Q. My 6-year-old daughter is starting to have body odor. Is it safe for her to wear deodorant? Is this normal, or should I be concerned?
Adult body odor occurs when bacteria under the arms break down a certain type of fat that is secreted by apocrine glands in this area. Apocrine glands do not form until puberty, which explains why children do not typically have body odor.
It is normal for girls to develop body odor between the ages of 8-12. For boys, the onset is a little later: 9-14.
When a parent notices body odor in a young child, she should first consider nonmedical causes. Dietary factors such as eating onions, garlic, curry and spicy foods can cause sweat to have a strong odor. In some cases, the odor may be related to bacteria on the skin. If this is the case, daily bathing and use of an antibacterial soap such as Dial should remedy the problem.
If body odor persists after making dietary and hygiene changes, then you should consult your health care provider to evaluate for medical causes. One of the main concerns is whether this may be a sign of starting puberty too early. This is called precocious puberty. Other signs of puberty in girls include breast development, underarm hair, pubic hair, acne and a major growth spurt. If any of these signs accompany the body odor, then it is more likely that the body odor is a sign of precocious puberty. In this case, your daughter should see her pediatrician.
