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Expert Q&A
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| By John Dorsey, M.D. Pediatrician | ||
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My 5-year-old's sweat has a strong odor. Is this normal?
The condition you are describing is bromhidrosis. It's an excessive number of sweat glands secreting the type of sweat that mixes with bacteria and causes odor. In many children, these glands are dormant until puberty; however, in many children like yours, they become active much earlier. It's not a health concern, and hygiene is the best medicine. Using anti-bacterial soap and bathing often will help keep the odor minimized. You can also visit a dermatologist who can prescribe topical medicines to cut the odor if that is your choice.
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