What can be done for an 8-year-old girl with axillary odor?

Jul 18, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My child has developed axillary odor, and I'm very concerned. What should I do if an 8-year-old girl has axillary odor?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
For an 8-year-old girl with axillary odor, the following measures may be taken: 1. **Maintain hygiene**: Encourage the child to develop the habit of bathing daily and changing clothes frequently, especially keeping the armpits clean and dry to reduce bacterial growth and thus alleviate axillary odor. 2. **Balanced diet**: Provide light yet nutritious foods. Encourage the child to eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, and protein-rich foods such as lean meat, fish, and shrimp. Avoid excessive intake of oily, spicy, and high-sugar foods to reduce sweating and ease axillary odor. 3. **Medication treatment**: If the symptoms of axillary odor are relatively severe, antiperspirants or topical medications, such as formaldehyde solution (Urotropine solution), may be used under a doctor's guidance to reduce sweat secretion and bacterial growth. 4. **Psychological support**: Pay attention to the child's mental health, prevent feelings of inferiority due to axillary odor, and provide sufficient support and reassurance. 5. **Surgical treatment**: As the child is still young, surgical treatment should be considered cautiously. Generally, it is recommended to consider surgical options, such as laser ablation of apocrine glands, only after reaching adulthood if the axillary odor remains severely persistent.