Maasim Kids — Things Parents Should Know About Body Odor in Children

Keep your kiddos smelling fresh and mabango (and not maasim) all day long with these tips 😉

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Almost every parent will tell you that they love their babies’ smell and simply could not get enough of it. Non-parents might find this a weird trait, I know I did back when I wasn’t a parent yet, but trust me, once you do have your own baby, you would want to bottle his fresh baby scent to keep forever.

Unfortunately, their baby scent is quite limited. Although babies and children under the age of eight usually do not have any noticeable odor, once they reach their toddler years, their body odor can go downhill. Some kids can get quite “maasim” as they grow up. If you have noticed that your child tends to smell “maasim” quite regularly, then here are a few things you need to know about body odor in kids.

What are the possible causes of body odor in kids?

  1. Poor hygiene

One of the most common causes of body odor in kids is poor hygiene. If your child doesn’t regularly take a bath or does not wash their armpits, groin area, or feet properly, the bacteria accumulated can lead to bad odor, especially when it comes into contact with his sweat.

 

  1. Food or diet

What we eat can also affect our body odor and the same principle applies to kids. So if your child loves to eat smelly food such as onion, garlic, red meat, and eggs, then it may start to affect his body odor. This is because once these food are digested, its smell can seep through his skin pores and cause odor.

 

  1. Underlying medical conditions

Certain underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney or liver problem or inflammation can also give the body a distinct smell, which can come off as body odor. To give you an idea, people with diabetes could smell like a rotten apple, people with kidney or liver problems could smell similarly like ammonia, while people with typhoid fever could smell like baked bread. If you think that your child has a consistent, distinct smell, it is best to consult your pediatrician.

  1. Inborn medical conditions: Phneylketonuria, Trimethylaminuria, Hyperhidrosis

There are certain medical conditions that our child may be born with that could also result in body odor, such as:

Phenylketonuria or PKU is a metabolic error wherein kids do not have the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase — which is essential to break down the amino acid phenylalanine. Phenylalamine, on the other hand, produces melamine — which has a role in maintaining the color of the skin and hair. If your child has PKU and is not treated, then he might have a “musty” odor coming off from his skin, breath, ear wax, and urine. At the same time, it can also cause rashes.

Trimethylaminuria or fish odor syndrome is caused by an abnormal production of an enzyme called flavin. It is a metabolic disorder that occurs when a chemical called trimethylaminuria is not broken down into trimethylamine oxide. This then results in the build-up of said chemical and then leads to pungent, fish-like smelling urine, breath, and sweat.

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that leads to excessive sweating. It can affect adults and children alike and can usually be prompted by excessive consumption of carbonated drinks and spicy food, anxiety and even exercise. Hyperhidrosis can also cause body odor in some cases.

If you suspect that your child’s body odor is caused by any of these medical conditions, then it is best to consult your Pediatrician for proper care and treatment.

On the other hand, you can also try these tips in preventing body odor in your kids:

  • Maintain proper personal hygiene. It is best to teach your kids how to maintain proper personal hygiene as they grow up. Teach them the importance of taking a bath regularly and how to properly wash their body, especially their armpits, groin, and feet.
  • Use child-friendly bath care products. Every child has delicate skin, dramatically different than that of an adult. This is why there is a need for child-specific products that won’t irritate their skin. Tupperware Brands Philippines’ Baby Care Plus+ products have unique plus+ ingredients for each form that provides the utmost protection that they need.

Baby Care Plus+ White – has a mild, powdery scent suitable for babies’ sensitive skin.

Baby Care Plus+ Pink – has a mild, fresh baby scent with citrus, floral notes

 

Baby Care Plus+ Oatmeal – has natural, low-level fragrance infused with a rich oatmeal ingredient that locks in moisture to protect your baby’s skin from dryness and itchiness.

 

 

 

Kids Plus+ – has a fun fruity scent that kids aged 4 – 12 years old will enjoy.

 

All products are clinically proven mild and safe, dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic.

  • Ensure that your child wears clean clothes every day. Tell them that as much as possible, they should not wear the same trousers, jeans, or skirt for more than one day.
  • Check and ensure that their clothes smell clean and fresh. Wet weather and moisture can sometimes make clothes smell musty even if they are freshly laundered. As much as possible, try to dry clothes under the sun and use a mild-scented fabric conditioner.
  • Make sure that your child’s clothes and shoes are completely dry before wearing and using them.
  • Encourage your kids to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water can help eliminate toxins and reduce the chances of body odor.
  • Avoid or minimize strong-smelling food that can cause body odor. Instead, incorporate aromatic herbs such as rosemary and sage, and green leafy vegetables to your kid’s diet. The plant’s chlorophyll can act as a natural body cleanser.

References: LiveStrong, Being the Parent

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