Stinky Hair

[2China2009]

My DD is 9 and has beautiful soft Chinese black hair, but it stinks. At first I thought she was not shampooing correctly so I took over hair washing and did notice things were slightly better. But overall t smells bad. She showers every other day. Has any parent had this issue at all. What should I do about it. We use Aussie shampoo and conditioner and also use Paul Mitchell clarifying shampoo about every 3 wash. What else should I try? Does anyone think vinegar would work etc. Someone told me that head and shoulders would be worth a try also. I would so appreciate any idea's.

 

[kashzan]

strange first post

 

[L&Lfan]

Cam and Mitchell, is that you?

 

[2China2009]

What is strange about this post? My DD who is 9 was adopted from China in 2008 for whomever may be questioning it.

 

[camreesmom]

Is it her hair that smells bad or just the scalp?

 

[Liberty Belle]

What is strange about this post? My DD who is 9 was adopted from China in 2008 for whomever may be questioning it.

They're saying it's a strange first post. Most people tend to find these forums due to an interest in Disney (planning a trip, etc) and then find the community board after they'd asked a few Disney-related questions.

I don't know why your daughter would have stinky hair if she washes it regularly unless: someone in the family smokes, her pillow and case are not clean, maybe the car seat she uses is unclean, etc. She's a little young to be entering puberty, so I doubt that is a factor.

 

[pryncess527]

Hormonal imbalance seems like the most likely cause if it's not a hygiene issue. I might take her for a check up

 

[PrincessShmoo]

She's a little young to be entering puberty, so I doubt that is a factor.

While on the lower side, 9 is within the range of puberty onset. It's typically between 8 and 13.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

She likely needs to wash her hair daily. I know I did at that age when my hair was super thick. Clarifying shampoo might be needed every other wash.

 

[bjscheel]

I'm not a fan of Aussie, there are lots of other brands you can try. Maybe what you are using is too harsh. My daughter had oily scalp and I tried the strong shampoos for oily hair but I think it just backfired and made her scalp produce more oil to compensate. Using a gentler, sulfate-free shampoo was the unexpected solution. Loreal makes several sulfate free varieties.

 

[cabanafrau]

I'm not a fan of Aussie, there are lots of other brands you can try. Maybe what you are using is too harsh. My daughter had oily scalp and I tried the strong shampoos for oily hair but I think it just backfired and made her scalp produce more oil to compensate. Using a gentler, sulfate-free shampoo was the unexpected solution. Loreal makes several sulfate free varieties.

I think this is very good advice. Gentler and more natural solutions is more likely to produce a good result IMO. A vinegar rinse is another low impact option that I don't think can hurt.

 

[Lynne M]

Yeah, look for something without SLS (sodium laureth sulfate). A lot of the drugstore brands like Aussie contain that, and it strips the oils right off the scalp, which, paradoxically, can lead to over-secretion of oils to correct the dryness.

Try something like this.

Honest Perfectly Gentle Shampoo & Body Wash

It's made for babies, so it's extremely gentle but cleans thoroughly. No harsh chemicals. You can find it at Target and Costco, and the larger grocery stores like Wegmans also might carry it. You can also buy it direct at the link above.

If that doesn't help, run it by your pediatrician, just in case there's an infection going on.

 

[jdb in AZ]

One of my nieces was a bit younger than OP's DD, and she really stunk. Her mom finally took her to the pediatrician who diagnosed a bad sinus infection. Turns out she had been shredding her sponge curlers and sticking them up her nose. Kids do strange things. Some stranger than others. The doctor removed the sponges and after a bad bloody nose, the kid immediately smelled better.

 

[DLgal]

I would guess the logical first step is a daily shower and shampoo. Every other day showering for a 9 year old is kinda icky...that is the age they start to smell.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Try coconut oil.

 

[dclpluto]

keep washing it until it stops stinking. Than wash it everyday or twice a day. I have little hair take close clippers to it and I wash mine twice a day. There was a thread on here not too long ago about ladies and how long they go without washing their hair.

 

[lizabu]

I would take her to the doctor to rule out any thing medical

 

[dclpluto]

I did a quick google search and it saids to use baking soda. I just think you just need to wash it over and over again like I said before until it stops stinking.

 

[DLgal]

I would take her to the doctor to rule out any thing medical

I mean, maybe. But why not simply try daily washing to start with. Switch up the shampoo if the one being used doesn't smell good.

Why does everyone jump to "go see a doctor" for such minor issues? It's smelly hair. It's dirty...wash it!

My 10 year old sometimes has stinky hair... it's because he's lazy about really scrubbing it in the shower. He's 10. This kid is 9...same deal.

 

[lizabu]

I mean, maybe. But why not simply try daily washing to start with. Switch up the shampoo if the one being used doesn't smell good.

Why does everyone jump to "go see a doctor" for such minor issues? It's smelly hair. It's dirty...wash it!

My 10 year old sometimes has stinky hair... it's because he's lazy about really scrubbing it in the shower. He's 10. This kid is 9...same deal.

Ok except the original poster said the kid is washing her hair.