Addressing Student Body Odor

[SchoolNurseK]

How do I delicately approach a student regarding body odor? Particularly if they come from a cultural background where deodorant is not common and body odor is not viewed as an issue?

[linda1959]

I think I am probably going against the grain here. I see this topic a lot, and nurses who are uncomfortable, and I am not sure I understand it.

First, if a teacher has difficulty addressing the issue, I don't mind doing it. it's education about hygiene, which is not outside the scope of my practice.

Second, I am just upfront. "Someone came to me about a problem with body odor on you." I talk about how they don't need to be embarrassed, but I want to help them fix it before other kids notice and make fun of them. I ask some questions to determine the cause- ie are they wearing clean clothes, and if not why (lazy or no ability to wash them?). Are they using deodorant? Are they showering and if not, why not (no shower available, lazy, or sensory issue with the shower?)

Once I determine the problem, we trouble shoot for a solution the best we can. I am talking about later elementary and high school. Little ones might need a parent called. Whether I eventually call the parent with an older student depends a lot on many factors.

I just don't see what all the hesitation is among nurses to help with this, and why it just can't be a conversation of "I am being told about this problem and want to help you. "

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

On 1/2/2020 at 1:41 PM, linda1959 said:

I think I am probably going against the grain here. I see this topic a lot, and nurses who are uncomfortable, and I am not sure I understand it.

First, if a teacher has difficulty addressing the issue, I don't mind doing it. it's education about hygiene, which is not outside the scope of my practice.

Second, I am just upfront. "Someone came to me about a problem with body odor on you." I talk about how they don't need to be embarrassed, but I want to help them fix it before other kids notice and make fun of them. I ask some questions to determine the cause- ie are they wearing clean clothes, and if not why (lazy or no ability to wash them?). Are they using deodorant? Are they showering and if not, why not (no shower available, lazy, or sensory issue with the shower?)

Once I determine the problem, we trouble shoot for a solution the best we can. I am talking about later elementary and high school. Little ones might need a parent called. Whether I eventually call the parent with an older student depends a lot on many factors.

I just don't see what all the hesitation is among nurses to help with this, and why it just can't be a conversation of "I am being told about this problem and want to help you. "

Oh, I won't hesitate - I've done this talk a lot. But it goes much, much better when I have a relationship with the student vs "I've had someone tell me about your body odor and they asked me to have a conversation with you" (vs them having the conversation themselves with you).

I've supported many a staff member who does have the better relationship in ways to have the conversation, support for the what the student needs (deodorant, access to a shower, access to a washer/dryer, etc).

Word got around that I have mini deodorants because of this; I know how high students come in and ask for them if they need them. I'm cool with that - I actually get way my boys asking and it lessens the Axe Body Spray unleashed in the building lol.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i'm not hesitant about it. In fact it can sometimes uncover other deeper issues at home that need to be addressed. Occasionally, I'll use THAT as my spring board to have the hygiene discussion. Make sure that there is hot water to take showers and access to laundry services. Sometimes there isn't and the child is walking around in the same ratty sweatshirt for weeks because it's the only long-sleeve item they have because the electric was shut off for nonpayment and laundry hasn't been done in ages. That is something I can work with. Social services can often help with this. However, having a washer and dryer IN the school is pretty high on my wish list.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Just now, Flare said:

i'm not hesitant about it. In fact it can sometimes uncover other deeper issues at home that need to be addressed. Occasionally, I'll use THAT as my spring board to have the hygiene discussion. Make sure that there is hot water to take showers and access to laundry services. Sometimes there isn't and the child is walking around in the same ratty sweatshirt for weeks because it's the only long-sleeve item they have because the electric was shut off for nonpayment and laundry hasn't been done in ages. That is something I can work with. Social services can often help with this. However, having a washer and dryer IN the school is pretty high on my wish list.

It was huge on mine for several years and this year I finally got one!!! It is a game changer, I tell you.

[Mavnurse17, BSN, RN]

On 12/20/2019 at 11:46 AM, ruby_jane said:

If this bothers a teacher and the teacher is asking you for help, I would always be available to be on the phone as the TEACHER called the parent with his/her concerns. But make that call? No thanks.

How do you politely but assertively tell the teacher that this will need to be their task? Every time I try to mention it, they always say "no but you're the NURSE and it needs to come from the NURSE since it's about the body." ?

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

16 hours ago, Mavnurse17 said:

How do you politely but assertively tell the teacher that this will need to be their task? Every time I try to mention it, they always say "no but you're the NURSE and it needs to come from the NURSE since it's about the body." ?

This happened recently, came from a teacher who is known to like a certain type of student; driven, achieving etc, (so she doesn't have to work that hard with them). ?

Told her flat out, I have never laid eyes on the girl and had no relationship with her. Upon further investigation, this has already been addressed by others to no avail. Family situation is ok at home (per her guidance counsler) and this is clearly a choice. Note she is autistic with some some behavior issues (more passive aggressive than anything else.

Teacher was not impressed....and I don't care. She clearly thought is was my job. And I would do it in an heartbeat as needed.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

19 hours ago, Mavnurse17 said:

How do you politely but assertively tell the teacher that this will need to be their task? Every time I try to mention it, they always say "no but you're the NURSE and it needs to come from the NURSE since it's about the body." ?

No, it needs to come from YOU. I am happy to help YOU, though...

On 1/6/2020 at 7:54 AM, JenTheSchoolRN said:

it lessens the Axe Body Spray unleashed in the building lol.

My own 8th grader carries a spray can of axe in his backpack- I feel for the middle school teachers ?

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Just now, MHDNURSE said:

My own 8th grader carries a spray can of axe in his backpack- I feel for the middle school teachers ?

This is why when we talk about sexuality and media in my 7th grade health class, I show an Old Spice commercial vs Axe. Because if they are influenced to buy, at least it will be Old Spice and not Axe, haha.

[LPN Retired, LPN]

On 12/22/2019 at 7:24 PM, CommunityRNBSN said:

I like that you’re thinking creatively but I don’t like this idea! I think he would think that a peer wrote it and he’d be mortified, thinking that everyone was gossiping about him.

And besides how do you get into someones locker? Aren't they locked? Isn't that the purpose of a locker, to lock and keep others out?

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

4 minutes ago, LPN Retired said:

And besides how do you get into someones locker? Aren't they locked? Isn't that the purpose of a locker, to lock and keep others out?

I think most schools don't allow kids to use their own locks anymore and either lockers are unlocked or the locks/combinations are known by admin... We rented our locks from the school when I was in MS/HS, and the combos were written down by admin. What if a kid was hiding a weapon in their locker and admin finds out! They need to be able to get into the locker ASAP.

[tining, BSN, RN]

We have master locker keys for that.