Nurse with Body Odor

aem31 · Dec 18, 2010

Maybe she can't help it. I know from time to time my deodorant stops working for me and I have to switch brands. Sometimes it helps and sometimes even the clinical strength stuff doesn't work as well as it should. I've asked close friends and they say they can't smell me, but I can. I'm not sure if it a hormonal issue or dietary or what because the problem only flares up every now and then, most of the time I have no trouble with it.

Maybe you could say something along the lines of your deodorant not working and having to switch things up as a result. It's a lie but it may plant the idea in her head. Personally, I wouldn't say anything.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2010

Do her a favor and tell her straight out. How would you like it if you were smelly, didn't know it, and no one told you............be direct.

robby5313 · Dec 18, 2010

I know some people simply have a weird body chemistry that causes certain odors. I would suggest an anonymous....NICE SYMPATHETIC note, explaining that you wanted her to be aware of it, because possibly she dosen't know she had an odor.

corbinRN · Dec 18, 2010

You can always place an anonymous note in her mailbox...LOL!

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Dec 18, 2010

When she walks away from her computer, open the web browser to this thread. She'll take the hint, especially once she sees my reply.

rn4ever? · Dec 18, 2010

Telling her bluntly is rude, especially if you are not really close friends. It could also lead to animosity. You might mean well, but what if the tables were turned and an acquaintance does that to you, it would be like a slap in the face. Leaving an anonymous note would be better. You and her don’t need to be embarrassed…..you don’t have to say it straight in her face…..but the you’d still be able to convey the message.

allnurses Guide · Dec 18, 2010

Turf it to the manager. :coollook:

steph

backatit2 · Dec 18, 2010

if you can't be direct, maybe you could send her an email (anonymously). i'd be sure to let her know it's not something other people have talked about so she doesn't have to be mortified that she's a running joke.

when i was younger, i was working in a restaurant where my co-worker had really bad body odor. the manager asked if i could say something to her and since it was a restaurant where we had to take out trash - i waited until she came back from taking the trash and said, "heather, was that trash leaking? i think you got something on you - it smells like onions or something."

she told me years later that she went to the doctor and had some problem that caused her BO which was able to be controlled, and she was glad i said something. she also said she never thought that i suspected it being BO, but since she was aware she had it, she knew that's what it was. i was young and i don't know if that was the best way to go about it, but it caused her to get herself checked out and she thanked me later. i'm not sure if there's some way you could approach her in a similar way since i'm sure she prob. doesn't take out garbage.

sevensonnets · Dec 18, 2010

Ask your HR manager to talk to her.

katiehydrangea · Dec 18, 2010

I wouldnt leave a note or send an email. I thought the post describing a clever scenario hinting to the gal in the restaraunt was good. If its possible to be cutsey or clever, I would do it that way. Maybe she knows that she has a scent but hasn't found a solution. Unless it bothers you a lot, I would not say anything it's very personal. But that's just my opinion. Im sensitive and would not want to offend or hurt someone's feelings.

ShaBBy23 · Dec 18, 2010

:reindeer:

Do her a favor and tell her straight out. How would you like it if you were smelly, didn't know it, and no one told you............be direct.

It's one thing to let someone know about this situation in a thoughtful manner and another doing so directly. Why does one have to be harsh about subject. Decorum should be used. After all, we're suppose to be professionals here.