A process called adrenache can occur in children aged around six to eight years old, which results in them developing body odour, among other things. (This visual is human-created, AI-aided)
“Doctor, my child smells... under the arms. Is this normal? Is it too early for puberty?”
Body odour in children can be surprising and worrying for parents, especially when it appears in a young child who otherwise looks very much like a child and not a teenager.
Many parents fear that something is wrong or that puberty has started too early.
The good news is that, in most cases, childhood body odour is common, harmless and not a sign of early puberty.
Let’s talk about why body odour happens, what hormones are involved, when to worry and what parents can safely do to help their child.
What causes body odour?
Sweat itself does not smell.
Body odour happens when sweat mixes with bacteria on the skin.
The bacteria break down proteins and fats in sweat, producing the familiar smell we recognise as body odour.
Our bodies have two main types of sweat glands:
- Eccrine glands
These are found all over the body.
They produce watery sweat mainly to cool us down.
This sweat usually does not cause body odour.
- Apocrine glands
These are found in areas such as the armpits and groin.
These glands produce a thicker sweat that contains proteins and fats.
When bacteria break this down, body odour develops.
Apocrine glands are the main reason why body odour develops.
Not always puberty
Many parents associate body odour with puberty, and that makes sense.
During puberty, increasing amounts of sex hormones activate the apocrine sweat glands, leading to stronger body odour.
However, body odour can appear even before puberty, and this is where adrenal hormones come in.
The adrenal glands – the small glands that sit on top of the kidneys – produce hormones called androgens, particularly DHEA and DHEA-S.
These hormones increase in amount gradually from around six to eight years of age in a normal process called adrenarche.
Adrenarche is not puberty.
It does not mean:
- Breast development in girls
- Testicular enlargement in boys, or
- Growth spurts typical of puberty.
What adrenarche can cause includes:
- Body odour
- Greasy skin or hair
- Mild acne
- Fine hair in the armpits or pubic area.
This is a normal developmental phase for many children.
To reiterate, on its own, body odour does not mean early puberty.
Doctors only become concerned about early puberty when body odour is accompanied by:
- Breast development in girls before eight years of age
- Testicular enlargement in boys before nine years of age
- Rapid growth in height
- Voice deepening in boys
- Significant pubic hair development.
If body odour is the only sign, then puberty is unlikely.
Other common causes
Besides hormones, several everyday factors can contribute to body odour. These include:
- Poor ventilation and sweating (e.g. due to hot weather, sports or tight clothing)
- Synthetic fabrics that trap sweat
- Incomplete washing of the armpits
- Certain foods such as garlic, onion and strong spices
- Normal skin bacteria differences – some people simply have stronger-smelling sweat.
Medical conditions such as skin infections or metabolic disorders, may cause unusual smells, but these are rare.
When should parents worry?
While most cases of body odour are normal, parents should seek medical advice if it is associated with:
- Very early onset (before six to seven years of age)
- Rapid progression of other early pubertal signs as mentioned above
- Advanced growth, i.e. the child becoming much taller than their peers quickly
- Severe acne or coarse pubic hair
- Virilisation signs (e.g. deep voice in boys and abnormal enlargement of the clitoris, medically known as clitoromegaly, in girls)
- Strong, unusual or persistent odour that does not improve with hygiene practices.
These situations may require assessment by a paediatrician or paediatric endocrinologist.
What can parents do?
Simple daily habits can make a big difference when it comes to managing strong body odour. These include:
- Daily bathing, especially after sports or a bout of sweating
- Thorough washing of armpits with mild soap
- Drying the skin well after bathing
- Loose, breathable cotton clothing
- Changing clothes daily, especially undergarments
- Encouraging hydration, which can dilute sweat.
Teaching children about personal hygiene early helps build confidence and healthy habits.
One of the most common questions parents ask is: Are deodorants safe for children?
Yes, deodorants are generally safe for children when used appropriately.
Parents should be aware though that there is a difference between deodorants and antiperspirants, both of which are commonly available on the market.
Deodorants reduce smell by killing bacteria or masking the odour.
Meanwhile, antiperspirants reduce sweating by blocking the sweat glands.
For younger children:
- Start with mild, fragrance-free deodorants
- Avoid strong antiperspirants unless needed
- Test on a small area first to check for skin irritation.
Children with sensitive skin may benefit from:
- Roll-ons instead of sprays
- Products labelled for sensitive skin
- Avoiding deodorants with strong perfumes.
There is no strong scientific evidence that occasional deodorant use causes hormonal problems in children.
Children may feel embarrassed or ashamed if their body odour is pointed out in a harsh, or even teasing or joking, manner.
As a parent or caregiver, do approach the topic gently by:
- Keeping your tone calm and matter-of-fact
- Emphasising that it is a normal body change
- Teaching hygiene as a life skill, not a punishment.
A supportive approach protects a child’s self-esteem.
The bottom line
Body odour in children is common and usually normal.
In many cases, it is linked to natural adrenal hormone changes and not early puberty.
Good hygiene and simple lifestyle measures are often all that is needed.
Parents should watch for the red flags mentioned above, but also feel reassured that most children with body odour are healthy and developing normally.
If in doubt, speak to your paediatrician or paediatric endocrinologist.
Dr Jeanne Wong Sze Lyn is a consultant paediatrician and paediatric endocrinologist. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
