Is It Safe to Use Deodorant on a 7 Year Old?

Hi,

That's so funny because I also just discovered my son's, also 7, underarm smell. He has just started showering with deoderant soap and so far so good. I totally feel the same...I was so shocked that my precious baby boy smelled like a guy I wanted to cry!!!
Oh well, they have to grow up some time I guess.

Good Luck

Hand Sanitizer in the pits...Ouch! I do agree with the shower after a sports event. We don't wear deodarent to bed so he should be fine for a mellow day with no deodarent after his sports, til old enough for regular use.

I'm sorry I don't have an answer. I just wanted to let you know I have a very active 7 year old and she has stinky arm pits at times too. My sons didn't need deoderant until they were in 4th grade, 2nd seems too young to me. I'll keep watching to see what advice you get.

Hi S.,

There's some great reply's here, but one of them mentioned Talcum powder. While this was great while I was a kid and we powdered ourselves up to smell great, research now shows it being linked to cancer. To read more about it, you can go to the Cancer Prevention Coalition website at http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/cosmetics/talc.htm

I would definitely agree with others in the post that you should also take a good look at what he's eating, especially if his diet does contain an abundance of processed foods. Also make sure he is cleaning himself well when he bathes, and if you do take him to the doctor, be very careful because in my experience, they are just too happy to prescribe a med for anything. There are more children on prescription meds now than ever before, be very careful and I wish you well.

T.
www.sharethecause.com/T.
www.livetotalwellness.com/T.

I'm in agreement with Nicki and Patti. Look at the diet first and while you're waiting, perhaps the crystal or enzyme deoderant might help so there are no comments by teachers or peers. Switch to more fruits and veggies, less processed foods and sugar. AND supervise the baths so there is no corner-cutting going on.

All good suggestions.

there is a crystal type deoderant that you can get at the health food store. Wet it and apply, it is a salt type product but I have never felt it sting.

I use Kiss My Face deodorant. I buy it at Henry's and it works well.
good luck

My 5 year old asks to put some on if he sees me do it, says it makes his armpits soft. He has used the Trader Joe's brand of the Tom's deod. Whole Foods has a LARGE selection. I use the roll on rock(which is liquid) by KISS, there are different scents. This is by far my favorite deod since puberty. If his skin is sensitive try different ones out if he does not like Whole Foods will let you return and then just try another one.

You haven't really gotten an answer to your original question "is it safe". My 9 year old uses Dove only because the scent is mild and I don't really want him smelling like a man yet. When I googled this question, I couldn't really find any compelling information that it was unsafe for a child this age (unless he misuses it). If his odor doesn't bother him or his peers, he could wait a few more years.

I would try the crystal. It should not sting him. The fact that it is s rock might be fun for him and it really works for me and my family.
http://www.thecrystal.com/

Hi! I don't know how safe deodorant is for anyone at this point. You hear so many things. And of course, you are going to get responses of all types. In my experience (I have two "stinky" boys, ages 11 and 9) the Dove deodorants are very mild and work just fine. My 9 year old started wearing it when he was 7, because let's face it, they are very active and sweat alot! He has very sensitive skin but experienced no burning, etc. while using this product. I know Dove is marketed as a woman's deodorant, but if you get the non-scented kind, who cares as long as it's doing the job and doesn't irritate the skin, right? Hey, good luck with your little guy. Boys are a lot of work, but in the end, a great joy to raise!! Take care.

W. Jones

Good old fashioned talcum powder. I also used to use it in my son's shoes around the age of 8 because his feet stunk! Stay away from anti-perspirants. They clog the ducts. If you have to use anything, make sure it is only a deodorant. Good luck.

Hi S.,
My son started getting the sweaty kid smell (not b.o.) but still could smell him right at 8. I just have him use Dove with green tea and he his fine. He doesn't overload on it, just a wipe on each pit ! It seems now days that kids mature faster than back in my day in the 70' s and 80's. Good luck !

Kids are so different...I think first thing is you don't want to make him feel like this is a 'big deal'. My sister was SO young when she got her period and started 'blooming' and my Mom had such a hard time 'talking' to her about it. She was 10.

It could be so many things...people said diet could be a factor, but some kids just get stinky. My sister had to use Mitchum Deoderant when we were younger because Secret and such wouldn't work for her stink. We laugh about it now, but she felt alienated and like there was something wrong with her.

Take the time, to talk to him about finding a deoderant. Don't make it about his body changing, or anything that is TOO big a topic for him. He's 7 and if it is a body change, then maybe have his Dad get in on the choice of deoderants and such. Have Dad help him with the process too, and maybe explain how active boys can sometime need a little help with keeping 'fresh'. It could be good male bonding for Dad to show him what he uses, and how to use it...?? Not sure, but that's the kind of stuff my sister says she wishes she'd gotten from my Mom. I ended, helping her a lot through it.

I only have experience with helping girls through this kind of stuff, my sister and friends little girl (single Dad).

Keep us posted.

Hi, S.!

My baby girl (now 9 years old) began having the same "smelly issue" as your son when she started (get this) Kindergarten! No kidding. I tried changing her diet, and nothing happened. Well, she's been using deodorant on a daily basis since then. She uses Dove deodorant. It's mild and has a nice scent. I don't know what would be good for a boy, though, sorry. Also, I don't know why some children begin having smelly sweat so early. My other daughter (in Kindergarten now)doesn't have the same problem. Just be sure not to make him feel awkward about it, and let him know how important it is keep clean and fresh smelling.

Good luck,

L.

My mom use to say, "Zinc cuz ya stink." It worked.

