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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Armpit smell-body odor 7 year old boy

17 replies

Farantou · 02/03/2025 06:25

Is that even possible?
My 7 year old started to have a foul smell, not to intense, it:s only after I smell his armpits from upclose.. Is this early onset puberty? Many articles suggest that boys start puberty after the age of 9.
I have a booked an appointment with my pediatrician but it's a week away.
Has this occurred to anyone??

OP posts:

35965a · 02/03/2025 06:37

I think kids can get a bit stinky at that age, it doesn’t mean puberty is that close either. I’d say make sure he’s using proper soap to wash properly and get him a natural antiperspirant and don’t panic about it.

Newbie887 · 02/03/2025 06:38

If my daughter wears a top / pjs on repeat and sweats a lot in it it will start to smell a bit of BO under the arms. She is 7. Her brother was the same from about the same age. One of her friends has started to use deodorant here and there, also 7. I think it’s normal but like you was surprised. The smell is pretty faint and seems to build up on clothing, it’s not like she does one PE lesson and comes home stinking of BO. Is this the type of thing you are talking about?

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 02/03/2025 06:41

DS smelled quite early too. We started using antiperspirant.

Original poster

Farantou · 02/03/2025 07:19

When he sweats(and he sweats quite a lot!), he smells like a teenager!But the foul smell comes from hormones according to articles I ve read and it's not really the usual in a 7 year old.
Have you checked with your doctor?
I hope I am worrying over nothing..

OP posts:

Holdonforsummer · 02/03/2025 07:24

My son definitely started to have body odour at that age. I never considered it early puberty but he was way beyond his peers in many ways. Now he is 16 and full of testosterone. I think some boys are just like this. Try and make sure he washes every day and buy him a deodorant if you need to.

BallerinaRadio · 02/03/2025 07:27

You've made sure he washes well? Got him some roll on deodorant? You seem to be making a big deal of something that must probably isn't

GoodToBeHome · 02/03/2025 07:41

What is it you are worried about?
Just make sure he's having a good wash every day and get him a mild roll on deodorant.
Wash all of his tops on a high heat setting as they can sometimes 'trap and release' smells once they have been worn for a while, we use the dettol laundry disinfectant to make sure everything is squeaky clean (we have pets though!) which also kills the smelly bacteria.

OhCalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 02/03/2025 07:45

Some boys hit puberty far earlier than others. I remember one boy at school with a full beard and adult body hair when he was 12 years old who was way ahead of other boys his age. You're might just be an early developer.

SallyWD · 02/03/2025 07:47

My DD started getting BO at seven. I was worried she was starting an early puberty but she didn't start her periods until 13.

Original poster

Farantou · 02/03/2025 07:53

Thank you so much for your answers. Hopefully the doctor will tell us if this is something to worry about or not. I really do hope it's false alarm.

OP posts:

nocturnalstar · 02/03/2025 07:54

My son is 6, nearly 7 and has this. It's worse when he's been emotional and hot (he's autistic and has difficulties with his emotions). Doesn't smell when hot from exercise weirdly. I asked the paediatrician and she said its nothing to worry about and wasn't concerned as no hair growing early anywhere. We use a roll on deodorant.

DragonBalls · 02/03/2025 07:56

My DS had smelly pits even at 6 I think (definitely 7) but still no other signs of puberty at 9. There have been lots of posts like this over the years. Seems pretty normal!

Fridaysgirl17 · 02/03/2025 07:58

My 7 year old is like this too & I have him a little roll on (as less chemicals as I can as he has reacted to stuff before) & we pop it on in the morning & it helps. I don't think it's anything to worry about,it's hormonal & his doctor wasn't worried at all, I will say my son is on medication so this may cause his to be a bit more intense.

Lost20211 · 02/03/2025 10:26

I had stinky armpits as a kid. I would agree with others - make sure he washes and uses a good deodorant. Salt Of The Earth is good and has no strong smells.

Namechange09090 · 02/03/2025 10:40

My boy had smelly armpits from a very young age. I remember goigling it and it was linked to having runny earwax which he also has. Weird! Just a genetic thing I think.

Noshowlomo · 02/03/2025 10:44

My son has had stinky arm pits on and off since he was about 4. It’s not all the time, and I am not worried. His dad can be a sweater so probs genetic and when it gets bad as he gets older I’ll get him a roll on. I’ve read it can be normal with hormone surges and there are no other signs of anything else going on

tickedee · 02/03/2025 10:53

My 8yr old Son has been using deodorant for a year, he was quite smelly on PE Days. Absolutely no need to waste a doctors appointment, just buy him some antiperspirant!

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