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My 8 Year Old Daughter Has Underarm Hair. Any Advice
I am wondering about my 8 year old daughter who has underarm hair. Any advice on what to do and if I should be worried. I have read that being over weight can cause early puberty but she it, if anything, under weight. What should I do?
posted on
Tue, 22 Dec 2009
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 22 Dec 2009
Answered on
Sun, 30 Jan 2011
Last reviewed on
User's Response
nit's
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8 is pretty young but maybe it is just in the genetics. I started getting hair in my pubic area at 9 and then I got my period at 10. I cannot remember if I had hairy armpits or not.. but I'm sure it will be ok for a couple more years. If you are concerned though, I would think that it will be ok to teach her how to shave but make sure she is ready. Shaving for the rest of our lives isn't the most fun thing to do!
Anonymous's Response
Anonymous's
Response
I remember I got hairy armpits when I was in primary school (about 10 or 11) but my little sister started her period when she was 9. I was 11.
I cried my eyes out when I saw hairs. There were literally like 2 or 3. I felt like a man. My mum showed me how to shave and did the first one for me cos I was scared that it would hurt. I remember she felt a bit embarassed but after the first arm I was fine to do it by myself. She just told me how ot do it safely.
I cried my eyes out when I saw hairs. There were literally like 2 or 3. I felt like a man. My mum showed me how to shave and did the first one for me cos I was scared that it would hurt. I remember she felt a bit embarassed but after the first arm I was fine to do it by myself. She just told me how ot do it safely.
Hi: I am an endocrinologist. Having hair in the armpit could be a sign of puberty. May i know whether she has any pubic hair and breast development. Also when did you attain menarche. It is definitly a concern because if it is a early puberty, she may attain menarche earlier and height will be low. Get her Xray for bone age, Thyroid functions, LH, FSH, Estradiol, DHEAS and prolactin. If things are fine we will periodically follow her and any thing abnormal we will treat her. Get an opinion from your local endocrinologist.
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