Sweat and smell · For ages 8–12
Why do I sweat more and smell different than before?
You may start noticing that your skin or clothes become wet under your arms or elsewhere on your body. This is called sweating.
About what you notice
What is happening?
Perhaps you have noticed wet patches under your arms or that your body smells different than before. This may be because of sweat.
Your skin covers your body. Inside the skin are small glands. A gland is a small part of the body that produces a substance, such as sweat. Sweat is fluid that comes out through tiny openings in the skin. When sweat evaporates, meaning that it dries by turning into vapour in the air, your skin becomes cooler. This helps your body when you get hot.
You may sweat when you run, go outside in hot weather or wear lots of clothes. You can also sweat when you feel excited, scared or nervous. Sweat may appear under your arms, on your face, back, hands, feet and between your legs.
As your body starts developing during puberty, some sweat glands may become more active. These changes are partly controlled by hormones. Hormones are substances made by the body that send messages between its different parts.
Sweat usually has little smell of its own. Bacteria live on your skin, and they are so tiny that you need a microscope to see them. Many naturally belong there. When bacteria break down substances in sweat, a smell can develop. That is why both your body and your clothes may start smelling different.
You can wash your body gently and change wet clothes. If sweating makes you dread school or avoid things you want to join in with, tell an adult. You can get help with what is bothering you.
Find what fits best
Which sounds most like what you notice?
Choose the option closest to what you have seen, felt or noticed.
Why do I sweat more and smell different than before?
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Important to know
Sweat helps your body keep the right temperature. When sweat sits on your skin and evaporates, your skin becomes cooler. That is why you often sweat more when your body gets hot.
Sweat comes from tiny glands in your skin. You may become hot during PE, in the sun or when you are wearing lots of clothes. Take off a layer or find somewhere cooler if you need to. Sweating is one of the ways your body regulates its temperature.
You can sweat in many places on your body. Common places include your underarms, face, back, hands, feet and around your genital area. Some people sweat a lot in one place and less in another.
You might notice damp hands before speaking in front of the class, or wet socks after playing. Sweating does not have to be the same everywhere. Clean socks, dry clothes and an opportunity to change can make your day more comfortable.
Sweat itself usually has little smell. Bacteria naturally live on your skin. When these bacteria break down substances in sweat, a smell can develop. This may become more noticeable during puberty.
It is normal to have bacteria on your skin. An odour does not mean you are dirty. During puberty your sweat changes, and the smell can become more noticeable. Washing and clean clothes may help. An adult can explain how to use deodorant if you would like to try it.
It varies a great deal. Some people only become a little damp under their arms, while others develop clear wet patches on their clothes. You may sweat more on hot days, when moving around or when you feel nervous.
Wet marks can be more visible on some fabrics and colours. That tells you little about how much other people really sweat. If you worry about people commenting on it, a teacher or school nurse can help with practical solutions and how others treat you.
You can wash your body when you need to, wear clean clothes and change them if they become very wet. Deodorant is a product used under the arms to reduce odour. Antiperspirant is a product that can reduce how much you sweat under your arms.
Follow the instructions on products and ask an adult to help choose something your skin tolerates. Deodorant is for the skin under your arms and should not be used inside the genital area. Stop using a product that causes itching, stinging or a rash, and tell an adult.
If you sweat so much that you dread school, avoid activities, need to change clothes many times or are very bothered by it, tell an adult you trust. A school nurse or doctor can help if your sweating needs further assessment.
You could say, 'I worry so much about sweating that I dread PE.' This helps an adult understand what support you need. It might involve clothes and products, but also support if someone teases you or makes comments.
What next?
What can you do next?
If you wonder whether something is sweat, you can explain where on your body you become wet, when it happens and whether the smell has also changed. Your body may sweat more during puberty, but you can get help if it bothers you a lot.
Sources
These are the sources used for this article. Some are written for teenagers, adults or healthcare professionals.