Growing up is a tough job. Not only do youngsters have to deal with growing peer pressure and rising expectations, their own bodies seem to turn against them as well. Wildly fluctuating hormones turn emotions into a roller coaster, and parents seem to get dumber by the second. To top it all off, they have to deal with the growing stink emanating from their own bodies. At least there’s the remedy of deodorant for the odor problem. But at what age is the use of deodorant appropriate?  Many parents don’t want to rush into the troubles of the teenage years, and are unsure when to start purchasing deodorant for kids. Or that they may want to purchase natural deodorant for boys

 

The general rule of thumb is that kids need to start using deodorant when they start going through puberty. Females generally start puberty between the ages of eight and thirteen, and males begin puberty between nine and fourteen. Most children will not need deodorant until these ages. However, these are general guidelines and individual children may have varying needs.

Parents who notice that their children are beginning to have body odor should consider a few basic factors first. Growing children need to shower daily, preferably in the morning, to limit the amount of time bacteria are growing on the skin. Loose-fitting cotton clothes can also help reduce sweating. Additionally, children that participate in sports or other strenuous activity will sweat more than others and will have a tendency to need deodorant sooner.

 

If it becomes apparent that a younger child needs deodorant, there are several options available. There are many commercially produced types of deodorant for kids, but some parents feel uncomfortable with the chemical components of these options. In most cases, using natural deodorants that contain mineral salts as the active ingredient can be the safest option for children. It is also fairly simple to make homemade variations of a natural deodorant for kids using everyday items such as witch hazel or baking soda.

 

 

Additionally, it’s important to know the difference between deodorant for kids and antiperspirant. Deodorants use various compounds to make the skin more acidic, which makes it difficult for bacteria in the skin to reproduce. It is these bacteria, not sweat, that actually cause odor. On the other hand, antiperspirants prevent the body from sweating by blocking pores in the skin with very finely ground powders such as aluminum. Many health professionals strongly recommend that they never be used on a child, as they can interfere with the body’s natural cooling mechanisms. Aluminum-based antiperspirants can also cause aluminum to build up in the body, which can lead to long-term problems such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
Of course, it is always a good idea to check with a pediatrician if a young child needs to use deodorant. There are some very rare but serious conditions that can also present as early onset pubescent odor. In particular, some thyroid conditions may cause excessive body odor, and low calcium levels can result in excessive sweating.  Before purchasing deodorant for kids, particularly if they are under the age of eight, a physical exam can rule out any of these potential problems.  However, in most cases, early onset of body odor is simply a symptom of growing up and can be addressed with a simple deodorant for kids with no additional treatment.