"All I need is the air that I breathe..."

[fab4fan]

When I was a nursing student, back in the dinosaur age, it was absolutely VERBOTEN to wear perfume, cologne, scented after-shave, etc.

Fast forward to 2002. I have co-workers that come in smelling like they've been marinating overnight; there's one RT that is so bad I can't be anywhere near her...hard when you're trying to discuss pt care. I've been around nurses that were wearing patchouli, which is so strong, or musk, or Vanilla Fields. You can smell these people from 50yds.

This stuff just makes my migraines 1000% worse. Has anyone experienced this and had some sort of peaceful resolution?

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

Originally posted by kewlnurse

Hollies, airsupply, abba, they all suck

Yup.

:chuckle :chuckle

Heather

[SmilingBluEyes]

nah micro you are FAR from "old" or "senile"....rather very clever a poster. jmo.....from another "golden oldie" who just turned 39....and to steal your quote...

over and out....

[nell]

Hey! Back to the subject! (And I really like the Hollies...)

I have an allergy to scented products. Whether it's the actual fragrance or the fixatives, I don't know. Our facility has a policy against fragrances in patient care areas, and our unit in particular (itty bitty babies in here...) is posted as a no fragrances zone.

Guess what? I've had to go home 4 times in the last 3 years because of fragrances. Even my Mgr. has come into the unit and bowled be over with perfume. Also, we are supposed to use a waterless hand cleaner that makes me sick (I told them BEFORE they bought the stuff) :angryfire

Fortunately, most of my co-workers go out of their way to keep fragrances away from me. I just can't understand management's attitude - not taking my sensitivity seriously. I'm not even the only one on our unit that is sensitive - just the worst. I am wondering if this is a problem for our union or should I file a suit under the ADA?

I have actually had people get mad at me for asking them not to come in the unit with excessive fragrance on.

[live4today, RN]

I wore perfume...a light scent...whenever I worked with patients/clients. I honestly never thought about the issues behind wearing a light fragrance, but I appreciate those of you sharing about the reasons why health professionals should leave the scent for their social life. Those are very valid reasons, and when I return to nursing next year, I will think of what was posted here, and leave my "scents" for my social and personal life...for the benefit of those allergic to perfume, and for the patients whose health may be compromised by it in some way.

Since I'm in front of my 'puter right now chatting with ya'll, I do have some lovely Gloria Vanderbilt scent aromatizing the air. I sneeze when I put it on in the morning after my shower/bath, so does my doggie (poor wittle baby), but after the spray and it settles into my skin, even my hubby loves to smell it on me....and if that keeps him close to me, then I will spray on with my Gloria Vanderbilt self! :chair:

[fab4fan]

I know what you mean...I have had to literally back away from some people...then they keep taking steps toward me; I've covered my mouth and nose while they were talking to me...they still don't get the idea.

We have a policy, too, but it's not enforced. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a pt., sick in bed, and having someone reeking of perfume/cologne taking care of me. Imagine what it would be like if you were really nauseated, or SOB, or had a severe hedache.

The worst is this one agency nurse who smokes like a chimney (you should see her fingertips!), then douses herself to "cover up" the cigarette smell...not only does it NOT work, it's 100x more revolting than the ciggie smell!

[zudy]

I, too, hate strong fragrences at work, but you know what is even worse? AMPHYL!!!!! Some people spray it all over the unit if there is a slightly unpleasant smell. It is horrible!! I can't imagine being a COPD, or having asthma and having that sprayed near me it pratically shuts me down now!!

[SmilingBluEyes]

I am partial to Bath and Body Works Vanilla.....I LUV it...but never at work. Just don't know who will react badly to it (imagine being in labor, and having nurse Debbie waltz on in reeking of the stuff. she might YACK all over me and I would deserve it, lol).

Simply enuf, It makes good "scents" (bad pun, ok) to REFRAIN at patient care areas, period. JMO.....

[KP RN]

No, it wasn't Abba

nor Air Supply,

nor The Hollies.

It was NILSSON!!!!

Just showing my age here.....

[NurseDennie, BSN, RN]

I wear cologne when I'm not working. I work in research now, so it's just habit from when I worked bedside.

When I was in school, one of the instructors told us that we should not wear scent and we should not eat onions or garlic the day before we go to work. I draw the line at that! I know that the scent of a heavily-spiced meal will SORT of linger even on a very clean, washed, tooth-brushed person... But I don't care! That's where I draw the line.

What do you think? I mean, I don't suck a garlic dill and then go to work, but I'll have one at night and work the next day.

Love

Dennie

[Love-A-Nurse]

loud perfume and those lonnnnnnng fingernails. how can some work in them? i wear baby lotion to work.

[MQ Edna]

When I'm teaching newbie nurses, the rule is still NO COLOGNE!!! What is a pleasant scent to one person can cause a sick patient to toss his twinkies or have an allergic reaction! I have a good anecdote about my brother-in-law getting hives from my sister-in-law's perfume, and I use it to illustrate my point. Please BATHE, though. We had a clergy person for a short time whose body odor could have been packaged as a war weapon. JeannieM :)

[ceecel.dee, MSN, RN]

Hey, I love that music! Do they really call my music oldies? So sad!

And I love Calvin Klein scent (one of them anyway), but not at work.