Hi Moms,
My 9 year old (about to be 10) son has started to need and wear deodorant/antiperspirant. At first we started with a "natural, pure, organic" deodorant. Ummm...no, just, no... I'm sure it works for some, but not our family. ;-) So then we went for the "normal" stuff like Right Guard. However, after a week or two, his armpits broke out with a red, bumpy rash that was painful to the touch. We laid off all deodorant for a while and applied hydrocortisone. His armpits have finally cleared up so now we are going to try a "normal" fragrance-free deodorant/antiperspirant. My question for you is...Do you know of a great deodorant/antiperspirant for a 9-10 year old boy with sensitive skin? I'd love for him to avoid those awful, painful bumps yet not distance everyone around him with the essence of stinky boy!
Thank you!
Ah, Moms! You came through again! Thank you so much for you responses! I was hoping that there would be something that I could purchase for him at the store or while running my regular errands. It looks like it will be trial and error from here out. At least I know where to start! I'll try Dove since it has been mentioned several times, and if that doesn't work, I'll try a deodorant only. And I appreciate the feedback about the gels being full of alcohol because I hadn't even thought of that. I'll hit the sample aisle first since I may be switching around on him...perhaps some of these brands mentioned here will be there. That was also an excellent suggestion. Then, if everything "convenient" doesn't work, I'll try some of the natural/crystal/salt varieties suggested as well. Wish us luck! Thanks again! K.
My ten year old son had the same problem with right guard.....we bought Suave and he hasn't had any reaction to it.
My son is 10 and he likes "Degree" for men. My son also has sensitive skin and this one works great no problems with this brand for us.
Hi K.! My husband gets horrible itchy red bumps from antiperspirent, no matter how gentle it is. He reacts to the aluminum in the antiperspirent.
We have cut sugar out of our diets as much as possible and that makes a HUGE difference in reducing body odor. My mom no longer has body odor of any kind after quitting sugar and artificial sweeteners. Natural fruit sugars, honey and stevia are the way to go! ;)
So many deoderants have perfume and other scents that are loaded with chemicals harsh for some people. Why not check out the "travel size" containers that are out there--check with ALL the discount stores and drug-stores there are so many to choose from. This is also a good size forhim to try for several days and if it works then you can get him a bigger size. I have noticed that even after I use some items fro several years that all of a sudden it stops working and I break out so don't be surprized if it hits him too--he after all still growing and that might be a changer every few weeks. Also watch out for the soap he uses-this might set off "allergies"--dove soap is generally sensitive and works for men and women. Most important try to stay away from the fragrance included in any products.
My 10 year old had the same problem - turns out the problem was the clear deodorants (gels, roll-ons)- the alcohol content is too high - his doctor recommended Arm and Hammer products for the whole family (we are now using regular solid unscented) - no more rash for my kid or for anyone else.
Happy Mother of Five
My husband and kids react to antiperspirants. My husband uses Old Spice in a stick and gets a deodorant only.
try the salt sticks that you can find at health food stores and fairway. they are fabulous for everyone!! they don't stain your clothes, you don't see it at all, has no odor....(it is clear) you quickly swipe it under water, rub on your arm pit for about 6-10 seconds, let it dry for a minute and that is it!
I have a 9 year old daughter with the same problem--it isn't slways easy to find, but a deodorant only (not anti-perspirant) works best for her.
Dove......I am super sensitive and it works very well:)
Have you tried JUST deodorant without antiperspirant? My husband breaks out whenever I accidentally buy antiperspirant in certain brands. I tried it secretly a couple of times by switching the same brand just with antiperspirant (that way the dispenser looked the same) to see if it was psychosomatic (all in his head), but it wasn't. On some brands he cannot use the antiperspirant, such as Mennen. However on other brands he can, such as AXE Dry Sharp Focus. I don't normally buy this but he recieved it in a Christmas gift. Because it is antiperspirant and it *works!*, I will spend the extra money on it. When men sweat, they stink: I can spend a little more for him :)
The organic stuff never worked for me, either. I've tried the mineral rock antiperspirant but started sweating as soon as I walked out the door. It worked for my sister, though. Everyone is different, so you may just have to buy different brands, scents and combinations to find the one that works for your son.
Also, see if anyone makes one labelled hypoallergenic?
Let us know what you figure out... I've got a 7 year old and will need YOUR advice soon :)
Good Luck!
Use a deodorant, not an antiperspirant. mennen or old spice--he may have to apply it generously.
my family has the same problem - Shaklee's cream deoderant/antipersperant is all I can use. My kids don't like having to stick their fingers in it, so they both use the stick. It doesn't have aluminum or fragrence.
My daugther went through the same thing. Her docotr wrote her a presciption but it did the same thing. We went through several until we found something that she liked and worked! She is now using Clinical Dove or Secret - neither works great but at least it helps some. Poor kids - they have to go through so much without worry about sweating and stinking!
Hi there,
We are going thru this as well...with two...one 8 and one 9...I thought it was too soon...but come to find out it is right on target. We went for the solid stick in Dove brand called ultimate go fresh..each picked their favorite color more or less...one is orange which is burst - nectarine and white ginger and the other picked green - cools essesentials cucumber and gree tea scent.
They do not smell girly....I remind them each morning to use and it seems to hold them for the day. Still little boy wet dogs some times, but not the harsh rightguard like their Dad...I bet Dove makes a fragrant free as well. These scents are really pleasant and not overbearing to others at all.
Are those baby lotion scent days a memory...ahhh! Good luck!
My hubby has the same problem. When they stopped making the deoderant he used to use, he had to search for a new one. He actually ended up with Axe. They have some lighter scents too, which he prefers. Lucky for me, I only had to help raise my bros through the kid years. I had moved out by the time they hit puberty, so I don't know how they handled first wearing deoderant.
I have started myself and my family on the name brand Tom's. I have liked it so far.
Use a little anti-biotic ointment like neosporin or the off brand and dab under the arms.
