My sons hair smells.

[Kakey1294129]

Sorry for not being aibu but never get many responses elsewhere.

My son is 10. He showers daily. Previously hair would be washed every other day. Now it's every day because of the smell.

It's not a terrible smell but can smell it when sat nearby to him . I can't really explain it. Smells like when you've not washed tour hair for a few days and you've been a bit sweaty, musty. He has got quite a bit of hair - longer than just bits but not really long. We wash his hair too (I know he's 10 but he's autistic and struggles to do it himself).

His hair appears to look pretty clean. It's white blonde but has got darker. No sign of dandruff or anything.

Anyone know what it could be?! What I can do?

It's grease as he's approaching puberty. Tea tree shampoo will help a bit.

He's not using shampoo and only running his head under the water. I had the same with DP, he thought because his hair was shaved shampoo/soap wasn't needed and it was the same type of smell.

Is he brewing a cold or a bug? Sounds bonkers but I can smell it on DC heads when they're coming down with something.

Otherwise: medicated shampoo? New pillow needed? If he wears hats, do they need a wash? If he has sensory needs is he wearing ear defenders that might be making his head sweaty?

Agree with tea tree shampoo

Try a different shampoo

@MutteringDarkly

Is he brewing a cold or a bug? Sounds bonkers but I can smell it on DC heads when they're coming down with something.

Otherwise: medicated shampoo? New pillow needed? If he wears hats, do they need a wash? If he has sensory needs is he wearing ear defenders that might be making his head sweaty?

Ha! I've always noticed that my kids smell different when they are ill - have never told anyone before though, as I thought they might think I was nuts. Glad to hear I'm not alone!

We had similar, I’d often assumed he hadn’t washed it but he had.. we moved to Aussie shampoo and now he smells nice

I’ve had this conversation with friends and we’ve all experienced it. I agree that it’s down to puberty.
My son has been smelling for the last year or two. A foxy musky smell. His bedroom smelt of it. Even if I aired it and changed the sheets, the following day the smell was back after he’d slept in there.
The smell has gone these last few months and he has gone through puberty now.

Definitely a different smell to children when they are poorly.
A medicated shampoo may help.

Welcome to puberty. Lemon and tea tree shampoo works well.

Yes to puberty. My DD was the same, she despaired of her hair ever smelling clean again - but they get through it eventually!

@MutteringDarkly

Is he brewing a cold or a bug? Sounds bonkers but I can smell it on DC heads when they're coming down with something.

Otherwise: medicated shampoo? New pillow needed? If he wears hats, do they need a wash? If he has sensory needs is he wearing ear defenders that might be making his head sweaty?

Hopefully not! Tbf it's been going on for a few months so seems like more of an ongoing thing!

Thanks all. He hasn't had any other signs of puberty at all but it could be an early sign I guess!

We are washing every day currently. We are washing his hair for him too! He can do it himself but I feel he probably doesn't do it great.

We have tried a few good shampoos etc etc. I'll go boots soon and have a look around.

His hair looks great after a wash. It's so smooth and shiny most of the time - I am envious of it as mine is fine and frizzy!

congratulations you have a boy

I have 2 of the sort

I'm afraid pre-pubescent and teenage boys smell. even if they wash regularly.
but at around 10ish they needed reminders to actually use soap.

Is he going to bed with damp hair? That always makes my clean hair smell.

DH's head started to stink a few months ago.

I would lie behind him in bed and it made me feel slightly nauseated.

Smelled like a used wet towel that had been left to mold in a heap in between several uses with an old manky sour soapy edge.

He uses a fresh towel every shower, so not that.

He has been using the same shampoo for years and, sure enough, new "improved" formula.
I just happened to spot the tiny "new" in the corner of the label after a couple of weeks of the stench.

I have actually smelled this odour before, coming from bottles of conditioner that had been kept too long and some element has gone rancid.

Any way, DH changed shampoo brand. Funny stink gone.

@purplesequins

congratulations you have a boy

I have 2 of the sort

I'm afraid pre-pubescent and teenage boys smell. even if they wash regularly.
but at around 10ish they needed reminders to actually use soap.

Thanks. He actually loves water and spends ages in the shower or bath (sensory thing) but he hates bubble bath or shower gel. He can tolerate soap sometimes. Guess it's a sign of things to come! 😂 we've had no other odour issues yet and haven't needed deodorant yet but I guess that will be in due course too. Thank you!

@MrsMoastyToasty

Is he going to bed with damp hair? That always makes my clean hair smell.

Not usually. Usually he has a bath or shower around 6pm and chills for a couple hours before bed but I know what you mean!

I agree with PP, he needs a different shampoo. We tried a lot to find the. one which works for DD, tea tree would have been a disaster for her, too. harsh. so it is a case. of trial and error.

My son’s hair smells like this, I brought a shampoo from my hairdresser that he recommended, the smell is still there a little bit but no where near as bad

@reluctantbrit

I agree with PP, he needs a different shampoo. We tried a lot to find the. one which works for DD, tea tree would have been a disaster for her, too. harsh. so it is a case. of trial and error.

Thanks. I'll browse in boots soon. Currently have one in isolation though 😒

Your not pregnant are you? When I was pregnant last year I thought that my 11 year old’s hair stunk to high heaven but it smelt fine again the moment I gave birth! It was obviously a hormonal thing but not just for me - I’ve spoken to other mums with older children and babies and they experienced the same thing!

Whoops ‘you’re’ I mean!

@Paripale

Your not pregnant are you? When I was pregnant last year I thought that my 11 year old’s hair stunk to high heaven but it smelt fine again the moment I gave birth! It was obviously a hormonal thing but not just for me - I’ve spoken to other mums with older children and babies and they experienced the same thing!

I'd like to think not - no babies on the agenda for us! 😂 my sense of smell was drastically heightened in pregnancy so I know what you mean. I have noticed this smell for a while now but gradually getting worse and washing doesn't seem to reduce the smell.. even for a short while!

@Paripale I was just going to say this!!! My DSD washes her hair with Aussie and the other day I thought she hadn't washed her hair as it smelled off and as a PP said - as if she'd used an old damp towel. I got my DH to smell her hair and he said it smelled exactly the same as the shampoo in the bottle which was fine and I was being "weird".