Top of kid's head is funky smelling (hair, teeth, diet)

[no kudzu]

9 year old healthy girl washes and rinses her hair well, no change in shampoo, diet or any other conditions except braces on her teeth for about one year. Even right after her shower, her scalp has a funky smell. I've discouraged hair dryer use and it still is there. Any suggestions? Any OTC medicated shampoos I could try even tho there is nothing there-dandruff, flakes, bugs, etc?

[lubby]

Did you call a dermatologist? you can try any dandruff shampoo but if she does not have dandruff it might be something else. I looked online and here's what I found Head Smells Bad - Dermatology - MedHelp, it might be a fungus or clogged oil glands.

[justthe2ofus]

i'd be looking to have a hair dresser weigh in. they have seen it all and
a seasoned pro can probably pick out what the deal is.

maybe repost in the hair subforum?

[no kudzu]

Thanks for your help. Just not sure what to do now. I'll try changing shampoos and see if that helps. I hate to take her to doc and make her more insecure about her body and growth. 9 is a precarious age with the changes just around the corner....

[Roselvr]

What do you mean by funky?

My dad & son both have weird smelling scalps & nothing helped. Tried medicated shampoo; plus clarifying & various brands from Suave to expensive. No matter what we've done; the same scent is left on his pillow case. His just smells dirty but it's not.

Can you try to play salon with her & was her hair for her; then while it's naturally drying; treat her to a facial & nail polish. Possible she's not washing correctly.

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

Thanks for your help. Just not sure what to do now. I'll try changing shampoos and see if that helps. I hate to take her to doc and make her more insecure about her body and growth. 9 is a precarious age with the changes just around the corner....

I recommend a good natural shampoo.
For general / over all health it's really best to avoid the soaps and shampoos that are just loaded with potentially harmful ingredients.
Here's a link to a web-site that i found that lists them but if you just go to a health food store, you'll be much more likely to find a shampoo that is free of anything harmful.
Harmful Ingredients List - Ingredients Commonly Found in Personal Care Products
Aubrey makes some really great and lovely smelling hair products for all sorts of hair conditions.
Apple cider vinegar balances the scalp p.h. and helps to eliminate any build-up of debris (it's both anti-bacterial and anti-fungul) so if your daughter is not adverse to it, you may want to try that.
You brush the hair and massage the scalp well with a brush and then saturate the hair with water and then with the apple cider vinegar, wrap the head and leave it on for about an hour.
Then shampoo.

If she's nine and since girls are developing earlier these days, hormonal issues may be an issue but certainly not a serious one ... just the body starting to go through its changes.
I think it's really cool that you're sensitive enough to not want to take her to the m.d. and add to any of her insecurities about her body.
In my totally unprofessional opinion that's not necessary.
Someone suggested a hair dresser and i think that's a good idea.
You could take her there for a girls day out and privately let the hair dresser know about your concern and see what she thinks.
Like the other poster said, they've seen it all.

[looking4answers12]

Are you sure there are no changes in her diet?

Could it be that she is about to hit puberty and her body chemistry is changing?