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Body odour and leg hair in a seven year old, GP visit?

14 replies

Holsareovertooquickly22929eee · 04/09/2026 14:50

My daughter has just turned 7 and we’ve noticed over the summer she has developed body odour, we initially put this down to it being incredibly warm however it is still the same ( I’ve let her use my roll on deodorant ). She also has quite corse hair on her legs (dark) , I’m not sure if she’s already had this though.

Just wondered if this is something that warrants a GP visit, ( we know how they are few and hard to get!) or if it’s normal… good on Google has given me mixed responses!

OP posts:
ExplodingSmittens · 04/09/2026 15:10

I would and I’d try to go to a sympathetic female GP if you can.

RoseBird29 · 04/09/2026 21:07

Maybe see if you can speak to a GP or health visitor over the phone first?

BeWittyRobin · 04/09/2026 21:42

Girls are hitting puberty much younger these days. Also it can run in families, so I suppose when did you start puberty? I was quite late, my girls were similar age to me when they did. But they were prob seen as abnormal amongst their peers 🙈 I have a friend who started her period at age 9 but needed to start wearing deodorant from age 7. I personally wouldn’t trouble the gp over it sounds like the start of puberty and all sounds normal. But I’m not a gp.

FreyaW · 04/09/2026 23:03

Yes..if only to rule out anything.

Phoenixfire1988 · 05/09/2026 00:09

Definitely, its not normal for a 7 year old .

Juliajojo · 05/09/2026 00:13

Hi, I would not book a Dr's appointment just yet. like you say it has been so very hot these last few months that has caused the BO or she might just be having a little hormone surge.
Does she have naturally dark hair? If she has some leg hair don't be surprised if she already has or soon starts getting pubic hair
personally I would wait to see, if she starts getting pubic hair or signs of breasts budding then contact your Dr.

Beanzmeanz · 05/09/2026 07:30

I don’t suppose you take HRT? I read about a case where a woman’s daughter went through precocious puberty due to coming in contact with the estrogen gel on her Mum.
id definitely book a call with the Drs (without your daughter) so as not to make her self conscious and see what they say

McBaby · 05/09/2026 07:46

I have three daughters they all started to need deodorant at a similar age but it came and went as few as hormones were changing. Two started periods at 11 and 12 the other looks like she has a way to go.

speak to a gp if you feel you need to but might just be part of regular pre puberty.

NonPithyBird · 05/09/2026 08:00

My daughter was the same around age 5, it was rather shocking when I first noticed it. She is now almost 12 and hasn't started her period yet. I don't think adrenarche means she has puberty around the corner. Her dad is pretty sweaty so he reckons it's his genes! I'm not sure about medical concerns but I have found a body wash that is antibacterial helps a great deal to prevent body odour.

Dreamingofdisneypt2 · 05/09/2026 08:26

My daughter (8) has had darker hairier legs that she started to notice at like 5. Some of the kids at school pointed it out which made her self conscious. I’ve not noticed any BO but she is very beauty conscious and does her skin care etc every day. She’s been wearing my deodorant because she sees me using it so wants to do the same. She’s definitely starting puberty as she’s developing in the chest area. She’s younger than I was but I guess that could be from her dad’s side. Monitor it and if you think not is early puberty see your Gp it’s not good for them to hit puberty too early, they may want to treat her.

Tiredhotmess · 05/09/2026 09:16

It could be early puberty. 7 does seem quite young to be getting body odour. Apart from her legs, has she started developing hair anywhere? I would monitor it for now, but if she starts getting public hair, it wouldn't hurt to see the GP, if only to reassure you that there is nothing to be concerned about.

Holsareovertooquickly22929eee · 05/09/2026 10:32

Thanks everyone!! Will monitor it I think and just see how she gets on, she’s a dinky dot the shortest and youngest in her year so I was surprised! I didn’t start my periods till 15, so I was hoping that she would be the same way! Thank you all for replying, all really helpful xx

OP posts:
FreyaW · 05/09/2026 17:53

One of my DD started her period at 10

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 05/09/2026 21:26

Please take her to the GP, I started my periods at 8, and stopped growing at 4'11.

I was also given the nickname sweaty betty, and it was absolutely awful for my confidence.

I would strongly recommend getting a review just so that you can rule anything out, but in the meantime start a new pits and bits daily and nightly washing routine.

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