Why does dd9 smell funny?

[vhoffman]

My dd is 9.5 years old. Just recently (last few months) she's developed a funny body odor. She hasn't started periods yet.

She showers every night, washes her hair 2-3 x week, always wears clean clothes, and uses a deodorant. I don't get it? Its not typical 'BO' its a rather funny smell. I've known two other people who had the same funny smell, they appeared clean, but that strange smell Those other people I knew were very fair-skinned with strawberry blonde type hair, which is dd's coloring. She's adopted, so if its something genetic I wouldn't have a clue!

I truly am concerned about dd. I remember the other two people I knew with this type of odor seemed to be unaware of it themselves, but they were the object of tacky jokes behind their backs. I certainly don't want dd to go that route! Maybe she should shower in the morning--perhaps she produces some sort of odor at night? But like I said, it isn't typical 'bo'. Well, this sounds like a weird topic, but I'd appreciate any suggesitons!

 

[hvivona]

Try doing the shower in the morning. SHe may be sweating at night. Plus, remember that she's at the age where her hormones are starting to kick in and may be getting close to starting her period. Another thing is look at her diet. I know if I eat any amount of garlic people around me can smell it comeing out of my skin and I can't. If some of this doesn't work check with your doctor. I saw on the Tyra Banks show a woman who had a weird smell that she couldn't smell and others could and it didn't go away no matter how many baths she took and was told it could be genetic our diet related.

 

[ohiominnie]

It's probably a pre-puberty thing. My dd went through the same thing (although she was about 10.5 when it started) She's now 12.5 and still hasn't started her periods. But ?luckily? her "smell" is more the regular BO now. I just think it's hormonal.

You may want to check out dh's podcast. I know he did an episode on body odor. Sorry I can't tell you exactly what episode it was, but it's in the show notes.
www.pediascribe.com/podcast

 

[ohiominnie]

Just a side note....curry causes a funny body odor. We went to school and there were a lot of international students who used a lot of curry. And they had a strange smell. So it could be too much of any one spice, I'd think.

My mom recently told me "I need to use more curry in my recipes, I like the way it tastes." And I nearly cuz I didn't want her smelling like my college days!

 

[vhoffman]

We don't use an excess of any spices, but ds said today that dd "smelled like garlic". I don't think its a garlic smell, maybe that's just something ds heard somewhere, but she does have an odor!

I'm going to try the shower in the morning, but that would mean washing her hair at night, so sometimes 2 showers/day. Also, change her soap--they currently use Jergens mild, its what the ped recommends for any child below puberty age, other soaps can be too harsh, but perhaps dd needs it. I might try a deodorant soap like Dial. I remember during my late teens I had to shower 2x daily, and wash my hair at least one time daily, sometimes 2x daily, just such overactive oil glands. But dd isn't "greasy" that is, she does not have oily skin or hair. Odd, perhaps a bath in baking soda?

BTW, she's so sensitive. I don't have the heart to tell her that she "smells bad", just gently suggest she change some of her hygiene routine. She does have the American Girl book about puberty, forgot its title, perhaps we could review it and emphasize some of the hygiene. But, I don't think its hygiene, its a different kind of smell, I noticed on two other people with the same skin coloring.

 

[NotUrsula]

The odd genetic condition mentioned above is Trimethylaminuria, which is caused by a peculiar enzyme present in their sweat. It can be detected by urinalysis. The smell most commonly is kind of fishy, but I understand that it can smell different on different people, and garlic is one of the things mentioned. If your doctor will test for it, it should be simple to investigate.

 

[vhoffman]

The odd genetic condition mentioned above is Trimethylaminuria, which is caused by a peculiar enzyme present in their sweat. It can be detected by urinalysis. The smell most commonly is kind of fishy, but I understand that it can smell different on different people, and garlic is one of the things mentioned. If your doctor will test for it, it should be simple to investigate.

Wow! Thanks! I've noticed that smell on other people, its not quite a fishy odor, but distinctive. Like I said, its not typical 'bo'.

We'll try changes in her hygiene first, then, if no results, I will discuss it with her ped. Thanks again!