I agree with the mother who said "supervise the bath". Boys can be in such a hurry, they don't want to take the time to "clean good".

Also, Melaleuca has safer alternatives to traditional products and some "fun items" for kids. If you are interested ... check out my website ... Switching Stores.com/poynter.

Thanks

My homeopath uses bactine spray under his arms, since it is actually tha bacteria that is causing the smell. My 14 year old was the same way. I never used anything on him...but he was a sweater even in kindergarten. He is still a very active boy and extremely athletic. My guess is your boy has a lot of testosterone like mine. Make sure he stays active and you won't go wrong.
J.

Try changing his diet. He may be sweating out what he is eating.
It works, I did it with my 10 year old girl. Less refined foods and sugar, more water, no juice, no sodas more fruit and veggies.

Have you thought about taking him to the doctor? It might not just be that he has smelly sweat it could be some kind of bacteria or something.

S.,
Let him sweat. After doing physical activity he should sweat. He needs to get the impurities out of his body. Deodorant only mask the smell. Give him a shower. If you have to take him somewhere after soccer or other physical activity, bring along those wet wipes. They smell nice, different scents out there, and wipe his hair off with them. Bring a change of clothes if he has to go somewhere that it would be a problem to be in dirty clothes. Most people do not think anything about a child being in soccer clothes. When he gets home, get the shower right away. All boys and girls stink after physical activity. Boys can really be smelly, but the impurities coming out are really good for him. Be sure to replenish his body with water or gatorade. Something like that, to keep his body replenishing the water loss. I work at an elementary school, and smelly children after physical activity is the norm. Don't forget to wash their hair, a lot of perspiration comes out in their scalps and hair. Mom, don't worry, you have a normal, healthy son.

E.:)

I had a surgery and couldn't use deodorant for 4 weeks. I used corn starch and it worked better than I expected. i put it in a shaker and sprinkled it on. It is much safer than deodorant on a child anyway.

As long as it says deoderant and not anti-perspirant/deoderant. The anti-perspirant has a way of clogging the ducts under the arms. All of my children use just deoderant and not anti-perspirant. (there have been studies on breast cancer from anti-perspirant).

J.

I agree with Nicki B who said some dietary changes might be in order. Too much protein or too many processed foods might be contributing to this. I would be hesitant to start deodorant at such a young age and would probably consult a doctor to rule out any problems. When the body lets off odor it is usually because it is processing chemicals, toxins, etc. He could have a mild illness. Good luck.

Don't feel bad about saying your little guy is stinky...it's the nature of the beast (pun intended)!

Since deoderant doesn't seem to be working, please consider supervising shower/bath time more closely. It could be that he's not soaping up properly. Sometimes, on days with vigorous activity, it might take more than one soaping up to get the job done.

Both my sons went through this, although not at 7. We discovered it was an "anti-soap" phase. Nothing worked except direct supervision or the dreaded "sniff test." If armpits didn't smell like fresh soap, my kid(s) would have to shower again. One time it took my eldest FOUR TRIES to get it right! No joke! Anyway, they finally got the message and the smell factor is back to normal.

Good luck!

I agree with S H and good for you, S H, for taking care of it. My 7 year old niece has had to start using deodorant recently. She came out for a visit recently and my husband and I thought we were smelling ourselves. It turns out it was her and actually she was age 6 at the time that we noticed. It was a month before her 7th b-day. My sister is in the process of her trying all of the natural deodorants first in hopes of finding one that works and she has spoken with her pediatrician. Good luck and don't worry. It is normal.

Okay... lots of Moms will say "WHAT!" That's TOO young...!" (gasp).

Okay, next. This is the reality. SOME-many kids this age, DO smell stinky and have B.O.

Okay. Then, the conundrum is... if you don't do anything about it (ie: deodorant), then the Teacher will tell you. OR, the child can also suffer from ridicule or be ostracized by other kids, or just be shied away from because he/she "smells", and yes, other Parents probably notice too. So it's (1) a body issue and (2) a social "problem", since the child is young. (3) at this age, you want to really talk with him about it so he doesn't get "self-conscious" about it....

Okay, so check with your Pediatrician. Yes, to make sure it's "normal"... and "okay." Lots of kids now days suffer from "premature puberty." or "precocious puberty." And you want to rule that out... if it applies to you.

Now, my girl is 6 years old. SHE has arm-pit body odor already. YES, we had her checked by a "Pediatric Endocrinologist".... under recommendation by her Pediatrician. This is how I "learned" all this.

Yes, my daughter needs to use deodorant.... YES, we use "natural" types. YES... I DO NOT want to be criticized for this. It is a very personal thing, when a child is this young, and has smelly armpits. YES, we handle it appropriately. AND we had her thoroughly checked by a specialist. NO we are not making her use this willy-nilly.

Now, since your son is only 7 years old and has arm-pit smell already.... I would buy any "natural" deodorants, as many as you can afford, and then try each one. Then, see which one he is not allergic to.

There was another posting here before, about a 10-year old boy and the Mom looking for deodorant suggestions. Or, just search online for "allergy free deodorant" or other things, and you will sure to find lots of info.

All the best, and good luck,
Susan

My suggestion is to only get deodorant not anti-perspirant. Your child's teacher will thank you for this! My second grade classroom STINKS after lunch!

Can you try cornstarch or baby powder with no perfumes?

as I respect all the responses I think you should just buy some deoderant for him and explain that bc he sweats so much he needs to start using deoderant. My brother was about 7 or 8 and my parents bought him dove deoderant bc all of us girls 5 girls in all used it it worked great for him and he didn't mind at all. But if your son is particular that Michilin deoderant works great for boys and men.