out and the more oil your scalp produces (hence the smell). I'd limit it to one hair washing a day if you're currently doing more than that. It might get worse before it gets better for a week or so while his skin adjusts but then he should be producing less oil. If that doesn't work, perhaps consult your pediatrician to see what he thinks. Good luck!
This is a good question, Because my husband has this, and he has a high and tight hair cut so it cant be hes hair, its hes head. it smells very much like amonia, nasty! any where he lays hes head stinks.. he says he dont notice it.. I quess you dont smell your own stink. Hes a very clean person-- Its just hes head.
I would definitely ask your pediatrician about it since it could be an indicator for a number of medical conditions. That said, if he's perfectly healthy, you can try adding a tsp of baking soda to the shampoo. It helps to get rid of shampoo and skin buildup and leaves the scalp squeaky clean. If his hair is really oily you can also use tea tree oil shampoo. I have oily hair AND dandruff, so I frequently use baking soda to really get it clean... especially in the summer.
Try Tea Tree oil. It is a great scalp treatment
As someone also noted below, try skipping the conditioner...
