Essential oils in hospitals

[SarahRN32514]

I have issues with other nurses on my floor using copious amounts of oils to where you can smell out which direction they went 5 mins after they left! Our hospital has a low/no fragrance policy but since so many people (including managers) are supporters its not enforced. I have headaches at work from the strong smell. I feel like I have no support because it's considered 'medicinal'. Help!

[broughden]

I have ran into a few nurses who overdo the oils. I don't mind it, because I'm not sensitive to it, and I love the smell of them.

That being said, I WILL apply a drop or two of peppermint oil to my nose before cleaning some incontinent c-diff mess that just happened all over the bed. I will not subject myself to that without peppermint. Nope.

The deodorizers my hospital provides are a joke, if they are ever stocked.

As a former cop, we would rub Vicks Vapor Rub on our upper lip to kill the smell of decomposition. Or if we were wearing a disposable face mask we would rub it on the inside of the mask.

I wonder if its strong enough to handle a Code Brown C. diff mess as well?

[LovingLife123]

Freaking essential oils!! I'm so tired of hearing about them. It's called the placebo effect which is why I'm guessing hospitals are encouraging it. It cuts down on opioid usage. Since we now have a shortage of IV pain meds, I'm guessing this is their alternative to keeping HCAPS up.

[Medic_Murse, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Not gonna lie. Glade's Apple Cinnamon air freshener...is AWESOME!

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

Freaking essential oils!! I'm so tired of hearing about them. It's called the placebo effect which is why I'm guessing hospitals are encouraging it. It cuts down on opioid usage. Since we now have a shortage of IV pain meds, I'm guessing this is their alternative to keeping HCAPS up.

For sure. Nice smells make us feel relaxed and happy, but what smells good to me might be offensive to you. Strong scents are not appropriate for enclosed spaces full of people.

Outside of work, my go-to "perfume" is vanilla extract and ground cinammon, combed through my hair. It's lovely.

Not gonna lie. Glade's Apple Cinnamon air freshener...is AWESOME!

I cant live without my Balsam Fir and Crisp Apple Yankee Candles, regardless of the time of year haha.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Freaking essential oils!! I'm so tired of hearing about them. It's called the placebo effect which is why I'm guessing hospitals are encouraging it. It cuts down on opioid usage. Since we now have a shortage of IV pain meds, I'm guessing this is their alternative to keeping HCAPS up.

It's HCAHPS

Essential oils are very effective for some things, and they're not always placebo. Lavender essential oil has been found in a placebo-controlled trial to be effective for migraines. Women in labor have long found some essential oils to be a great adjunct for pain management.

Now, if your ire is at Doterra and other various MLMs that claim that essential oils can cure ADHD, allergies, GERD, IBS, cancer, and everything else under the sun, then I'm with you.

[SmilingBluEyes]

It's HCAHPS

Essential oils are very effective for some things, and they're not always placebo. Lavender essential oil has been found in a placebo-controlled trial to be effective for migraines. Women in labor have long found some essential oils to be a great adjunct for pain management.

Now, if your ire is at Doterra and other various MLMs that claim that essential oils can cure ADHD, allergies, GERD, IBS, cancer, and everything else under the sun, then I'm with you.

Hmmmm interesting. Essential oils CAUSE migraines for me.

eh, leave that junk at home.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

Ugh some Males wear too much perfume,after shave whatever,when it is too much it is nauseating.

[trytounderstand]

It's HCAHPS

Essential oils are very effective for some things, and they're not always placebo. Lavender essential oil has been found in a placebo-controlled trial to be effective for migraines. Women in labor have long found some essential oils to be a great adjunct for pain management.

Now, if your ire is at Doterra and other various MLMs that claim that essential oils can cure ADHD, allergies, GERD, IBS, cancer, and everything else under the sun, then I'm with you.

I have used lavender for migraines with great success and have also witnessed the allergic reaction it causes in some people. Actually to the point of not being able to breathe. Peppermint oil can help with nerve pain but has to be applied with a carrier oil or it can actually burn the skin.

The truth is essential oils and herbs have been used in or as medicines for years. For instance feverfew lowers temperature helps with pain controls migraines and relieves swelling but if you combine it with say aspirin ibuprofen or other nsaids you are increasing the dosage.

Some essential oils and herbs lower blood pressure. Others raise blood pressure. Care has to be taken when exposing other people as wellas yourself to the benefits or dangers. For instance too much ginger or rosemary can raise blood pressure. Tea tree oil will being touted to help help with control of lice can trigger seizures for epileptics.

While the glade air fresheners smell great for some people they create misery because of the chemicals that produce the beautiful aroma. For the diffusers care has to be taken because while lavender being diffused for me is a relaxing migraine free day for the next person walking into my home or office it could cause an asthma attack. The wiscks used in some candles release chemicals into the air that can trigger breathing issues.

Research research research should be done before using and applying essential oils and herbs.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26947[/ATTACH]

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!

Thank you, Davey.

[Neats, BSN]

I use sunscreen all the time because of the threat of skin cancer and I do not want to look like a baseball glove when I am 60 something...

Coppertone does have a smell my nose cannot smell anything any more. One of my Pharmacists would say to me I can smell you what perfume are you wearing. I told him I do not wear perfume. We whittled it down to my Coppertone sunscreen, I smelled like the beach. I bought new non-smell sunscreen and that seemed to do the trick. I would not want to cause anyone headaches/migraines just because of the way I smell.

Essentials oils according to FDA:

Under the law, how "aromatherapy" products are regulated depends mainly on how they are intended to be used.

FDA determines a product's intended use based on factors such as claims made in the labeling, on websites, and in advertising, as well as what consumers expect it to do. We also look at how a product is marketed, not just a word or phrase taken out of context. Finally, we make decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Sometimes people think that if an "essential oil" or other ingredient comes from a plant, it must be safe. But many plants contain materials that are toxic, irritating, or likely to cause allergic reactions when applied to the skin.

For example, cumin oil is safe in food, but can cause the skin to blister. Certain citrus oils used safely in food can also be harmful in cosmetics, particularly when applied to skin exposed to the sun.

FDA doesn't have regulations defining "natural" or "organic" for cosmetics. All cosmetic products and ingredients must meet the same safety requirement, regardless of their source. To learn more, see "'Organic' Cosmetics" and "FDA's Poisonous Plant Database."

Your description of how the smells and oils are being used seem to me aromatherapy. I would speak to HR about a company wide reminder of smells and how you have the responsibility in the workforce to not be smelling offensive to anyone.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Methinks it's time for a visit to Emplyee Health to report your occupational health issue.

[utf512]

Essential oils was a part of hospice care when I worked at the hospiral. We mixed it in lotion and applied it to the patients. It does work. Perhaps you can suggest this.