[TazziRN]

Some kind of mentholatum ointment is a mainstay for ER nurses, to deal with the smelly bodies we take care of. Use a cotton swab and dab a little inside each nostril right before you go in the room. Perfume or perfumed lotions are not a good idea because those smelly bodies are occupied by sick people, and sick people often cannot tolerate perfumed scents.

[rn/writer]

EMTs and paramedics use Vicks under the nose when they have to go into a house where a corpse has been lying for several days. Also, breathe through your mouth when you can. That lessens your ability to smell things.

Good luck!

[RunnerRN]

If you're cleaning up a cdiff pt, or someone with otherwise "super stinky" excrement, you should be wearing a mask just due to the flying object risk. Chew gum, suck on a mint, use vicks (in a pinch, you can put a drop of mastisol or benzoin on the mask). When you can't use a mask, everyone has given some really good ideas, but you should be able to use a mask in many situations without looking insensitive.

[lhenson]

Thanks for the input. I have already tried the surgical mask, but will add the vick's vaporub. I have also call my dr. to see about any prescription help. I think I am going to try the desensitizing, too. I am desperate!

[PANurseRN1]

Originally Posted by lhenson

I am in desparate need for some help! I am having serious trouble controlling my gag reflex when faced with very strong odors, ie. cleaning c-diff patients, obtaining stool samples, etc. My clinincal instructor has given me an ultimatum-handle it or else- so please help with any suggestions!

Thanks!

Your instructor needs to be smacked upside the head. We are human. Sometimes things will get to us. I will say that once you have to handle these sort of situations routinely, it does get better, but there will always be a situation that gets the better of you.

I got an admission the other day from a NH; pt needed to use the BR. The smell from her obviously unwashed body (for a long, long time) just got to me. I wasn't feeling well myself that day, and once that smell hit me, I started gagging so hard tears were streaming down my face. The pt. didn't see it, thank goodness. And I've been a nurse for over 20y!

[P_RN]

I lost my sense of smell for about a year. I was really upset, not because of the nose part, but because taste is related to smell.
When I gradually got it back I found that doing a swish of Pepto Bismol on my tongue and the Vicks under my nose achieved almost the same as no sense of smell at all.

[Blee O'Myacin]

reflex. I think you would be disappointed with the results - and the expense of zofran or any other antiemetic which won't make you sleepy.

I generally don't breathe through my nose. Graft vs. host disease of the gut makes C.Diff smell like a walk in a rose garden comparatively, so I've had my share of gag-able moments. I try to separate my senses from the task as well. If I think about what I am flushing, wiping, taking a sample of - etc., then I start to feel a bit queasy. So I pretend I'm baking cookies or something....

Gagging happens occasionally. I'd be upfront about it with patients - a simple "I'm so sorry" and keep on going. I've used betadine on a mask, and vicks. I had a coworker who would vomit into the toilet when she would empty a commode, she would flush to cover the noise. It just happens.

Besides - what is your instructor going to do? Flunk you for a biological reflex? How you handle it is key.

Take care,

Blee

[kit3375]

I have this very same problem. When I start gagging I can't stop!!! I keep gagging until I have to vomit. I also start freaking out because I'm unable to control this. I am a control freak and this is one thing that I cannot control. I've heard about the Vick's but I've also heard that it only opens up your nose and makes you able to smell that much better. I think I'm going to give it a try for myself. Also I've started spraying a little dab of perfume on my shirt sleeve and holding my breath and when I breathe I just breath into my shirt sleeve. Have to be careful not to wear a really strong perfume though. Something fruity and light is nice.... Good luck to you and to me!!!!

[Lacie]

After 24 years in nursing, Vicks!!!!! Dont feel alone I still gag with strong odors and also if I see anyone vomiting I gag and gag. Cant be helped. I usually turn my head and pull out the vicks then slap abit under my nose then inhale deeply!! You would think after having 2 kids we could tolerate anything but to the contrary if it didnt come from me then I cant hack it. I wouldnt survive without Vicks.

[louismama]

Vicks Vapor rub is the best for all foul smelling odors, plus with time you will get used to it, trust me.