A 28-year-old female asked:
My 6 year old son wants to wear deodorant like daddy. he sweats like crazy and one day daddy said he had a "musty" smell. any suggestions?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Diamondanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Not Crucial: Probably not necessary and the deoderant probably will not hurt unless there is a skin reaction. Try it for a while.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
Dr. James Ferguson commented
Pediatrics 48 years experience
The odor producing glands respond to hormones of the adrenal glands and some kids will have underarm odor long before puberty starts. Be practical.
Jul 2, 2013
Dr. Michael Fisheranswered
Dermatology 34 years experience
Increase Sweating: Your son most likely has hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis usually affects the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and underarms. Besides disrupting normal daily activities, hyperhidrosis can cause social anxiety or embarrassment.
Treatment is with prescription medications like drysol. The musty smell is caused by the bacterial breakdown of sweat.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Vicki Levine commented
Dermatology 43 years experience
DRYSOL WILL PROBABLY BE TOO IRRITATING.DID YOU JUST TRY A clinical STENGTH ANTI-Perspirant? You should also take him to an endocrinologist to be sure that there is no reason for the sweating. THERE IS ALSO A PILL THAT BE PRESCRIBED TO DECREASE SWEATING
Sep 12, 2013
Dr. Candace Spannanswered
Dermatology 23 years experience
Bromhidrosis: The medical name for the musty smell is bromhidrosis. The musty smell can be treated with a prescription topical antibiotic called clindamycin, which will address the bacterial component of his sweat.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Apr 1, 2015
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