Body Odor In Toddlers: Is It Normal?

If your toddler has pungent sweat, you may want to check their diet and health.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Murtaza Kamal, MD Dr. Murtaza Kamal Dr. Murtaza KamalMD Follow MomJunction on TwitterFollow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: PediatricsExperience: 5 years
Written by , M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Swati Patwal M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Food, Nutrition and HealthExperience: 10 years
Edited by , BSc, MBA Rohit Garoo BSc, MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Baby Health and WellnessExperience: 9 years
Fact-checked by , M.Tech Shinta Liz Sunny M.Tech Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 4 years
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Body Odor In Toddlers

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Body odor or bromhidrosis is the unpleasant or foul smell produced by the breakdown of the acids in the sweat by bacteria (1). Though it is common in adults, body odor in toddlers is uncommon because they don’t have sufficient fatty acids and ammonia in their sweat, which can trigger bacterial action. Yet, a toddler may develop body odor due to several reasons.

For instance, if body odor occurs in places like armpits, it could indicate an underlying illness. In some toddlers, armpit odor may develop due to bacterial overgrowth or an underlying infection (2). Keep reading to understand the symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of body odor in toddlers.

In This Article

Key Pointers

  • The bacterial breakdown of the acids in sweat results in body odor, also known as bromhidrosis.
  • Although rare, bacterial overgrowth or an underlying infection might cause body odor in children.
  • Additionally, some diets, hyperactive sweat glands, parasites, and unusual metabolic diseases may contribute to body odor in toddlers.
  • Pungent odors, especially in the armpits or other regions of the body, are signs of body odor in children.
  • Teaching toddlers basic hygiene skills, taking regular baths, cleaning bedding and clothing, avoiding specific foods, and contacting a dietician are all ways to prevent body odor in kids.

Is Body Odor Normal In Toddlers?

Body odor in children who have not reached puberty is not uncommon. However, research studies on prepubescentiThe stage of development before puberty children with body odor are limited (3). Thus, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends paying attention to body odor among children who have not yet reached puberty (4).

What Causes Body Odor In Toddlers?

Apart from bacterial infections, a few other factors could contribute to body odor in toddlers (2).

  • A few toddlers may have body odor after eating certain foods like non-organic dairy products, meat, eggs, and spicy food.
  • It may also be due to the presence of parasites in the body.

Infographic: Personal Hygiene For Toddlers

hygiene and bathing for toddlers (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

  • Some toddlers may have hyperactive sweat glands, due to a condition called hyperhidrosis, which produces more sweat causing excessive body odor and wetness.
Excessive sweat can cause body odor in toddlers

Image: Shutterstock

  • A rare condition called ‘fish odor syndrome’ may cause a fishy smell in the person’s breath, urine, and sweat. It is a result of genetic abnormality, and the stench may or may not be noticed immediately after birth.
protip_icon Quick fact
Arsenic poisoning is a heavy metal toxicity that might cause a toddler’s breath to detect a garlic-like smell (11).
  • A rare cause of body odor is heavy metal toxicity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that children are more prone to lead (a heavy metal) exposure, with an estimated 500,000 children in the US having blood lead levels (BLLs) equal to or exceeding the blood lead reference value (BLRV) of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL). A naturopathiciA holistic approach to healthcare that utilizes natural therapies and the body's ability to heal itself doctor may do a mineral test and heavy metal toxicity test just to rule out the chance of metal toxins in your toddler.
  • Rare metabolic disorders may cause armpit odor in prepubescent children, as the body may not be able to generate enzymes required to break down chemicals in the body.
  1. For instance, a rare metabolic disorder called Phenylketonuria (5) is a condition where the body cannot break down phenylalanine, an amino acid present in food. The phenylalanine builds up, causing a strong body odor. Consuming less protein can help control body odor.
protip_icon Did you know?
Hypermethioninemia is an inherited genetic disease that causes the breath, sweat, or urine to smell like boiled cabbage (12). Poorly metabolized methionine is one of its potential causes.
  1. If your toddler has Trimethylaminuria, a metabolic disorder, they may emit an unpleasant odor similar to that of a rotting fish (6).
  1. If the toddler has Tyrosinemia type 1 or methionine malabsorption metabolic disorder (7), they may have a distinct cabbage-like smell.
  1. If your toddler has Diabetic ketoacidosisiA severe health condition characterized by abnormally high levels of ketone bodies in the serum and urine (8), there is a chance that they will have a distinct breath.
protip_icon Quick fact
Diabetic ketoacidosis causes a distinctive fruity smell. Acetone, one of the primary ketone bodies generated in DKA, causes it (13).
Diabetic ketoacidosis in toddlers can cause body odor

Image: Shutterstock

Symptoms Of Body Odor In Toddlers

It is easy to discern if your little one suffers from body odor, as the smell is pungent. You may observe armpit odor or odor in the other parts of the body.

Prevention Of Body Odor In Toddlers

Take these simple measures to put body odor at bay (9).

