Skip Navigation

Main sections

Skip section navigation (navigation may have changed)

Due to the lapse in government funding, only websites supporting excepted functions will be updated unless otherwise funded. As a result, the information on this website may not be up to date and the agency will not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.

Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.

Section navigation

girlshealth.gov logo

http://www.girlshealth.gov/

Sweating

Young girl applying deodorant.

You might think that you are only supposed to sweat when you are hot, but once you hit puberty, you will also sweat when you are nervous. Your sweat glands, which are in places like your armpits, become more active during the teen years. That means you will sweat more, and your sweat will have a smell.

Don’t panic! Sweat and smell are normal parts of becoming an adult. Sweating also does an important job — it helps cool your body when you are hot.

You can follow some simple tips to keep from smelling bad:

  • Shower or take a bath every day, making sure to wash your underarms, pubic area, and bottom.
  • Use a deodorant, which helps get rid of smells, or an antiperspirant, which decreases sweating, or a product that has both of these in it.
  • Talk to your doctor if these things do not work or you are worried about smelling bad.

 

Content last reviewed April 15, 2014
Page last updated May 27, 2014

top