One of the first signs of puberty in your child is likely to be new body odour (BO).

Maybe they are a little bit stinkier after their baseball game, or their laundry basket scent is filling up the room.

This is perfectly normal.

Every child will have some body odour as puberty begins.

This often starts as early as age eight or nine.

Pre-teens and teens have body odour from increased apocrine gland sweating.

This means that oil, along with sweat, now comes out of these sweat glands.

Then, bacteria that live on the skin use those oils and release extra smells.

Also, any place your child’s body is growing hair is more likely to hold odour in.

If you notice more body odour coming from your teen, talk to them about ways to help take care of their bodies and limit odour.

It is important to clean your body with soap and water.

This helps wash away odour-causing bacteria, oil and sweat.

You can use an antibacterial soap occasionally if you choose, but most body washes work well for daily use (and help prevent bacterial resistance).

Focus especially on the armpits, feet and groin, washing them with soap and water.

And our scalps also sweat, so do not forget about shampoo.

It is typically recommended to shower daily once you start noticing body odour.

Kids may especially need daily showers if they are very active or in sports.

Talk with your child’s doctor if they have eczema or other skin conditions that might affect specific soap or showering recommendations.

Stick or spray-on deodorant often comes with antiperspirant ingredients in it, such as aluminium salts.

These help decrease the amount of sweat coming out of the glands and prevent odours.

The deodorant part helps cover or hide smells using baking soda, alcohols or fragrances.

Some people get skin irritation from fragrances, perfumes or antiperspirant ingredients.

You can look for deodorants with labels that say “fragrance-free”, “hypoallergenic” or “for sensitive skin”.

There are many “aluminum-free” options nowadays as well.

Some scented body sprays do not contain true deodorant or antiperspirant ingredients.

The fragrance in them is meant to cover up or mask other smells.

However, these products do not always prevent body odour.

Cotton socks or moisture-wicking socks are especially helpful in preventing foot odour, along with changing them often.

Cotton clothing or other natural fabric like linen or wool breathes better and can keep you cooler to avoid sweating and minimising body odour.

Change clothes after working up a sweat from exercise or sports.

Remember that body odour is a normal part of growing up.

The tips above can help your child manage it, but what if these ideas don’t work?

It’s a good idea to talk with the doctor if your child or teen is having constant or excessive sweating, or their sweating is affecting their mental health or social interactions.

The doctor may recommend testing to check for an underlying medical condition that can cause abnormal perspiration and body odour.

They can also discuss treatment options for an uncommon genetic condition called hyperhidrosis, which causes spells of drenching sweat.

Also, talk with your child’s paediatrician if you are noticing body odour or other puberty changes starting earlier than age eight. – By Dr Megan Yanny/American Academy of Pediatrics/Tribune News Service

Dr Megan Yanny is a general paediatrician and an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin in the United States.