My Son Has A Stinky Head

[Christine]

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

Oh, I think he'd be quite mortified now!

 

[Kermit]

I was going to suggest shampoo with tea tree oil, too. This same subject came up on another board I visit just the other day, and many people had had success with it. Some of them just stirred tea tree oil into regular shampoo.

 

[Christine]

I was going to suggest shampoo with tea tree oil, too. This same subject came up on another board I visit just the other day, and many people had had success with it. Some of them just stirred tea tree oil into regular shampoo.

You know, tea tree oil is a long-used anti-fungal ingredient. That's why I wonder if this "stinky head syndrome" isn't some sort of medical problem (but one that I can't see). The rest of him smells fine.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I think taking a shower in the morning would clean him up.

It sounds like he is either an active sleeper or just active in general. My son gets 'stinky head' from time to time, so I make sure he showers daily in the morning. I buy "bake to basic" shampoo ~ Gardier Fruitious is also very good (strong and fruity). I think it's pre-teen hormones mixed in with active based children. Does he brush his hair? Or is it short enough that he just gels it and runs?

 

[Christine]

I think taking a shower in the morning would clean him up.

It sounds like he is either an active sleeper or just active in general. My son gets 'stinky head' from time to time, so I make sure he showers daily in the morning. I buy "bake to basic" shampoo ~ Gardier Fruitious is also very good (strong and fruity). I think it's pre-teen hormones mixed in with active based children. Does he brush his hair? Or

His hair is short and he doesn't use any "products" so to speak. He uses whatever shampoo I have: right now it is Alterna and ISO Texture. But, he's tried all kinds of things with the same result. He doesn't really brush his hair, just combs it into place when it's wet and that's it. Oh, to have the life of a guy!!!

 

[ElizK]

Does he go to bed with wet hair or sweat a lot at night? It's quite possible that his pillow has mildewed. Have you tried replacing his pillow?

 

[Puffy2]

When was the last time your son had a check up at the pediatrican's office?

Sometimes weird smells or tastes or other bizzare things can be a symptom of an illness. I would at least take him in for a check up and discuss it.

 

[Christine]

When was the last time your son had a check up at the pediatrican's office?

Sometimes weird smells or tastes or other bizzare things can be a symptom of an illness. I would at least take him in for a check up and discuss it.

He just had a full physical over the summer and, of course, I forgot to mention it.

Also, his hair is dry when he goes to bed and he has an "allergen" pillow that is sort of a vinyl covered pillow.

 

[Puffy2]

If it were me (and I'm a nurse) I'd make him an appointment and take him in to discuss it with your doctor. At the very least, if it's nothing the doc may have some suggestions.

 

[Rex Rules]

Aveda makes a great product that might be perfect for your son.

It is called Light Elements Reviving Mist.

Here is the description from the website www.aveda.com

Benefits.

This weightless mist refreshes hair and reactivates style without washing. Perfect for an active lifestyle-after the gym, a night out, or just waking up-or to help restore moisture to hair, without buildup.
Refreshes and moisturizes hair
Reactivates existing styling products without adding weight
For all hair types

It is a bit on the pricey side, though.

http://www.aveda.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY6157&PRODUCT_ID=PROD5931#

DD prefers to bathe at night before bed, so we use this in the mornings and she is good to go - also takes care of cow licks that pop up overnight.

 

[golfgal]

He just had a full physical over the summer and, of course, I forgot to mention it.

Also, his hair is dry when he goes to bed and he has an "allergen" pillow that is sort of a vinyl covered pillow.

This might be the problem right here. I bet his head is sweating from the vinyl on the pillow. Maybe try a different pillow and see if that helps. You can get cloth covers for the pillow if he is asthmatic and needs the allergen pillow.

 

[Christine]

Aveda makes a great product that might be perfect for your son.

It is called Light Elements Reviving Mist.

Here is the description from the website www.aveda.com

Benefits.

This weightless mist refreshes hair and reactivates style without washing. Perfect for an active lifestyle-after the gym, a night out, or just waking up-or to help restore moisture to hair, without buildup.
Refreshes and moisturizes hair
Reactivates existing styling products without adding weight
For all hair types

It is a bit on the pricey side, though.

http://www.aveda.com/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY6157&PRODUCT_ID=PROD5931#

DD prefers to bathe at night before bed, so we use this in the mornings and she is good to go - also takes care of cow licks that pop up overnight.

I just LOVE Aveda products. They are pricey but I have never been disappointed in them. I will have to look for that because it might be all he needs. He's VERY slow moving in the morning and I really am not ready to deal with him showering until he can move a little faster.

 

[Serena]

I too think it's time for a shower more often. Poor kid. And poor you, 4am, that's early.

 

[Disney Doll]

If his pillow is vinyl-covered, that may be making his head sweat at night, hence the AM odor.

Try a fresh pillowcase each night as well...it'll increase your laundry, but it may make his head smell better. Drag him out of bed and have him shampoo his hair again in the morning....doesn't necessarily need a whole shower, but a shampoo in the kitchen sink takes 3 minutes.

Try the tea tree oil...that sounds like your best bet as far as what to add to the shampoo.

If all else fails, consider a dermatologist. Perhaps he has some sort of a skin condition, even though you can't see anything.

The teenage years are so hard!!!!!

 

[jajuan]

My DS12 has the same problem. We went to the dermatologist. He gave him some medicated shampoo for the (for lack of a better word) kid cradle cap. My son showers in the morning EVERY morning. If I hug him and my head is in his hair, I gag. Luckily, he is getting too tall for that...lol. Anyway, smell has never gone away. I am going to try tea tree oil shampoo. If you find it anywhere, let me know

 

[floridafam]

My DS 9 has the exact same problem. His hair will start to stink within hours of a shower.

He does have a little bit of "kid cradle cap."

We've been trying for months to figure out why hois head smells.

He has a regular pillow. He does have asthma and I thought it might be from his asthma medication.

 

[Cebhfhionn]

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?

Oh my goodness, I never really put too much thought into but my DS(10) has the same issue. He takes a shower and washes and then shortly after that, his hair smells like a dog.

I'm curious to see the responses to this.

 

[ElizaB39]

My DD has stinky head too. She can wash her hair at night and it smells again inthe am. I just can't see any guy wanting to "bury his head in her hair" one day. Oh wait, that is a good thing right?

I too will try the tea tree oil.


Also the the pede when we go next month.

 

[Rex Rules]

Forgot to mention something - even though the Aveda reviving mist is on the expensive side, a bottle lasts and lasts, you don't need to saturate the hair, just several spritzes (is that a word??).
We just discovered it in the last several months, before that we did The anti tangle spray, but I would have to blow dry afterward. Our biggest problem is the dreaded cowlicks - DD says Mommy please do something with the horns!! I try not to laugh.

 

[Christine]

his hair smells like a dog.

I'm curious to see the responses to this.

Perfect description. He smells like a dog after a few hours of washing.