Curving the stomach turning smells?

[bluedove1]

What do you use to curve those stomach turning smells that we encounter working with some pts?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Do you mean *curb*? I was trying to figure out how anyone could curve their stomachs... might be a neat trick.

It's usually much more practical to control your reaction to noxious stimuli (sights, smells & sometimes sounds) than come up with a way to stop the stink. For odors, mouth breathing & applying a dab of mentholated vaseline below the nose (clear, so it's not apparent to patient) are some common techniques. Consult with your wound care specialists - they are the real experts in his area.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

VICKS under(or in) your nares....or spirits of peppermint. I used to carry my own spray pocket sized...best stuff for odors....

you buy it at drug stores or online.

[bluedove1]

Esme, is it called spirit of peppermint.....meaning do I go to the store and look for that name or peppermint oil?

[nuse2b]

I think desensitizing ones self, go in the heat and go smell a dumpster.

Walk into dirty utility rooms

I know gross, but helps you get used to it or at least your reaction to them.

Good luck

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

Vicks makes a nasal inhaler so you do not need to deal with the goopyness of vicks. It saves my life, because smells set off my gag reflex. I will say that I am getting desensitized to them, so it might go away with exposure.

[mclennan, BSN, RN]

Nursing stations where I am usually have a jar of Vicks to help CURB the stink.

[twss2323]

Vicks makes a nasal inhaler so you do not need to deal with the goopyness of vicks. It saves my life, because smells set off my gag reflex. I will say that I am getting desensitized to them, so it might go away with exposure.

I was planning on looking for a small trawl sized Vicks to carry with me, I might have to look for the inhaler!!!

[amberella123]

I just became desensitized. So I agree with the person above. Start sniffing stinky stuff.

[Sparrow91]

The more you are around it the easier it will be, I have been working as a CNA for 5+ years and now smells don't really phase me. I would not recommend the vics rout myself. Quite honestly our hands are disgusting and despite our best efforts there are times when we forget to wash our hands effectively and so the little vics container becomes a breeding ground for everything! I would especially avoid ones left at nurses stations! Just because you may be religious about hand washing does not mean that everyone else is!