My Son Has A Stinky Head

[Christine]

My poor DS (10). His head never smells "clean." He washes his hair in the shower every night and he smells good. By the time he wakes up, it's just starting to smell like, hmmmm, his hair is dirty. Don't know how else to describe it. Then the other day my best friend's DD told him his hair smelled funny.

Now, his hair is not oily and he is not sweating. In fact, he has very dry skin and eczema. I'm wondering if this is some sort of adolescent "cradle cap" or something--although his scalp looks normal.

Is this just a boy thing. My mom said that some people just have smelly heads???

Any ideas?

 

[phillybeth]

Could just be those hormones kicking in. His natural oils are getting an odor. If it's a problem have him shower in the morning.

 

[dis4me]

aww can he use a strong smelling gel or something if he can't shower in the morning? It may mask the smell just make sure it doesn't make it worse.

 

[Christine]

aww can he use a strong smelling gel or something if he can't shower in the morning? It may mask the smell just make sure it doesn't make it worse.

Well, lately he's being using a HUGE amount of my VERY expensive Aveda conditioner which does a good job of giving him a lingering, good smell. But that's stuff is too expensive.

I tried buying him some of the strong smelling shampoos like Clairol Herbal Essence but they just end up smelling weird after they wear off.

 

[Tracey1974]

It may be his pillow/case- DH sweats sometimes at night and his pillowcase gets gross. We go through too many pillows/cases in our house. Maybe his head is sweating at night?

 

[swilphil]

Suave has a lot of knock-offs of Aveda products. They also have some men only products. I'd get new shampoo, conditioner and hair gel. It also might help if he wears some sort of cologne--but not TOO MUCH!

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Have you tried having him shower in the morning? He will be a good 12 hours ahead of his hormones.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When they start smelling it is time for morning showers. My dd who is 14 could go to bed squeaky clean but by the time she wakes up .

 

[golfgal]

Are you sure he is actually washing his hair with shampoo? DS would take a 40 minute shower and never touch the soap or shampoo. My kids get that "stale" kid smell at times too.

 

[Christine]

When they start smelling it is time for morning showers. My dd who is 14 could go to bed squeaky clean but by the time she wakes up .

I guess this is the way we are heading. Problem is, we have to be out of the house by 5:40 a.m. each morning. So, I've got me taking a shower at 4:40, DD taking one right after me, and then there seems not enough time for one more person to shower.

 

[Christine]

Are you sure he is actually washing his hair with shampoo? DS would take a 40 minute shower and never touch the soap or shampoo. My kids get that "stale" kid smell at times too.

Yes, he is. Even I go in and scrub his head sometimes.

 

[MELSMICE]

I guess this is the way we are heading. Problem is, we have to be out of the house by 5:40 a.m. each morning. So, I've got me taking a shower at 4:40, DD taking one right after me, and then there seems not enough time for one more person to shower.

Sounds like it's time for another bathroom or a new house!!! (just kidding )

Yeah, it sounds like he may need to shower in the morning - or at least wash his hair in the sink each morning, even after showering in the evening.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I guess this is the way we are heading. Problem is, we have to be out of the house by 5:40 a.m. each morning. So, I've got me taking a shower at 4:40, DD taking one right after me, and then there seems not enough time for one more person to shower.

Perhaps you can squeeze ds after you? DD is going to have to give up time. That is a tough schedule!!!! 4:40 shower for you!!!

 

[ReneeA]

Ugh...you gave me a look at my future

My 2 y.o. DD is a smelly kid. I bathe her at least every other day (it usually ends up being every day since I can't stand the smell) She sweats like crazy...I can be freezing, and she's so hot that the sweat is just beading up on her. I asked the doctor about it, and he said some people are just warmer than others and she's fine. Since I brought her home from the hospital she's had a stale, sour smell to her hair and skin. I have tried every soap and shampoo under the sun, but nothing helps.

I'm not looking forward to puberty and hormones...

ReneeA

 

[Christine]

Perhaps you can squeeze ds after you? DD is going to have to give up time. That is a tough schedule!!!! 4:40 shower for you!!!

Yes, that's why I'm crazy.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I can give some advice on how to handle the morning shower schedule.

I grew up with 11 siblings and ONE bathroom. It is time to teach your kids how to take 5 minute showers. We also had a "bathroom is for toilet, shower, teeth only" No getting dressed or primping in the bathroom, move in, move out. Get dressed in your room.

My mom actually had a bathroom schedule, we all had an alotted time for our turn. it was 15 minutes, If we went past our 15 minutes, we could easily have been removed from the bathroom. If you cherished your privacy in my house, you made sure you were finished in your 15 minutes.

 

[meandtheguys2]

DS11 was stinky too. Bought a shampoo that had tea tree oil in it and it has made a world of difference!

 

[clarabelle]

I vote for the shampoo in the sink idea
Tea tree oil sounds good as well
My daughter gets what I call the "hair smell" if she goes too long without shampooing -I know what you are talking about
What about some of the leave in conditioner sprays? (you said his hair is not oily?) so that might help -he could spritz with that in the am.

 

[Christine]

Well, it looks like I'll have to try some new products this weekend!

Tea Tree Oil Shampoo
Spray in Conditioner

Thanks!

 

[Pop Daddy]

copy this thread and show it to his kids someday, they will love it