Six-year Old Underarms. . .

Especially since she is embarrassed by the odor, I would personally put her on the anti-perspirant.

You could try deodorant first and see if that works. I am a pretty sweaty person and I tried the crystal deodorant once upon a time and it did nothing for me.

So far there have been no links between anti-perspirant and disease, although some might fear it, based on its chemical components.

Hi K.,

My daughter is 6 yrs old as well and has been using deodorant for about 1 yr now. She uses antiperspirant if we run out of regular/non toxic/organic deodorant. Sometimes if I don't have that I use baby powder. It keeps her fairly dry and less stinky.

Cheers

If she is feeling uncomfortable, give the girl some deodorant. There are mild forms out there or maybe even the clinical kind would be best. My way of thinking is the age appropriateness is attributed directly to the odor. No time to waste.

Tom's of Maine has a natural deodorant. It doesn't have any harsh chemicals found in the anti-perspirants. They sell it most places. I get it at Trader Joe's and Safeway. I started my son on this brand when he was 10, and I use it too.

Mom of 4: girl, boy, boy, and baby due in 4 wks!!!

K., I have three boys...and they started "copying" Dad by putting on deoderant when they were about 2 years old. They shower every day and play sports...but it has never been a problem for them to wear the deoderant. Let her pick one out and she will feel good about the whole thing!

Have fun with your kids! Mom of three!

I agree with the suggestion to try the crystal deodorant available at health food stores. I use it and really like it, especially because it has no real smell so you don't smell scented when you use it. It also doesn't leave you sticky like most other natural deodorants.

I think she's way too young for antiperspirant - I wouldn't want to expose a child to the aluminum in antiperspirants.

Hi K.

I have very sensitive skin, esp when it comes to deodorants (hence, I don't use anti-perspirants) as they are too harsh. However, I have found a deodorant called "natural deodorant" liken plant unscented...
it's herbal based and designed more to control odor than stop you from sweating. I find it works pretty well and better, it doesn't make me breakout which other deodorants do. I am also pleased that it is natural.
Additionally, and you probably already know this, is she drinking lots of water? you know she is IF her urine is clear as oppose to YELLOW, again you probably know about that.
Also I have found if you can limit meat and dairy (and processed foods) all three of these things make the body MORE acidic... and instead, add more fruits and veggies, this will help the body become more alkaline. The more raw food you can eat, the better. I wouldn't necessarily take away but rather ADD more of the fruits/veggies to her diet.
I wish you and her the best.
Also, curious If I may, I have been kinda thinking about adoption (just thinking right now) how did you go about it?
It seems like it can get rather pricey?
if you like, please feel free to contact me, I'd love to hear your story.
Thanks much

Hi K. J -

I am not familiar with the condition and my little guy is only 10 months, but I know Tom's of Maine makes some natural deodorants. You can get them at Trader Joe's or even Target I think. Given her health condition you may want to check with her pediatrician before using anything, though, just to be sure.

Try the Tom's Natural deodorant...you can buy it almost anywhere now...from natural food stores to WalMart.

What a blessing to have such an active daughter in this age of sedentary video game play! Don't let this discourage her. :0)

Hi K.,

6 yrs old may seem a little young for deodorant so you might want to look into organic deodorants, something green and may be safe for your young one. But let me suggest going to the chiropractor for the Renal Tubular Acidosis, her spine might be out of line in the area that affects her kidneys. A little adjustment for her will help TREMENDOUSLY- I promise! I hope this helps. Take care of that little one- she is your awesome gem! God bless you and your kids!

Look on-line for crystal deodorant sticks.

Sweaty arms might be natural cleansing but the stink will still be there. My son at 7yrs, he's 9 now, had to start using deodorant he is very active. He was very stinky. I couldn't believe it was coming from him since he's showers every evening. LOL. Unlike girls, boys don't have all the options out there I just bought him Sure unscented and it works great. Girls have a lot of choices for pre-teen deodorant. Baby powder might work well to, just not sure for how long. My neice is 8 and uses a unscented preteen brand. Hope this helps. Good luck.

