My son hasn't gone through puberty yet, but sometimes he gets body odor. I wonder if it's time for him to start using deodorant, but I worry that it might be too early. – Shauna As kids enter puberty, a lot of them start to develop body odor. Different kids start puberty at different times, but boys generally begin between ages 9 and 14. Deodorants get rid of the odor of sweat by covering it up, and antiperspirants actually stop or dry up perspiration. There's no specific age at which kids can start using it, but they should read and follow the directions. Some deodorants work better if they're used at night, while others recommend application in the morning. And it wouldn't hurt to remind your son about some hygiene basics. Encourage him to get into the habit of showering every day. He also might want to shower after activities where he's worked up a sweat. Encourage him to wear clean clothes, socks, and underwear each day. If your son is feeling self-conscious about sweating and body odor, talk with his doctor. Back to Articles Related Articles Talking to Your Child About Puberty Talking to kids about puberty is an important job for parents, especially because kids often hear about sex and relationships from unreliable sources. Here are some tips. Read More Growth and Your 6- to 12-Year-Old As kids grow from grade-schoolers to preteens, there continues to be a wide range of "normal" as far as height, weight, and shape. Read More Understanding Puberty Puberty was awkward enough when you were the one going through it. So how can you help your kids through all the changes? Read More Precocious Puberty Precocious puberty - when signs of puberty start before age 7 or 8 in girls and age 9 for boys - can be tough for kids. But it can be treated. Read More Your Child's Changing Voice Yesterday, your son sounded like he's always sounded - like a boy. But today, you heard that first crack in his voice. It's the larynx (or voice box) that's causing all that noise. Read More Sexual Development Big physical and emotional changes happen during puberty and the teen years. These articles can help you become a source of information, comfort, and support for your kids. Read More Hygiene Basics Puberty causes all kinds of changes in your body - and some may not make you feel very desirable. Read this article for information on dealing with greasy hair, perspiration, and body hair. Read More Boys and Puberty On the way to becoming a man, a boy's body will go through a lot of changes, including your body growing bigger, your voice changing, and hair sprouting everywhere. Find out more. Read More What Can I Do About Sweating? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Everything You Wanted to Know About Puberty Voice cracking? Clothes don't fit? Puberty can be a confusing time, but learning about it doesn't have to be. Read all about it. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.