  • Teach your toddler basic hygiene and help them keep themselves clean.
  • Bathe your child every morning and evening.
  • Regularly launder their bedding and clothes to prevent the building up of microbes, and thereby odors.
Regularly launder your toddler's bedding and clothes

Image: Shutterstock

  • Avoid offering foods like non-organic milk, meat, spicy meals containing garlic, chilies, and onions to lessen your little one’s odor problems.
  • Applying special antiperspirant aluminum chloride (Driclor) on your little one’s feet should reduce perspiration. You can try a DIY disinfectant by adding a spoonful of vinegar to 8-ounce water. Mix well and put this mix in a spray bottle. This mix can safely be used as a disinfectant to spray the skin in the shower and then rinse it off. To stay alert on any possible reactions, do not forget to do a patch test before using the product.
  • You may also consider consulting a dietitian and check for a list of foods that your toddler can avoid.

protip_icon Trivia
Spraying a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water onto toddlers’ underarms around bedtime and bathing the following day might tackle armpit body odor issues.

Treatment

Treatment becomes easy once the underlying cause of body odor is identified (10).

  • If the body odor in your little one is due to bacterial infection, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic course to clear the odor-causing bacteria.
  • The doctor may also check for any parasites in your toddler. Once the type of parasite causing body odor is diagnosed, you may proceed with subsequent treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can we use mild deodorant for toddlers?

It is advisable to talk to your toddler’s doctor before using any deodorant or perfume to tackle the odor. The doctor might suggest using a mild deodorant for your toddler without antiperspirant.

However, products containing baking soda, sage tea, diluted apple cider vinegar, natural baby wipes, diluted essential oils, and natural deodorant crystals are safer to use for toddlers rather than chemical deodorants. Even before using natural substances like essential oils and fragrances on your little one’s skin, be careful and ensure to test it on a small area on the leg or arm initially, to avoid allergic reactions.

2. When does a child generally begin to show body odor?

Typically, body odor does not occur until a child hits puberty. If a child experiences it earlier (before eight years in girls and before nine years in boys), it is considered as early puberty or precocious puberty. During this period, the underarm odor can be noted in children.

3. Why do my toddler’s armpits smell like onions?

According to Dr. Erum N. Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD, a Pennsylvania-based board-certified dermatologist, “The bacteria most often linked to body odor include Staphylococcus species, such as hominis and epidermidis as well Cutibacterium avidum.

Staphylococcus hominis is prevalent in the neck folds, under the arms, and inguinal folds of children and is linked to acetic acid production resulting in a sour odor. The bacteria also produce sulfur, creating an odor similar to onions.”

4. Which soap is best for body odor in toddlers?

Although various antimicrobial soaps are available on the market, it is ideal to use an expert-recommended mild (non-irritating) bathing soap for your toddlers to help prevent adverse skin reactions (11).

5. Can probiotics help body odor in toddlers?

Probiotics enhance gut health and immune function in young children (12), but there is not much evidence that they help reduce body odor.

6. Can dehydration cause body odor?

There needs to be more research to prove this. In contrast, studies demonstrate that dehydration may lead to a delay in sweat production (13).

Body odor in toddlers is not common as in adults. The causes for body odor in toddlers may range from something as simple as what they eat to some more serious conditions such as metal toxicity, etc. Certain hygiene measures such as regular washing and bathing, wearing clean garments, regular changing of bedding, etc., can help prevent bad odor. Do not hesitate to consult your child’s doctor if you have any doubts regarding the reasons for the strong body odor in your toddlers.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Body odor (bromhidrosis); Ni Direct, UK
2. What Causes Bromhidrosis?; Pediatric Education (2009)
3. Tze Hau Lam et al.; Understanding the microbial basis of body odor in pre-pubescent children and teenagers; National Center For Biotechnology Information (2018)
4. Odor (Unusual Urine and Body); Pediatric Care Online; American Academy of Pediatrics
5. Why Does My Child Have Body Odor?; Net Wellness
6. Trimethylaminuria; Genetics Home Reference; National Institute of Health; U.S National Library of Medicine
7. Amino Acid Disorders; New Born Screening Information; Screening Technologies And Research in Genetics
8. DKA (Ketoacidosis) & Ketones; American Diabetes Association
9. Sniffing Out Solutions to Pre-Teen Body Odor; Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles
10. Tanja Schlereth et al.; Hyperhidrosis—Causes and Treatment of Enhanced Sweating; National Center For Biotechnology Information (2009)
11. Bathing Your Baby; Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
12. The pros and cons of probiotics for kids Geisinger Health.
13. Lindsay B. Baker; (2019); Physiology of sweat gland function: The roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health; NCBI.

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Dr. Murtaza Kamal
Dr. Murtaza KamalMD
Dr. Murtaza Kamal is a pediatric cardiologist with over five years of experience and is currently practicing at Star Hospitals, Hyderabad, India. After completing his MD in Pediatrics, he trained in pediatric hemato-oncology from the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre.

Read full bio of Dr. Murtaza Kamal
  • Dr. Erum N. IIyas
    Dr. Erum N. IIyasMD, MBE, FAAD Dr. Erum N. Ilyas is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. She completed a masters degree in Bioethics/Medical Ethics from the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctor of Medicine from the Drexel University College of Medicine. In her 13 years of experience in the King of Prussia, PA, she has treated more than 30,000 patients.
    Dr. Erum N. Ilyas is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. She completed a masters degree in Bioethics/Medical Ethics from the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctor of Medicine from the Drexel University College of Medicine. In her 13 years of experience in the King of Prussia, PA, she has treated more than 30,000 patients.
Swati Patwal
Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal
Rohit Garoo
Rohit GarooBSc, MBA
Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

Read full bio of Rohit Garoo
Shinta Liz Sunny
Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech
Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University.

Read full bio of Shinta Liz Sunny