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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Stinky teen girls

57 replies

ChocolateJam · 12/03/2016 13:45

Do young teen girls go a bit stinky? DD(13) claims that she washes properly and puts on roll-on but I can smell her every afternoon when she gets in the car after school and all her shirts have to be soaped up under the arms before washing otherwise the smell doesn't come out. She also has a vaginal discharge (normal I think, not menstruating yet) which adds to the general BO.

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 12/03/2016 13:47

She's not using a "gentle" roll on, is she?

Shadow1986 · 12/03/2016 13:51

Could you try a different deodorant? I hated roll ons...
Also a shower every morning with a new school shirt on? I dread to think how much I smelt as a teen my mum wasn't great at advising me about things like this!

Original poster
ChocolateJam · 12/03/2016 13:54

No, Garnier men's roll on. She does shower every morning and puts a clean shirt on along with clean undies (I hope!). It's summer where we live, so days between mid-20's and early 30's but she insists on wearing her blazer to school every day even though it's not compulsory. So that doesn't help. I washed the blazer today as even that was smelling of sweat.

OP posts:
Vixxfacee · 12/03/2016 13:54

It could be the deodorant. Not every deodorant works on every person. Experiment with deodorants. I find the cream ones the best.

Original poster
ChocolateJam · 12/03/2016 13:55

We've tried different roll ons and sprays. I've also supervised her putting it on, to make sure she's not just giving it one swipe under each arm. Maybe I must insist that she shows me every morning that she's putting it on properly.

OP posts:
Vixxfacee · 12/03/2016 13:57

Try Mitchum the scent less one.
Get her to wash her armpits with soap in the mornings if she doesn't shower first thing and then put the deodorant on doubling up the 'slicks".

TrinityForce · 12/03/2016 14:01

Mitchum is great, try that if you haven't already.

Poor lass

Fairylea · 12/03/2016 14:02

Another vote for Mitchum. It really is the best.

User543212345 · 12/03/2016 14:09

Does she wash in the shower? Lots of teens when I was at school seemed to think the dirt would rinse off and therefore didn't use soap/shower gel when they were "washing". If she is washing properly it might be worth changing her shower gel to soap. DSis reeks by the end of the day if she washes with shower gel but doesn't if she washes with soap.

specialsubject · 12/03/2016 14:37

in temperatures like that she's going to get sweaty whatever. Yes, some washing lessons may be worth a go; proper soap and scrub of pits and bits.

wearing a blazer in that heat is clearly daft and creating washing. Why's she doing that? Blouse too thin and underwear showing through?

Original poster
ChocolateJam · 12/03/2016 14:46

Thanks, I will try Mitchum and reiterate the importance of scrubbing with soap. She wears the blazer because she thinks she looks really smart in it and the pockets are great for storing things in! She doesn't wear a bra yet. I was wondering if she's self conscience about her nipples but she won't discuss it. I bought her a tight fitting white t-shirt with thin straps to wear under her basketball shirt but I haven't seen her wearing it to school.

OP posts:
SueLawleyandNicholasWitchell · 12/03/2016 14:55

Is she washing her hair enough? A lot of body heat and sweat goes through the head, so hair can smell quite a bit.

Another yes for Mitchum.

The blazer might need a run through the machine every week if she is sweating a lot in it. The armpit area can get quite crusty with sweat, and even washing powder doesn't quite shift the dormant sweat smell.

Whosthemummy16 · 12/03/2016 15:02

Could she be excessively sweating, causing stains on her shirts, which is why she is reluctant to take her blazer off ?

Sometimesithinkimbonkers · 12/03/2016 15:08

Another vote for Mitchum here!!!!

StewardsEnquiry · 12/03/2016 15:21

Right:

  1. get her to wash with soap not shower gel
  2. Keep armpits hair free (less surface for bacteria to multiply)
  3. Sure intensive deodorant - the cream formula one that you put on at night.

If this doesn't sort it take her to the doc's.

Original poster
ChocolateJam · 12/03/2016 15:27

I think she is washing her hair a couple of times a week. Maybe I must get in the shower with her regularly even though I don't really like that. No stains on the shirt.

I will make sure she shaves more often, she is not really into shaving. You don't get Sure deodorant here, will try the Mitchum.

OP posts:
QforCucumber · 12/03/2016 15:35

Another vote for mitchum I was recommended it by the gp when I was 16, been using it ever since (almost 30 now) the only thing which stops me sweating and stops me smelling myself! You need to roll it on and let it dry before dressing - fab product.

SueLawleyandNicholasWitchell · 12/03/2016 20:51

I don't think you need to actually get in the shower with her or inspect her armpits. Just explain. Her hair might need washing every other day.

hugoagogo · 12/03/2016 21:06

Is she wearing her blazer everyday because her shirts are thin and she needs a bra?

Anyone might smell a bit at the end of a hot day! She is 13! How can you even think of getting in the shower with her!? Shock

Make sure she has clean clothes and the deodorant of her choice and let her get on with it.

MadauntofA · 12/03/2016 21:07

Mitchum worked here too

MadamDeathstare · 13/03/2016 02:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MummySparkle · 13/03/2016 02:16

I hated taking my jumper off at school because I was really conscious of my sweaty underarms. Mitchum has literally turned my life around! I also think a bra might help. Something like the stretchy comfy crop-top ones that have a bit more shape / support to them. They look like a roa rather than a crop top under a shirt.

Has she got a decent bag to put things in instead of a blazer? Does she wear trousers or a skirt? Is she wearing tights?

differentnameforthis · 13/03/2016 04:50

Deodorant isn't going to last all day, even if they say they do!

Is there any way she can freshen up at break & re-apply deodorant?

For the discharge, it may be time to introduce liners.

Yes, some washing lessons may be worth a go; proper soap and scrub of pits and bits. No soap for her "bits"

My dd wore a thick hoodie before she started with the bras, perhaps it is time to invest in those (bras) too. She does know that a blazer will overheat her body, doesn't she, which will lead to dehydration etc? Daft to wear one in that heat (and we get similar heat, we are in OZ...no way would dd be wearing a blazer in summer)

Original poster
ChocolateJam · 13/03/2016 05:35

I have offered to buy a bra, multiple times, she always turns me down.

She has a bag, she just chooses to put things in her pockets instead. She wears trousers, refuses to wear skirts or dresses.

She is always begging me to shower with her.

OP posts:
Fairylea · 13/03/2016 08:11

I'm going to be honest, it sounds to me like she's extremely self conscious of her developing body and that's why she wants to keep the blazer on all the time even if she won't admit it. My dd is 13 and to be honest any girl their age not wearing at least a crop top would be considered extremely odd - I say that kindly, I don't think being "odd" matters at all outside school but in school teens usually like to try to fit in. I wouldn't ask if she wants a bra, I would just buy some crop tops from next or Primark and leave them out for her. She might find it embarrassing to say "yes" when you ask her outright but might wear them if you just give them to her.

Asking you to shower with her also seems quite strange, there's absolutely no way my dd would want me to shower with her and neither would I want to.

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