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Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

Original poster

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Malibucyprus · 30/01/2019 13:45

@Orchidflower1 every day yes, it's constant, regardless of what she's eaten, warm/cold weather, physical activity or not, it's always there. Admittedly some days it's not as strong, but there really is no pattern to it.

I just feel as though I'm going to be judged, as well as the worry of her peers noticing. I'm almost Monica when it comes to cleaning/washing etc, so would hate people to think that it's my fault because I don't wash her clothes properly.

OP posts:
Original poster
Malibucyprus · 30/01/2019 13:47

Never thought about the material of her clothes, I buy Trutex school shirts, I've just googled them and they're 65% polyester! Can anyone recommend school shirts that are 100% cotton?

OP posts:
BuildingQuote · 30/01/2019 13:48

OP we had exactly this and a friend recommended a natural salt deodorant I didn’t hold much hope for but it has completely solved it and DD has not once had a day of BO recurring since she’s worn it. I am so relieved to have found it! I get mine on Amazon or Waitrose but perhaps other shops might sell it too

11 year old DD body odour
glitterbiscuits · 30/01/2019 13:50

Try Mitchum anti perspirant

It's probably better to try a strong formula like Mitchum then medication. If it doesn't work then you have tried another angle.

Rubyroses3 · 30/01/2019 13:53

I agree with the Mitchum too. It was the only thing that worked for my 11 year old.

SwimmingJustKeepSwimming · 30/01/2019 13:55

Id try the bio wash again too.
Apparently we're the only country using non bio so other countries are fine with it. It was a bit of a marketing ploy.

Id avoided non bio as kids get exzema but they were fine when we changed back to bio as older kids!

PaquitaVariation · 30/01/2019 14:00

Is she just rubbing the soap on her skin or putting the soap on a washcloth/shower puff/sponge and then rubbing her skin? Just putting the soap/shower gel on her skin and rinsing won’t work.

Original poster
Malibucyprus · 30/01/2019 14:04

@BuildingQuote thank you, I’ll give that a try.

She’s currently using Dove Cream roll on, as I hoped it’d leave a bit of a coating but it hasn’t worked. I’ll try Mitchum too.

She/I have tried sponge, puff and directly onto skin, there’s no improvement.

OP posts:
O4FS · 30/01/2019 14:06

I know someone who switched to organic milk and swears this solved her DDs BO problem 🤷🏻‍♀️

No idea how or why mine you.

O4FS · 30/01/2019 14:07

Mind you.

Haworthia · 30/01/2019 14:07

I think you need to go to the GP.

There’s no way her pits should be smelling after being scrubbed with soap. Standard deodorant should be enough too.

thehorseandhisboy · 30/01/2019 14:08

Marks and Spencer, John Lewis and the supermarkets all do 100% cotton school shirts OP.

It's definitely worth switching from synthetic fibres as a first course of action.

MirrorMouse · 30/01/2019 14:13

Try washing her with a flannel instead of the sponge or puff.

BuildingQuote · 30/01/2019 14:14

haworthia I don’t think it’s usually a gp issue, some people just do sweat more or prone to BO and I know as was similar from a young age too. I’ve always washed so well and had clean cotton clothes daily etc but normal deodorants often weren’t enough until dd and I changed to Salt of the Earth one. I also found Mitchum really reliable too and long lasting and never let me down but wary of what chemicals it might have.
A friend also swears by bicarbonate of soda rubbed onto freshly washed armpits for her 11 year old but I’d find that a hassle!

Racecardriver · 30/01/2019 14:15
  1. Make sure that she uses soap not shower gel and that she uses it everywhere.
  2. Treat her clothes with white vinegar before washing on a high tenor with biological laundry powder.
If the smell persists see a doctor.
BuildingQuote · 30/01/2019 14:15

Ps although I may be wrong it’s not one for the GP as I am not medically trained Blush

LaBelleSauvage123 · 30/01/2019 14:21

Malibucypress - DS2 has exactly the same thing. It started when he was about your DDs age and I’m afraid he’s still suffering with it at 16, despite us trying most of the things that are on this thread. The two things that have helped a bit are using Perspi-guard body wash and ( this sounds weird) making a paste with water and baking powder and rubbing that under his armpits. We’ve been to the dr who said it is probably caused by excess testosterone. I doubt that would be the case for your DD but it could be hormonal? Sympathies for you. If you find anything that helps I’d be grateful to know.

bigandbumpy · 30/01/2019 14:33

@Malibucyprus - Sorry was implying you weren't washing your clothes properly. It was more to say that even if you try hard to use good detergents it still doesn't seem to make some clothes smell fresh under the arms. I've also added to my wash the dettol anti bacteria liquid before.

bigandbumpy · 30/01/2019 14:34

@Malibucyprus - Just seen another post. 100% cotton definitely! Think M@S do cotton shirts/polos.

wombatron · 30/01/2019 14:38

You could try this stuff (link below). I am not really pongy or sweaty, but in the summer months I notice this really helps. There are other flavours but I find the charcoal one the best

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/native-unearthed-natural-deodorant-balm-activated-charcoal-60017090?skuid=017090&utmmedium=cpc&utmmsource=google&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1dWXx92V4AIVCLXtCh0OKgkIEAQYASABEgLRPDDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Drogosnextwife · 30/01/2019 14:43

There is a roll on deodorant called pespire X OP. Its not very comfortable to out on, has to be leafy to dry bit it really works. I had this problem when I was about 13 and I was so embarrassed, the 15 mins of itching was worth it because it really worked.

Oceanbliss · 30/01/2019 14:47

Smell her roll on deodorant. If it smells of her bo then it could be making her underarms smell of bo again. Wash the roll on deodorant ball and see if that makes a difference.

Itstimeslikethese · 30/01/2019 15:03

My niece has exact same problem but now is managing it with electrosis machine , she went to see her GP who referred her to the hospital & done a few weeks course of treatment there.. In mean time could try Perspirex roll on as this helps a little . Good luck X

Ollivander84 · 30/01/2019 15:04

Was going to say dettol soap

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