God bless you for caring enough to bring children into your home. I was an adopted child, and I just want to say thanks. As for your 6 y/o, have you considered using some kind of powder rather than a anti-perspirant? I use Gold Bond and find it keeps away wetness and odor. I was allergic to so many ingredients in the deodorants, I found I couldn't use them with out getting a rash. Young skin might be the same way. Godd Luck to you both.

I think it is not to early for a deodorant. Imagine someone would tease her about something that is so easily solved. Please make sure you get something that is gentle - I would suggest you go to the Elephant Pharmacy or Whole Foods to find a non-toxic kind. Good Luck.
J.

If I remember corretly it isnt good for kids to use antiperspirant. Deodorant is okay. My 7 year old uses Toms.

Hi K.,
I would feel exactly the same for my child.
I would not use an antiperspirant because sweat is a good cleansing thing - wait til she is older for that.

Antiperspirants are chemicals that we should be wary of.

Use and try many scents of deoderant. Tom's of Maine, Trader Joe's, and of course Whole Foods has others to try. Our bodies react with different scents chemically so she may have to try differ ones. I like lavender, and I love the lemon grass, but she may like differ scents. Deoderants work well, and she may want to carry some with her in her gym bag and reapply before a workout.
And maybe she will need to shower a little more often than most to make herself feel comfortable and confident.
Good luck and hope it helps.

i have used individual packs of rubbing alcohol wipes (like the kind they use before giving shots). it wipes away the bacteria, which is what causes the smell...she could pack some in her backpack, and then use them whenever she feels like she needs them. i don't think i would use bleach, just because that seems pretty toxic. antiperspirants can clog pores and probably aren't that great for kids...but i'm sure deodorant or maybe even just powder might work too.

My 8yr old was having the same problem (stinky underarms) and we tried an antipersprant which just caused him to itch like crazy. We were told that at this age their little bodies can't tolerate the antipersprant just yet but that any plain deoderant would work just fine so we've been doing that. Good Luck.

Anti-perspirants contain ALUMINUM, that will deteriorate her health!!! Usually the smell means she is already TOXIC and needs help...you can always purchase for her deodorant from Trader joe's with no aluminum... and assist her detox with good homeopath!!! Trust me you will see a difference not only in the armpits but in her mood, cognition and health!!!
And I would also check her for CANDIDA (yeast)Causes acidosis and it is very treatable... And checkout the Body Ecology Diet... it really works!!!
Love, G.. :0)
http://stemcellforautism.blogspot.com/

Hi K.,
What a tricky situtation. You don't want your little one embarassed by odor (you don't want to smell it either) but you don't want her exposed to harsh chemicals either. Here are a couple of suggestions (you may already be doing them)

Have her switch from an evening bath to a morning shower, and use an antibacterial bath soap. That way she'll start the day clean.

Make sure she is wearing clean clothes every day (probably already doing but you know sometimes there's that favorite shirt!) and try clean PJs at night.

If all else fails get her deoderant but not antipersperant. It will let her sweat like she should but stop the smell.

HTH, Good luck,
T.

Hi K.,
You may want to try essential oils. These are totally natural and contain no aluminum, like anti-perspirant. The best and safest to use would be lavender. Most essential oils need to be diluted before putting directly onto skin but lavender can be used "neat", meaning directly on to skin. 1-2 drops rubbed on the palms, then on the pits can work wonders! You can buy essential oils at Whole Foods or most any natural food/product store.
Good Luck!
M.
www.solacehealth.com

Hi K.. My friend and I were just having this discussion. She has a healthy 5 year old who just started kindergarten who has the same problem. Just so you know my friend has also had this discussion with a lot of her friends. Apparently this is very common and she ultimately decided to have her daughter wear deodarant because her daughter was embarrased as well as my friend. The daughter carries it around in her little purse so when she needs it she puts it on. My friend is convinced that this is the result of all the hormones and stuff in our food..? Good luck!

