Foul Odors

[bleu_3]

Anyone out there have any tricks for covering up foul odors? Last week was my very first clinicals. I had to empty out a ostomy bag and I almost puked!!! I had to pull myself together in the bathroom before I could face my pt again. Any tips would be very helpful. I NEVER want to smell that again!!!!!!!

[Princess74]

Rub some vicks under your nose, it helps!

[bleu_3]

Doesn't Vick's open up the nasal passages?

[emllpn2006]

Vicks works wonders. The smell of vicks is so strong you cant smell anything else. We used it when observing in the or for open heart to avoid smelling the burning flesh smell of cauterizing and it worked like a charm.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Nothing wrong with the approach you took. Sometimes you have to leave the room. Sometimes even stepping back a few feet, or turning your head gives you some fresher air. Taking smaller shallower breathes, holding it longer helps too. Eventually we get used to it.

Good luck.

[augigi, CNS]

I learned the knack of switching "off" my smelling ability and breathing through my mouth - I don't even think about it now, it's automatic!

[leeae85]

I dont know if this will work for you, but it does for me. Try Smiling:wink2: . I guess it doesnt do anything for the smell, but it suppresses the gag reflex so you wont feel like you're gonna upchuck your lunch!:barf01:

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Try doing a search on these boards for that....lots have been suggested.

A hint for the colostomy...if they don't have the drop in deoderizer tabs...sometimes a few drops of mouthwash helps with the odor for the next time you empty it. Also,if I need to burp the bag, I try to do it under the covers. LOL...keeps the smell down.

[Jules A, MSN]

Pop a Halls cough drop in your mouth and you won't smell a thing! Not one of the fruity good tasting ones but the old fashion yellow horrible tasting ones, lol.

[mamason]

Vick's Vapor Stick. Inhale it into both notrils before going to change the bag. It seemed to help me when encountering foul odors. Doesn't last long but might help you get through it.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

How do you guys carry all of this around?!?! Our scrub tops don't have pockets and my pants overfloweth!! I checked WalMart for very tiny-sized Vicks' and had no luck!! I might have to figure out how to make my own as I am VERY afraid I won't have much class when this time comes for me!! ARGH!!!!

[fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN]

I learned the art of mouth breathing observing in the OR - total knee replacement and the smell of burning flesh is worse than any poop I have come across so far. Otherwise, I carry a small tube of peppermint aromatherapy oil from Bath&body works - a dab under the nose helps! Today in clinical a pt farted in my face while I was doing a dressing change on his coccyx (spelling??) - the nurse in the room with me made a joke of it and we all had a good laugh! Sometimes you just gotta roll with em!