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Preteens

11 year old DD body odour

85 replies

Malibucyprus · 30/01/2019 12:26

My DD smells Sad

I know that sounds awful, but it's a fact.

She's bathes daily, washes with soap/shower gel, uses roll-on, anti-perspirant, body spray and perfume, we've even tried talc, but I'm not keen on her using that daily. Her armpits smell as soon as she gets out of the bath. She doesn't sweat excessively.

Clean shirt daily, I was her blazer and coat weekly.

Does it warrant a visit to the GP? I'd hate to waste anyone's time with this.

Someone suggested Driclor to me, but I'm wary of all the chemicals she's rubbing into her skin as it is.

I'm worried it's going to be noticed at school, I'd hate her to be labelled as smelly.

I have a 14 year old DD and she hasn't had any issues with BO.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

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Malibucyprus · 30/01/2019 12:27

That should be I wash her blazer and coat weekly.

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brokenhead · 30/01/2019 12:30

I would say her clothes aren't properly cleaned from the washing machine

Buy a biological detergent
Detol laundry cleanser
Strong conditioner
And also the fragrance pebbles


we have a friend who stinks and it's his laundry not being done well enough it's grim
If I wash his clothes he smells better

Also deo on straight out of shower

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troubleswillbeoutofsight · 30/01/2019 12:30

My immediate thoughts were that she shouldn’t be smelling immediately after a shower if she’s washing and rinsing properly. As for smelling later I’m afraid I don’t have any advise as it sounds as if you’ve got everything covered.
If it’s body odour from under arm even the smelliest people don’t smell directly after a good wash

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MrsJayy · 30/01/2019 12:36

Are you sure she is smelly after a shower or is she just not smelling of soap after an hour? Are you washing her clothes hot enough that can leave a whiff in clothes I know all that reads as patronising but just checking, puberty can be a bit smelly but if you think it is a problem then get her checked out there is no harm in it.

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peeblet · 30/01/2019 12:38

what roll on is she using, I've found only mitchum works for any real length of time for me

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joystir59 · 30/01/2019 12:38

Are you sure she is actually scrubbing her armpits with soap and not just standing under the shower and then drying off without washing at all?

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Spudina · 30/01/2019 12:39

I think soap is better than shower gel for getting clean, that's really the only thing I can think of. And micham is supposed to be good. Does she drink enough? Smells can be a symptom (like a smell of pear drops in the breath can indicate diabetes) so I don't actually think you would be wasting a GPs time.

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MrsJayy · 30/01/2019 12:41

I just came back to ask the same thing is she actually washing herself and not just standing under the shower

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MikeUniformMike · 30/01/2019 12:42

Makes sure she thoroughly soaps (not shower gels) armpits, between her legs and feet in the shower.
Wash her clothes but don't use fabric conditioner (affects breatheability of fabric and it smells funny). Check that the clothes don't smell. 11 is probably too young for deodorant.
Is she eating smelly food? I really smell if I eat some things.
If after that she still smells, then yes consult a GP. I think BO can be related to kidney problems - so worth checking.

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Malibucyprus · 30/01/2019 12:44

@brokenhead her clothes are properly cleaned! I use non-bio, bio brings her out in a rash, I use the strongest softener I can find, I also have a new washing machine. Surely if it were the clothes that were the issue, we'd all smell? The clothes that I wash are clean, and smell lovely!

Yes she definitely still smells straight from the bath, deodorant goes on as soon as she's dry. She only smells from her armpits, no other body odours.

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TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 30/01/2019 12:45

If she is wearing polyester items, particularly her shirts then replace them with cotton ones. Polyester isn’t absorbent and the sweat just stays on the surface, unless you scrub it off.

