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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think a 4yr old shouldn't have BO?

37 replies

Insanityismymiddlename · 27/08/2013 10:14

My 4 yr old DS has really bad B.O, I bath him every other day and he gets a strip wash every morning but yet come lunchtime he really does smell, is there anything else I can do?

I'm not keen on bathing him everyday as he has eczema and daily bathing dries his skin out.

He starts full time school next week and worried as I know children can be cruel and I don't want him picked on because he smells.

He is a very active child but surely 4yrs is too young for deodorant?

OP posts:
CoffeeTea103 · 27/08/2013 10:19

I think you should just check with your doctor about your concerns.

4 seems too young for deodorant and it might begin to make him feel self conscious about himself.

idiot55 · 27/08/2013 10:22

Second a GP check.

idiot55 · 27/08/2013 10:23

Oops , pressed send too quick.

Afriendschildat same age had same issue,but seemed tube some sort of hormonal phase as he's now 9 and still doesn't need deodorant

spudalicious · 27/08/2013 10:26

Hi - I would take him to the docs. My daughter has had BO (if she doesn't use deo) since she was 4. Some kids just get smellier earlier than others. In my daughter's case though - she was eventually (after I nagged and nagged GP) referred to hospital for tests when she also started growing hair at 5/6. She was eventually diagnosed with premature adrenarche - basically an early functioning adrenal gland firing out hormones you'd normally expect during puberty. In her case they are causing little but hair growth and stinkiness if she doesn't wash properly/use deo. It's a pain for her but that's all. I would, however, suggest you go to docs as there can be more serious problems (bone age for eg) if this is the issue and there can be more serious (but very rare) causes of a misfiring adrenal gland other than 'one of those things' which is essentially what it is for her.

spudalicious · 27/08/2013 10:27

In the mean time I suggest you get some natural deo sticks and get used to washing him more frequently than you might bother with most 4 year olds. Kids can be mean - although as far as I know nothing was ever said to my daughter.

BrokenSunglasses · 27/08/2013 10:41

Take him to the doctors.

SparkyTGD · 27/08/2013 11:12

What do you use for the bath (as he has eczema)?

Just because I find Oilatum (blue one) to be a bit smelly in itself & Oilatum Plus (has added anti-bacterial ingredient) to be better.

valiumredhead · 27/08/2013 14:08

Is he wearing clean clothes every day?

Try changing your washing detergent?

Use anti bac soap when you wash his arm pits.

Try a shower instead of a bath? Less drying if he had sensitive skin.

Bonsoir · 27/08/2013 14:09

He needs a daily bath with a good soaping under his arms.

Edendance · 27/08/2013 14:16

I would use deodorant in the mean time as well, get a sensitive roll on one and go from there. No reason why he should need to smell just because he's not got deodorant on. Definitely get him to the doctor for a check though.

spudalicious · 27/08/2013 14:38

On behalf of the OP I bet it's not her washing/dressing regime that is the issue. Could you go a day without deo and not be kicking up a bit by the end of the day? When it started for my daughter I didn't want to use deo and so tried all sorts of washing regimes. By the afternoon you could smell her coming. Deodorant is the thing. GP advised it too. You can get natural ones - they work ok although are about £7 a stick. Might be worth it if he has other skin issues though.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 27/08/2013 14:39

He's 4 though. G.P would be my first port of call

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 27/08/2013 14:40

P.S.

Most children are incredibly NOT cruel Smile

I find adults to be MUCH crueler

Original poster
Insanityismymiddlename · 27/08/2013 15:00

Thanks everyone I think I will definitely be making a doctors appointment for him then.

I use Oilatum plus in his baths, no shower unfortunately and he has clean clothes everyday.

Will look at natural deodorants for him too but am reluctant as he is only just 4yrs old and it seems a bit grown up.

A daily bath dries his skin out and his skin flares up, Im not going to make him uncomfortable for the sake of smelling nice, he is scrubbed with a flannel and soap daily though.

OP posts:
SybilRamkin · 27/08/2013 15:16

Please don't worry OP, a 4 year-old with body odour is actually within the normal developmental range (albeit at the lower end). Body odor at this age is usually a sign that the body is maturing and the hormones are changing, but it doesn't automatically signify precocious puberty or anything else abnormal.

It's fine for your DS to start using deodorant or even antiperspirant. If you're worried about antiperspirants, then you can use a natural deodorant that doesn't prevent sweating but eliminates the smell associated with it.

Please don't send him to school smelling, children can be really cruel and it's unfair on him.

With regards to his eczema, perhaps you shouldn't use soap on his skin as this is notorious for drying it out. Perhaps switch to an emollient soap substitute, but avoid perfumed brands.

Best of luck!

valiumredhead · 27/08/2013 15:30

Fine for a four year old to wear anti persistent, really?Confused

Bunbaker · 27/08/2013 15:31

"he is scrubbed with a flannel and soap daily though."
Why are you using soap if he has eczema? Can you just use soap under his arms and nowhere else?

DD never uses soap because she had eczema when she was little, and still rarely uses it.

Original poster
Insanityismymiddlename · 27/08/2013 15:38

Sorry probably wasn't clear his pits are scrubbed with soap daily not the rest of him I use a (Oilatum) cleansing bar on him not a soap soap IYSWIM?

OP posts:
CHUMMUM · 27/08/2013 15:38

My daughter had this & gp gave us a special soap, antibacterial, but the type surgeons use!! Used everyday under arms, she sweated but it didn't smell. Changed to deoderant at 8.
She had all hormone tests at age 7 because she started getting pubic hair too.Sad All results were thankfully within normal ranges and they said she was likely to have surges then stop for a while.Smile

It has been like that really. Now at 11.5 and still no proper boobs or menstruation yet.
Agree with others that you should see gp and hopefully they will help.

oscarwilde · 27/08/2013 15:46

What's his uniform made from ? Polyester or 100% cotton? Provided that his uniform is changed and washed daily, with what you are doing above, it sounds like you should be able to keep on top of it.

I would look for an organic deodorant stick that doesn't have aluminium in it which is more likely to cause a reaction in a child that young when used daily especially if he doesn't have a full bath every night.

Chat to your GP - they may also be able to give you prescriptions to try other products for a bit. Or have other recommendations for bath stuff that mean he can be bathed every day without a reaction.

Edendance · 27/08/2013 16:00

I don't understand why people are upset with a 4 year old wearing deodorant; if he needs it then he should use it! Yes he's unusually young but he needs it! Totally unfair to potentially subject him to torment because 'he's too young for deodorant'

He may be only four but his body clearly is having a hormone boost or something, get him a deodorant!

soverylucky · 27/08/2013 16:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

squoosh · 27/08/2013 16:49

Yes do take him to the GP by all means, but if it turns out that a deodorant is what he needs well then I don't see the big deal.

Mumsyblouse · 27/08/2013 16:54

What are these natural deodorants and where do you get them? Are they ok for children with eczema or dermatitis? My dd (who has these problems) needs some, although she's within the natural range for girls hormones changing.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 27/08/2013 16:59

Mumsy

They look like a crystal. Health food shops, but I think I've seen them in bigger Boots. They are aluminium free (although AFAIK there's no actual evidence that aluminium does any harm)