Contents:
- Medical Video: Why Do We Have Such Bad Body Odor?
- Body odor in children
- Common causes of body odor in children
- Poor cleanliness
- Eating foods that trigger body odor
- Early puberty
- Disease can also be a cause of body odor in children
- 1. Phenylketonuria
- 2. Adrenarche
- 3. Hyperhidrosis
- 4. Trimethylaminuria
- 4. Isovaleric acidemia
Medical Video: Why Do We Have Such Bad Body Odor?
Body odor in children will normally appear before puberty. However, it can also occur earlier than it should. What causes body odor in children? Consider the following review to find out if the cause can be overcome or is a symptom of an illness that requires special treatment from a doctor.
Body odor in children
Changes in the smell of sweat in children will occur along with the development of the body, which is when entering adolescence and experiencing puberty. Girls usually experience puberty first, which is around the age of 8 to 12 years. While boys, will experience puberty around the age of 9 years to 12 years. At that age children will experience changes in the smell of sweat. Which initially smelled faint to really smell bad.
Common causes of body odor in children
Common causes of body odor that occur in children, can still be overcome with some hygiene care at home. By knowing the causes of body odor, it will be easier for parents to deal with body odor. The following are some of the causes, such as:
Poor cleanliness
This is the most common cause of child body odor. If the child is not clean, especially in the area around the armpit, groin, and between fingers or toes. Bacteria can accumulate in the area because they are not carried by water. In addition, clothes that are not properly washed can also cause bacteria that have previously been attached to not disappear. Using clothes that are not completely dry can also be the cause, especially when the child has to deal with sunlight.
To avoid this, children must learn to maintain personal hygiene, such as bathing in a clean and routine. Then, keep the clothes, shoes, or whatever clean is used by the child on his body.
Eating foods that trigger body odor
Some foods not only affect odor in a child's breath, but also affect odor in the body. These foods usually have a distinctive odor or trigger substance which, after digestion, smells will seep through the pores of the skin and cause body odor. Reporting from Mom Junction, some foods that cause body odor in these children are:
- Red meat has an amino acid derivative called carnitine. Too much carnitine can make changes to body odor.
- Milk contains protein which can take longer to digest than other foods. So the excess consumption of dairy products can cause the release of methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide in the body. This process causes the stench to come out. Possible body odor because milk may be higher if the child has lactose intolerance.
- Processed foods from flour, especially those that are low in fiber.
- Food with sugar, shallots, garlic, and other herbs.
- Food smells like fish, eggs and peas.
Early puberty
Puberty is the phase of achieving sexual maturity in girls and boys. At this time, they experience many hormonal changes so that changes occur in the body and behavior, one of which is body odor. If the child experiences body odor during puberty, which is around the age of 10-14 years, then parents need not worry because this is normal. Just let them know and teach them how to deal with it.
However, some children can experience early puberty. Early puberty can be caused by various things, including hormonal disorders and genetic factors.
Disease can also be a cause of body odor in children
In addition to cleanliness and food, body odor can also arise due to several diseases. If this happens it needs the help of a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment. Here are some diseases that cause body odor, such as:
1. Phenylketonuria
One disease due to metabolic disorders when the baby is born so that there is no phenylalanine hydroxylase, which is an enzyme needed to break amino acids. As a result, a musty odor appears on the skin, earwax, breath and urine. In addition, phenylketonuria can cause intellectual disability and development in the body because it interrupts the process of breaking down amino acid proteins found in milk, meat and eggs. If not treated, high levels of phenylalanine can cause damage to the brain.
2. Adrenarche
This is a term used in the condition of children who experience early sexual maturation (early puberty). The cause of hormone production such as DHEA has increased, so that signs of puberty, such as the appearance of pubic hair and armpits, pimples, and changes in the smell of sweat can occur earlier. This condition occurs in children under eight years in girls and nine years in boys.
3. Hyperhidrosis
This condition causes children to sweat excessively to maintain a normal body temperature. This occurs because of an infection, hormonal imbalance due to puberty, or other chronic conditions so that the sweat glands produce too much sweat. If excessive sweating is limited to certain parts of the body, the child may have focal hyperhidrosis.
4. Trimethylaminuria
Trimethylaminuria is a rare condition caused by a metabolic disorder in producing the flavin enzyme. This causes the body to be unable to break trimethylamine so that there is an increase in bacteria in the digestive system. As a result, the smell of fish will smell in sweat, urine, and the child's breath. This disease is also called fish odor syndrome.
4. Isovaleric acidemia
This condition causes the baby to experience the distinctive smell of sweaty feet or bad odors. This occurs because of the accumulation of isovaleric acid compounds in the body that affect blood, urine, and tissue. This buildup can be toxic and cause health problems. Newborns who experience this condition can experience vomiting, seizures, and lethargy a few days after being born.
