What are your thoughts on staff and/or patients that don't wear it?
I went into a patient's room and could barely stay in there for long because the rancid smell of BO made me nauseated.
I also have a coworker that doesn't wear deoderant for cultural reasons/because she doesn't believe she should cover up her "natural scent" because it doesn't smell bad to her.
On one hand I really do appreciate the cultural aspect and belief that human body smells are treated differently in different places.
However it is distracting and also affects everyone around them. So I on the other hand, I think it should be worn out of respect for others.
The liquid soap in the hospital is very effective when applied directly to armpits. You just have to find an excuse. Easy for patients, but your coworkers will be a challenge.
Yup. I will find a way to do a quick washup bedside... and you know what? That deoderant will get put on, I just do it.
Co-workers. "Hey, someone has the worst BO! Who is it? It's not me is it? Did you forget to put any deoderant on, OMG. You can get it in the shop in the lobby, you know, I keep some in my locker in case I forget!
In the workplace environment, it is expected you show up each day having completed your ADLs. :)
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
If you are not comfortable with confrontation, leave a nice anonymous gift for the smelly coworker. An elegant basket filled with bar soaps, body washes, after-bath splash, shampoo, deodorant, antiperspirant, and lightly scented lotion with a note to 'please use these items ASAP' should be enough for a reasonably intelligent colleague to get the idea.
If you are not comfortable with confrontation, leave a nice anonymous gift for the smelly coworker. An elegant basket filled with bar soaps, body washes, after-bath splash, shampoo, deodorant, antiperspirant, and lightly scented lotion with a note to 'please use these items ASAP' should be enough for a reasonably intelligent colleague to get the idea.
tc, i think just a bottle of deodorant would suffice.
I would certainly prefer if my pt's did not have a BO/BM/?? odor to them, but working in the ER you are kinda helpless in that regard.
With staff, we just need to make sure we don't go too far in the other direction. Just yesterday I was riding down the parking garage elevator at the beginning of the day. There was a group of residents (i.e. physician residents) also arriving for their day. As a group, they had such strong smelling perfumes, colognes, body sprays, etc. that I was feeling nauseated coming off the elevator. Feel sorry for their already-ill patients.
There are two male doctors at the hospital I use that work in the ED, they do not use deoderant, I assume it is because of their culture. They reek, it penetrates the area. Last time I was there I asked for a different doctor, I wasn't trying to be rude or hateful, I simply could not tolerate the odor. I don't think that co-worker leaving a basket of soap, deoderant, etc. would be appreciated nor would it work. When you work in close quaters you have to mindful of what may be offensive to others, getting the point across is another matter.
Honestly, I wear only aluminum free deodorant, which isn't as effective. Currently it's a tea-tree oil one. I switched d/t concerns about aluminum. Hopefully it lasts t/o the shift. But I do shower before and after work.
But I do agree, some patients have strong BO. If they can't clean up for themselves, I do it for them. If they can, I ask if they need a bedbath set-up, or just set it up anyway. Usually they are glad to get it.
For what it's worth, I stopped using any and all antiperspirants including products containing aluminum. I use a natural deodorant called Toms of Maine which contains hops. They say it fights odor naturally or some such. My unit has a policy in place specifically disallowing perfumes and fragrances. I use the pine scent and haven't ever had complaints. I can also work a shift or spend a warm day active outside and not smell of BO. I sweat a fair bit on the floor, so I feel its effectiveness is rather high.
YMMV, and it's not the cheapest deodorant around. But it works for me, and they have a fragrance free variety, too. Also, my girlfriend likes the manly pine scent.
hey guys! just wanted to chip in on another alternative to traditional deoderant. i use burts bees spray on deoderant- it works great!! occasionally i might get a little damp in my pits (on super extreme exertion) but never enough to make a dreaded "pit spot" on my top...it lasts for a LONG time (ie a couple of a times i've forgotten to reapply and still not really had an unpleasant scent after 12-18 hours, oops!) and the smell fades away after a minute or two (it smells a little bit hippie-ish initially). my understanding of how it works is that it has alcohol and essential oils in it that kill bacteria/are naturally antimicrobial, thus preventing the growth of the STANKY bacteria. only drawback: DO NOT USE RIGHT AFTER SHAVING YOUR PITS . learned that the hard way, haha. owwcchhhhh need to let your skin sit for a few minutes before directly applying ETOH and essential oils!!!! okay, just my . better for your body, better for the earth, and works just as well as dove (for me at least ).
OP, good luck with your stanky sitch. ps vicks vaporub makes me dizzy/high after a while, but burts bees lip balm does NOT. smells minty and at least softens some of the harsh smells i come into contact with. gosh i think i use some kind of burts bees product for everything come to think of it !
If someone doesn't want to wear deodorant, that's their choice.
You can always eat Mexican food before going to work and gas him every chance you get - that's your prerogative too.
PS i used to work at a women's retail store and had some SERIOUSLY awful, nasty-attitudey customers so i would pretend to be "straightening" a display/table/rack right by some of the meaner ones and do a little crop dusting. be nice to sales associates in stores, they can make your shopping experience very pleasant (or utterly miserable )!
I'd be surprised if a patient who's been properly washed every day would develop a bad BO problem. The odor I have trouble dealing with doesn't come from the armpits but from the groin/butt area, probably because the sick people have trouble wiping themselves and cleaning themselves properly down there. Deodorant isn't going to help that.
As for staff, there's no excuse to come to work stinky (whether from BO, perfume, or whatever). I guess sometimes you can't control how you smell at the end of the shift, but you should if you can.
Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.
I also have a coworker that doesn't wear deoderant for cultural reasons/because she doesn't believe she should cover up her "natural scent" because it doesn't smell bad to her.
Your response: "That is so awesome! Especially when your natural scent is a**-and onions! Would you like to smell mine...?":D
. learned that the hard way, haha. owwcchhhhh need to let your skin sit for a few minutes before directly applying ETOH and essential oils!!!! okay, just my 
. better for your body, better for the earth, and works just as well as dove (for me at least 
).
That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B
3,421 Posts
Ah the old crop duster.
I personally mouth breathe, but in that subtle, you cant hear me mouth breathing way.