Body Odor

k1p1ssk, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2021

It sounds like you have done more than the average individual in terms of supportive in-school care. Unfortunately, I think you are really only left with contacting the family. Perhaps trying to set up an interdisciplinary meeting with admin, school counselor, yourself, and the parent(s) to delicately discuss the impact it is having on the student and others. Find out the why behind the issues - are the caregivers dealing with depression or anxiety? It may be a wake-up call for the family as a whole.

Is the student frequently sick or absent? Is she up to date on vaccines? Have they had a recent physical? This may be a good segue to get in touch with their PCP as well.

Other than the above, I know I have contemplated fundraising to get a washing machine and dryer set up in my school for these types of scenarios.

unexpectedllama · Sep 15, 2021

I agree that you've already gone above and beyond here. At my school, I've had similar issues - mostly with refugee students. We are lucky enough to have a shower in the health office but this is a high school and no one wants to use it. We've had some success keeping body wipes for these students and when they are sent to us, they can "wipe off" in the bathroom. It isn't much, but it helps a little. I've also gotten school social workers involved, so if you have one available they might be a good contact.

I've asked the students if they have running water at home, etc. since sometimes it's an issue of not having utilities. I also offer deodorant, shampoo, etc. to take home.

But, like you, I've been met with a lot of resistance and irritated teachers. Sometimes it feels there's just not much more you can do.

nursekoll, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2021

I agree with the above suggestions. I have a few students who do not have hot water at home, so we have made arrangements for them to shower daily at school as well as wash clothes here. I put emphasis on the importance of cleanliness as a health issue as well as a social issue. I get donations of deodorant, shampoo, and body wash from PTO for students in need of those items. I don't usually get very far with the parents, as they either don't see the problem or are too embarrassed to face their shortcomings (mostly poverty-related). This is usually not the kid's fault, so I tell the kids, these are the expectations at school and here's the plan. Good luck!

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2021

They should have hygiene class from grade 1, hand washing,bathing was always in those old 50s films ,why stop.Nasty body odor ,dirty clothes would never be tolerated in certain countries .Why it is tolerated here is beyond me, first get clean then we can talk about feely good things.

Lbarba84 · Sep 27, 2021

So this has been an ongoing issue with this family. the 5 girls we have in the district all seem to get complaints from teachers last year about a very strong cat urine smell. last year it wasnt nearly as bad but I did deal with lice almost weekly with these students as well. when I talk to mom she seems to give the reasoning that the cats are in the girls room is to why they have the odor that they have. this year I decided to be more strategic about it and have some designated clothes in my bathroom for the one child to change as she needs so the teacher can also get some relief as well. when the teacher talked with the student she has mentioned she only showers once a week and clothes as well, and when I talk to mom I get a different story. from my understanding DPS has stopped by several times and have said its a lifestyle issue.

Our family rescource specialist has reached out for several years to offer a place to shower, clothing, etc. and I guess mom does not want the help and gets upset when we offer such.

Something just doesnt sit right with me about this, I guess the health aide at the sister's middle school called me today because she went to her today and said she was in the hospital last week because she was being poisioned by her sisters??..parent was called and said that was not the case

this whole thing is totally bazaar....

has anyone else gotten to this point with a student/family?

MHDNURSE · Sep 28, 2021

Is there any chance they are running a meth lab in their home? Meth smells just like cat urine. And people who own cats will tell you that unless the cats are actively peeing on their stuff, someone with cats in their home do not just smell like cat urine.

I think this is worth another call to DCF- even just to run it by them, mention your concerns, the on going issues with the smell, the lice, the "poisoning", etc.

Lbarba84 · Sep 28, 2021

I forgot about the meth/cat urine I would think dps would have noticed it? but who knows right?

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Oct 19, 2021

On 9/25/2021 at 3:03 PM, Leader25 said:

They should have hygiene class from grade 1, hand washing,bathing was always in those old 50s films ,why stop.Nasty body odor ,dirty clothes would never be tolerated in certain countries .Why it is tolerated here is beyond me, first get clean then we can talk about feely good things.

Well, as a school nurse of 28 years, there are often many reasons, other than bad hygiene, that contribute to this issue.

1) No water 2) No hot water 3) no washer or dryer 4) they are homeless and living in a car or tent 5) nobody ever taught them

I could go on and on...a little empathy goes a long way

RatherBHiking, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2022

I wish I had advice that worked. There are some situations where you can have tried it all (educating student and parents, washing their clothes, having them clean up or shower, providing new clothes, calling CPS, teaching the class hygeine, etc) and the kids will still stink because you can lead a family to soap and water but you can't make them consistently use it or care.

Many don't have washers/dryers that work and it's expensive for them to go to the laundromat and they're too embarrassed to use the schools.

Many times their entire houses stink because they usually have pets and no one every cleans and the clothes pick up the scent. Cleanliness is not important to everyone or a big priority or some.

The biggest problem for the kids is no one wants to be around them and kids start making fun of them. You'd think this would be enough motivation for the parents and kids to try harder but in many cases it's like they dig in their heals with an attitude of if people don't like it we don't want anything to do with them anyway. Also when they live with it they don't smell it so it's hard to convince them how bad it really is.

The masks do help everyone else tolerate it now so there's one good thing from the pandemic!

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2022

So bumping this thread up to circle back to no washer/dryer could be the issue.

So, I had a HS student that graduated a few years old. Lovely young man, lived below poverty level, mom struggled with addiction. Odor issue was big - but he did have access to most items to maintain hygiene most of the time EXCEPT a washer/dryer. And he did not have the money for the laundromat.

We came up with a plan. I got $40 in petty cash to give to this student every two week. I ordered some detergent pods and dryer sheets. I'd make the student a care package - discretely packaged, often in a school non-descript plastic bag he'd put into his backpack. He knew he checked in with me every two weeks. He went to the laundromat and did his laundry.

Since then, I advocated for a washer/dryer at school and got one. Game changer for me!

Flare, ASN, BSN · Jan 26, 2022

I believe every school should have a washer and dryer. I also believe that home ec classes should be even more mandatory than technology classes. The kids learn quickly how to use a computer, but so many of them do not know the basic principles of making a healthy meal, household budgeting, washing clothes, etc. Additionally, even if a student isn't enrolled in home ec at that time, there is a washer/dryer there where they can clean their clothing.