What Is Body Odor?
Quick Answer
Body odor is the smell that happens when sweat from special glands mixes with bacteria on your skin. During puberty, your body starts making a new kind of sweat that didn't exist before, which is why you might start to notice a smell under your arms. Using deodorant, showering regularly, and wearing clean clothes are easy ways to handle it.
Explaining By Age Group
Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation
You know how after you run around and play really hard, you get all sweaty? Sweat is just water that comes out of your skin to help cool you down, kind of like your body's own sprinkler system. Most of the time, sweat doesn't really smell like anything!
But sometimes, when bigger kids and grown-ups sweat, it can start to smell a little stinky. That's called body odor. It happens because tiny things called bacteria that live on your skin mix with the sweat, and together they make a smell.
Body odor is totally normal and nothing to be embarrassed about. Everyone gets it! That's why people take baths and showers — to wash away the sweat and the bacteria so they smell clean again.
When you get bigger, you might start to notice body odor too. When that happens, you'll start using something called deodorant. It's a special stick or cream you put under your arms to help you smell fresh. It's just a normal part of growing up!
Ages 6-8 More Detail
Your body sweats to cool you down when you're hot or when you exercise. Most of the sweat you make right now doesn't smell like much at all. But during puberty, your body starts making a different kind of sweat from new sweat glands, especially under your arms. This new sweat is thicker and has more stuff in it.
The sweat itself doesn't actually stink. The smell happens when tiny bacteria that live on your skin eat the sweat. When the bacteria break down the sweat, they create that stinky smell we call body odor. So it's really the bacteria causing the smell, not the sweat by itself.
Body odor is completely normal and happens to every single person once they start puberty. There is nothing wrong with you if you start to notice a smell. It just means your body is growing up and changing, which is a good thing!
The great news is that body odor is really easy to deal with. Taking a shower or bath every day, especially after sports or playing outside, washes away the sweat and bacteria. Wearing clean clothes each day helps too, because dirty clothes can hold onto the smell.
You can also start using deodorant, which you put under your arms. Deodorant helps cover up or stop the smell. You can ask a parent to help you pick one out. Most kids start using deodorant sometime between ages 8 and 12, but there's no wrong time to start.
Ages 9-12 Full Explanation
During puberty, your body turns on a second set of sweat glands that you've had since birth but never really used before. These glands are mostly in your armpits and groin area. Unlike the regular sweat glands that just produce salty water to cool you off, these new glands produce a thicker sweat that contains fats and proteins.
Here's the thing — that sweat itself is actually odorless when it first comes out. The smell happens when bacteria that naturally live on your skin break down the proteins and fats in the sweat. The byproducts of that breakdown are what create body odor. So it's really a teamwork situation between sweat and bacteria that creates the stink.
Body odor usually shows up sometime between ages 8 and 14, and it's often one of the first signs of puberty. Some kids notice it before other changes like growth spurts or voice changes. It's completely normal, and every adult you know went through the same thing. There's no reason to feel embarrassed, but there are definitely things you can do about it.
The most important thing is good daily hygiene. Showering every day, especially after sports or gym class, makes a huge difference because it washes away both the sweat and the bacteria. Pay extra attention to your armpits when you wash. Wearing clean clothes every day matters too — bacteria can hang around in yesterday's shirt and keep making smells even after you've showered.
Deodorant and antiperspirant are your best friends here. Deodorant covers up the smell or kills the bacteria that cause it. Antiperspirant actually reduces how much you sweat. Many products do both. Put it on in the morning after your shower, and bring some in your bag if you have gym class. If you're not sure what to get, ask a parent or just grab an unscented one to start.
A few other tips: wearing breathable fabrics like cotton instead of polyester helps because cotton absorbs sweat better. Changing your socks daily and airing out your shoes can help with foot odor too. And if you feel like your body odor is really strong even with good hygiene, it's worth mentioning to your doctor — they can make sure everything is fine and might have extra suggestions.
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Tips for Parents
Body odor can be a challenging topic to discuss with your child. Here are some practical tips to help guide the conversation:
DO: Follow your child's lead. Let them ask questions at their own pace rather than overwhelming them with information they haven't asked for yet. If they seem satisfied with a simple answer, that's okay — they'll come back with more questions when they're ready.
DO: Use honest, age-appropriate language. You don't need to share every detail, but avoid making up stories or deflecting. Kids can sense when you're being evasive, and honesty builds trust.
DO: Validate their feelings. Whatever emotion your child has in response to learning about body odor, acknowledge it. Say things like 'It makes sense that you'd feel that way' or 'That's a really good question.'
DON'T: Don't dismiss their curiosity. Responses like 'You're too young for that' or 'Don't worry about it' can make children feel like their questions are wrong or shameful. If you're not ready to answer, say 'That's an important question. Let me think about the best way to explain it, and we'll talk about it tonight.'
DO: Create an ongoing dialogue. One conversation usually isn't enough. Let your child know that they can always come back to you with more questions about body odor. This makes them more likely to come to you rather than seeking potentially unreliable sources.
Common Follow-Up Questions Kids Ask
After discussing body odor, your child might also ask:
At what age should kids start wearing deodorant?
There's no set age — it depends on when your body starts making that new puberty sweat. Some kids need deodorant at age 8 or 9, others not until 12 or 13. A good rule is to start when you or a parent first notice body odor.
What's the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant?
Deodorant fights the smell by covering it up or killing the bacteria that cause it. Antiperspirant reduces how much you sweat by temporarily blocking your sweat glands. Many products are both deodorant and antiperspirant combined.
Why do my feet smell so bad?
Your feet have more sweat glands than almost any other part of your body, and shoes trap all that sweat in a warm, dark place where bacteria love to grow. Wearing clean socks every day, letting shoes dry out between wears, and washing your feet well in the shower all help.
Does eating certain foods make body odor worse?
Yes, some foods like garlic, onions, and spicy foods can actually change how your sweat smells. The compounds in these foods get into your sweat and can make body odor stronger. But basic hygiene like showering and using deodorant still works great.
Is it normal to sweat a lot during puberty?
Absolutely. During puberty, your sweat glands become more active, so you'll probably sweat more than you used to. Sweating during sports, when it's hot, or when you're nervous is all completely normal.
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