Children’s growth and development are natural factors, but they often raise many questions for parents due to certain phases. Sometimes we come across minor issues like childhood underarm odor, which may seem harmless and unimportant, but it’s good to address it to avoid bigger problems in the future.

As a child approaches puberty, it’s normal for some signs to appear beforehand, since this type of phase doesn’t start or end overnight, but happens through gradual changes1. One of these signs can be the development of the sweat glands2, which produce sweat and cause unpleasant odor both in the armpits and other parts of the body. That said, it’s also important to highlight that childhood underarm odor is not normal, as these glands are not yet well developed.

That’s why it’s necessary to pay attention and check if there’s any issue causing the child to sweat so early, and to seek a specialist for the proper treatment.

Causes of Childhood Underarm Odor

There are various factors that can contribute to unpleasant odor even in children. Although these factors can vary and have very simple or more complex solutions, it’s not possible to make a diagnosis as to whether your child has a disorder or disease causing this odor.

For that, a visit to the doctor is necessary. Some of the main causes of childhood underarm odor are:

  • Foods;
  • Hormones;
  • Diabetes;
  • Bacteria;
  • Hyperhidrosis

Let’s discuss more deeply how each of these factors can cause unpleasant odor in children.

Foods

A child’s underarm odor may arise from the excessive consumption of certain foods, like garlic and onion, for example, which stimulate a large amount of sweat, even in those whose sweat glands are not yet fully developed. Some foods containing hormones, such as meats, can also influence childhood underarm odor.

Hormones

As we mentioned at the beginning, hormones are mainly responsible for changes in our bodies during the transition from childhood to adulthood. A hormonal imbalance can make a child produce more underarm odor than usual.

If the child is very young, this may be a sign of precocious puberty and a doctor should be consulted so appropriate treatment can be provided.

Diabetes

Children with diabetes are more likely to have a stronger underarm odor than others. This happens because the child’s body is often unable to digest carbohydrates well and convert them into fat, which results in ketones, giving a different smell to the child’s sweat.

Although the odor itself is not a problem, it’s important that diabetes is properly managed to prevent the child from developing other problems and to ensure a healthy life.

Bacteria

Sweat often causes a bad odor when it comes into contact with bacteria present on our bodies. This means that, even in children, this unpleasant odor can appear depending on the child’s level of hygiene.

In practice, this means that the dirtier the child is, the stronger their underarm sweat odor will be. The good news is that with proper hygiene, this problem is easily resolved.

Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis3 happens when the sweat glands are overactive, in other words, they work much more than normal and therefore produce more sweat. Although it is rarer, it can also happen in children and be the cause of childhood underarm odor.

Since there is no exact known cause for hyperhidrosis (although it is known to occur in moments of tension, nervousness, and anxiety), there is no specific treatment.

How to Prevent Childhood Underarm Odor?

There are some effective ways to prevent unpleasant odor in your child that are safe and gentle on their bodies. Some of them include:

  • Wearing Cotton Clothes;
  • Using Deodorants;
  • Using Baking Soda.

Wearing Cotton Clothes

This type of clothing allows the skin to breathe naturally and prevents sweat from being trapped, unlike some synthetic fabrics. This helps prevent unpleasant odor in children.

Using Deodorants

There are special deodorants for children that can help prevent bad odor, especially for those who, for some reason, produce more sweat than usual. Avoid adult deodorants, as they can irritate a child’s skin and create other problems instead of solving the first one.

Using Baking Soda

Another interesting option for preventing childhood underarm odor is using baking soda directly on the skin. It absorbs sweat and can help prevent bad odor.

How to Get Rid of Childhood Underarm Odor?

For children who regularly have this problem, it is important to consult a doctor to check for any hormonal disorders or diseases, such as the hyperhidrosis we mentioned before. But there are some actions parents can take to prevent the bad odor from appearing, even if the child has a condition.

Keeping your child clean and paying attention to how dirty they get can help a lot in these situations. Also pay attention to all the products your child is using, such as clothes, soaps, possible creams, and deodorants.

Childhood underarm odor is not uncommon, but it is also not something normal that should be ignored. It’s important to watch for possible issues that may be developing, like hormonal disorders, for example.

Also, make sure not to let your child leave the house with a bad odor, as this may affect them in many ways. Therefore, even though it isn’t as serious as a disease, childhood underarm odor must be taken seriously and treated in the best possible way so that it can be solved efficiently.

See Also: Childhood Migraine – What Now?
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