dryer sheets inbetween dressings?????

[hospicemom]

Has anyone ever heard of placing those fabric softener dryer sheets inbetween dressings on a wound with a very foul odor? I had a pt with an tendon exposed and was attempting all kinds of dressing changes to control the odor as well as prevent infection. this was a hospice pt so healing it was not an option. anyway, someone suggested a dryer sheet inbetween the telfa and kerlex. Sounds a little fishy to me.

[CharlieRN]

Wouldn't mint oil burn if it accidently got into the wound (for example, if too much was applied to the dressing, and seeped though)?

I'm pretty sure that the mint oil is used as a room deodorizer noyt applied to the wound or dressing.

[augigi, CNS]

Medihoney - or medical grade honey dressings!! Not sure if it is yet approved in the US, but it is a great dressing which removes (rather than masking) odours!

[smoo]

Medihoney - or medical grade honey dressings!! Not sure if it is yet approved in the US, but it is a great dressing which removes (rather than masking) odours!

I've heard of this, but never seen it done or heard of specifics. How exactly is a dressing change done with honey, and does it really work. I just can't get over the sticky mess part.........although it's not like wounds aren't messy..

smoo

[prmenrs, RN]

i personally think the odor-absorbing pantyliner or sanitary napkin idea is genius!

i agree! they come in various lengths, widths and thicknesses, have a moisture proof backing. they are probably not "sterile" (unless they're the ones that come from ob), but i doubt you could get much in the way of bacteria from them. put it face down, wrap in kerlix, viola'!

absolutely terrific, creative idea!!!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

That mint stuff is oil of wintergreen. You'd roll a couple of 4x4s and stuff into the top of the bottle. Ugh that fragrance is enough to turn a well patient sick.

Medihoney.....hmmmm. Back in the 70s we used "Sugar-dine." Betadine ointment mixed with granulated white sugar. The idea was hypertonic to draw out infection. I think it worked OK...for the 70s.

The panty liner/pad is a good suggestion as is the baking soda.

I don't belive the OP meant anything malicious by it being a hospice patient. I would imagine that patient comfort would be achieved knowing that the odor was controlled. After all it would be a comfort measure wouldn't it?

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

For fulminating/necrosing cancer wounds that have that rotting smell, I used to use metrogel if available, or dressings saturated w/IV metrodonizole (flagyl).