Is it normal for a preteen to be really whiffy?

[Duckegg271]

DS is 10.5. He’s started puberty (hair sprouting, a few spots cropping up). Some days he comes home from school and smells strongly of onions (despite not eating them). He showers daily, wears clean pjs/t shirts every day, uses antibacterial bar soap and proper deodorant. By the end of the day it’s just not cutting it!

Is this normal? I don’t want to take him to the gp and draw attention to it, he’s oblivious!

Yep - they always hit an age when the smell just oozes out of their skin. Mine didn’t hit it until about 13.5 and it was really intense around 14. Different kids develop at different times.

The smell is awful though - it’s like hormones just making their skin smell and no amount of showering and soap helps!

I found using biological washing powder helped deal with the smell. Plus washing all clothes on 40

But why does he smell of onions? It’s not coming out of his pits, like traditional B.O it’s oniony all over. He’s fresh as a daisy after his shower at night, smells ok in the morning but still has another shower but by 3.30pm he’s humming. I’m worried he’s going to get picked on for it. DH said he didn’t notice it this evening but I could smell it the second he walked in the door.

I could have written this about my son who will be 12 in February.
I’m sure it’s hormones. My son showers (with specific instructions to wash himself properly because he has been known to just stand under the water and not actually wash - beggars belief) and use anti perspirant, clean school shirt every morning and he still stinks by the evening.
No advice I’m afraid other than keep doing what you’re doing and I’m sure it’ll pass!

Could it be stinky clothes?
I notice that odour when the sweat/deodorant/bacteria gets trapped in clothing.

Use Halo sports wash designed for dealing with niffy clothes and really rub it into the underarms of the clothes and it's definitely much better.