What is an Appropriate Age for Children to Start Using Deodorant?
For most kids, body odor is a part of growing up. Kids start to have body odor around the time puberty starts and hormones change. In most kids, this is between the ages of 8-13 for girls and 9-14 for boys. Bathing every day, especially after a lot of sweating or in hot weather can help with body odor. So can wearing clean clothes, underwear and socks each day. But many parents still wonder if it's time for kids to start using deodorant.
There are 2 types of products that can help with body odor: deodorant and anti-perspirants. Deodorant covers up the smell of body odor, usually with fragrances while anti-perspirants stop or dry up perspiration and/or sweat. They both come in many forms, including sprays, gels, sticks and roll-ons.
There's no set age when kids should start to use deodorant, but if you start to notice an odor... it's probably time. Kids should start with a stick or gel form instead of a spray that could potentially be sprayed into their eyes. Early on, kids will benefit from just a deodorant but later in puberty as sweating increases, they may need to switch to a combination product that contains both a deodorant and anti-perspirant. And it's always a good idea to have older kids keep an extra one in their backpack or gym locker so that they can re-apply during the school day if needed!
Student Illness Reminder
We can't say this enough... children do not learn well and cause a disruption in the classroom when they come to school ill! Please be conscious of when your child isn't feeling well and keep them home from school. Children should remain home from school when they have a fever >100.4, vomiting, diarrhea or uncontrolled coughing. They may return to school when they have been symptom free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
There are times when children become ill during the school day and need to be picked up. For this reason, please be sure to let the school office know if your contact information has changed.
Medications At School
As a reminder, students are must have a signed medication consent form on file in order to take medications as school. Over the counter (OTC) medications require only parent/guardian signature but any prescription medications must have a signature from the prescribing medical provider.