FWIW someone talked about making sure she was washing her armpits properly. Whilst this sounds obvious, my dd age 12 thought she had washed her hair if she just put shampoo on. She didn’t actually lather it🤔even though I’d shown her how to do it. 6 months of smelly hair until l got to the bottom of it🙄

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Malibucyprus · 30/01/2019 12:45

I know that she's washing properly, because I've started doing it for her, I go in and rub the soap under her arms, because I thought the same, I thought maybe she was just splashing water under them.

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JE17 · 30/01/2019 12:46

Are you sure that she's washing herself thoroughly? My dd10 often still has smelly armpits after a bath because she only gives herself a quick wipe over. If I do it for her there is no smell.

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BluthsFrozenBananas · 30/01/2019 12:51

Armpits smell is caused by bacteria breaking down the sweat, so maybe try something like a soap or shower gel with tea tree in it to kill off the bacteria. I’d also change her deodorant to either Mitchum or the triple dry spray on (I use the latter and it’s very good if pricey).

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Malibucyprus · 30/01/2019 12:53

I think I'll get her checked out, it's not what I'd class as normal BO, it's really strong. I know she's washing properly, I know her clothes are clean before they go on her body, there must be something else going on.

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Wildboar · 30/01/2019 12:54

Does she smell after shower but before clothes go on? If so she needs to wash better. Try using a flannel to give a proper scrub. You’re fighting a losing battle otherwise. Also is she quite slim? Sometimes the hollow under the armpit gets missed which can caused her to smell.

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Malibucyprus · 30/01/2019 13:02

@Wildboar yes she still smells before getting dressed, I wash her armpits for her, so I know they're washed thoroughly. She's not particularly slim, I'd say she's average.

She's definitely going through puberty, she has pubic hair, no periods yet but I'm expecting them to start soon. I shave her armpits also, I did try to avoid doing it so young, but the hairs were really long (2-3cm) and she was worried about getting changed for PE at school.

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MrsJayy · 30/01/2019 13:11

If you are concerned then definately get her checked out.

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MikeUniformMike · 30/01/2019 13:12

Definitely take her to see the GP. It might be nothing, but if it is, the sooner you get it sorted, the better.

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LockedDown · 30/01/2019 13:13

Awww bless her, puberty is so hard, all these changes she's going through and then this worry as well. She's lucky she has a mum who is supporting and helping her Thanks

I don't have any advice unfortunately, I would agree to go speak to the doctor, see what they say.

Good luck OP, the next few years are going to be fun ConfusedConfused

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bigandbumpy · 30/01/2019 13:19

I wouldn't use driclor but that's because it burnt underneath my arms and left a really sore red mark. It did cease my sweating for a bit but I think your daughters issues are more than just profusely sweating.

I am super fastidious about washing my clothes but I always smell under the arms of tops before putting them on - some of my clothes although properly laundered still smell. I think it's the material so I just bin them. Your point about laundry and wouldn't you all smell, no is the answer.

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Malibucyprus · 30/01/2019 13:33

@LockedDown thank you for your kind reply, I honestly do feel like I'm doing my best, we're all spotlessly clean (clothes and bodies), which is why I asked for further suggestions.

@bigandbumpy I agree it's not an excessive sweat issue, she isn't sweaty. The clothes definitely don't smell when they go on her body though. I'm not in denial, I've even asked my Mom and sister (they'd be honest with me) and it's not a laundry or hygiene issue. I almost wish it was that simple, and easily solved by washing better, but I've tried everything I can. I've heard Driclor is harsh, I'm wary of using it.

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user1494670108 · 30/01/2019 13:39

I use Sure Maximum Protection cream as I started to notice an issue when I hit the menopause. You could try that but if its as bad as you say then I think a trip to the GP is probably appropriate

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Orchidflower1 · 30/01/2019 13:40

Is it every day that she smells? Some foods can make bo worse.

However if you’re worried take her to the gp. It’s been going on a while and it will help your worries. It could just be the surge in hormones.

Good luck and 💐for you op.

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Redken24 · 30/01/2019 13:42

Definitely try a different top material.
Polyester makes me stink too no matter how hot the bath.

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