Hi I use very rarely but when I do I use this natural toms spray in a cute little bottle an they have great scents-like lavander, apricot and fresh-can gt it at health food store or pharmacy like elephant-do not give your daughter conventional stuff as all that has so many chemicals that cause cancer-L.

Hi K.,

I am adopting my 7 year old niece who has this issue, she has been wearing deoderant for the past two years. I have asked her pediatrician why is that she started so young and has this strong of an odor, his answer is everyones body chemistry is different. I make sure she showers morning and night and uses the Tom's natural deoderant.

Good Luck!

Please start out with plain deoderants. She most likely does not need an anti-perspirant.

Tom's of Maine is a good one.

J/A/S/O/N is a natural brand. I just started using it on my son who is 7.

My daughter wore deoderant at 4 years old. We found she was allergic to the solids so we buy the liquid jells and she does fine with that. She had stinky arm pits. My daughter is very tall for her age. She is now 9 years old. It depends on the child. M.

K.,
All 3 of my girls ages 9,9, and 6 are using deodarant. They are also in gymnastics, competitively and need it. Plus it gets them into the habit of wearing it.
Trish

Hi, if I were in your place and the odor was a concern I would get the crystal deodorant that is sold at most health food stores and probably in most stores at this point. Both my husband and I use it and it works really well. It has no chemicals or aluminum in it and it is just the minerals from the crystal that make it effective. It comes in many a few types of applicators and some types look just like regular deodorant. I highly recommend it as a safe, effective, and natural deodorant. Good luck, it sounds as if you have an amazing little girl!

I would try just a plain deodorant first (much safer) like Tom's of Maine. The apricot scented one is pleasant.

Hi K.,

Wow, you are a busy woman. I commend you for adopting three kids on your own and working to boot.

I am wary of anti-perspirant: it usually has aluminum is some form or another, which has been linked to Alzheimers, and some say it can lead to blocked lymph nodes, or even cancer of the lymph system. It's a risk many are willing to take, and many also don't even consider a risk at all. There are lots of good products out there without metals or other strange ingredients. I use a lavender roll-on deoderant I buy at the natural food store, and it's great. I also have a problem finding something that works, but I'm sticking with this now. Good luck!

Since body odor is caused by bacteria, not the actual sweat coming from skin, you may try a little bit of antibactierial ointment on her underarms - like Neosporin or something like that. Maybe apply overnight or in the morning with some baby powder. It has worked for me and doesn't irritate the skin at all.

There are a few natural deodorants. You probalby don't want her to use anti-persperant at her age, it clogs the sweat glads. Just a regular deoderant should be just fine. My girls are 9 and have used regular natural deodorant since they were 7, they also are very active and get a little smelly. Toms brand is what we have, we picked it up at Target.

I'd never ever use anti perspirant on a child (or anyone). We need to sweat, to get out toxins for one thing. Plus anti-perspirants contain harmful chemicals. Instead, if she is self-conscious and a daily shower doesn't do the trick, try some natural deoderant with a nice aroma. There are many natural ones. Many herbs/plants help block or neutralize the odor. Try a natural pharmacy. I like the MiEssence deoderant, a roll-on. Available thru consultants, plus it's organic better yet! I can give you my friend's name. I also like calendula deoderants (Tom's of Maine has one). By the way my 10 yr old started having an odor at 9, so it cam happen young. So far a shower is adequate, she (and we) don't mind a tiny smell :-)

If possible, have her eat more green leafy vegetables to help maintain her alkaline levels. Dr. Tony O'Donnell has produced a green powder that helps to create a more alkaline state in the body, and it is amazing. It is produced by a company called Isagenix for Dr. Tony, and the product name is Healthy Greens!
Once the pH is more alkaline, your daughter may find some relief, as the body knows how to fix things given the right tools. See his book - "Miracle Super Foods That Heal".
Just a thought.

Funny you should post this today. My six year old granddaughter asked me just this morning if she could use anti-perspirant. I said yes and helped her to do it. If your daughter has an odor and she's embarassed by it, then most definitely let her use anti-perspirant. There are natural deodorants out there - Uncle Tom's I believe.