 

[cindar91]

my dd who is also 9 has a very similar smell that my husband notices...I just think its her hormones... I started introducung her to different feminine body sprays at bath and body works...its a special treat...and I've tried to not make her so self concience about it...

 

[jpeka65844]

Your DD is probably too old for this, but my mom says that at her daycare, kids start to smell if they have something lodged in their nose or ear. Just a thought....



Denice T.
Olathe, KS

 

[vhoffman]

Your DD is probably too old for this, but my mom says that at her daycare, kids start to smell if they have something lodged in their nose or ear. Just a thought....



Denice T.
Olathe, KS

Well, maybe. DD does have a history of ear problems, infections, surgeries, etc. she's due for a checkup with her ENT in about a month. I might mention it to him, can't hurt, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Dial soap is a good choice.

 

[Nala2007]

My mom recently told me "I need to use more curry in my recipes, I like the way it tastes." And I nearly cuz I didn't want her smelling like my college days!

OMG that is WAY more funny than I'm sure you intended it to be

 

[ohiominnie]

OMG that is WAY more funny than I'm sure you intended it to be

Not necessarily. I'm a pretty funny gal.

My comment was NOT far from the truth. I don't want to offend any particular nation, but there happens to be one that had a very strong presence at my college and....well, what more can I say than "they had a very strong presence?"

 

[vhoffman]

I really do think it could be her head. She's reaching puberty, getting an oily scalp. She might have to go to washing her hair every night, I did all through my teens and 20's.

I just thought of something last night i had her try--rinsing her hair with vinegar. I used to do that when my hair was oily. Mix about a tbsp of white vinegar in a large pitcher of warm water, rinse with that (after shampooing) then rinse it out. It cuts the final layers of shampoo and scalp grease. She tried it last night, her hair looks almost 2 shades lighter! Need to see how long she can go between shampoos, maybe she can skip a day.

 

[disnutt]

My 11 yo DD has started getting oily hair. I noticed that she smelled 'slimy' the other day when I helped braid her hair. I think she wasn't rinsing her hair thoroughly after washing. I gave her some rinsing tips and told her she needed to wash her hair more often since she's growing up and getting more athletic than she used to be. Seems to be working.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

For her hair you might want to try a Tea Tree oil shampoo(DD14 uses Paul Mitchell brand from Super Cuts, I stock up when it's on sale). For her soap, maybe try Dove, it will not dry out her skin(dial might) which will make her produce more oil to replenish the skin.

 

[mericletwins]

If the smell is a sickly sweet smell, then you'll want to talk to the ped. That is a symptom of diabetes. I'm not sure how much you know of her medical history or if she has had any blood tests lately, but that would be something the ped might want to rule out.

 

[vhoffman]

For her hair you might want to try a Tea Tree oil shampoo(DD14 uses Paul Mitchell brand from Super Cuts, I stock up when it's on sale). For her soap, maybe try Dove, it will not dry out her skin(dial might) which will make her produce more oil to replenish the skin.

Will look into it. Right now she just uses the cheapest I can get, usually suave, just bought some White Rain. Ds plays with the shampoo, so I just get the cheapest I can. But I might need something stronger for her.

Also, you have a point about the soap drying out her skin and thus producing more oil. Right now they both use Jergens, a mild soap, I noticed Costco has a Kirklands brand deodorant/moisturizer soap. Just wish I could get one bar to try out before investing in a lifetime's supply!

 

[vhoffman]

If the smell is a sickly sweet smell, then you'll want to talk to the ped. That is a symptom of diabetes. I'm not sure how much you know of her medical history or if she has had any blood tests lately, but that would be something the ped might want to rule out.

She's adopted and we have very little in the way of medical records but I will bring it up with the ped next visit. However, its not a sweet smell, more like a musty smell, kinda like her clothes have been sitting in a damp hamper for 2 weeks!

 

[Charles Darwin]

before you start consulting doctors, vinegar rinses, etc, why don't you get her to wash her hair more often than twice a week? that would certainally make more sense.