Dealing with horrible smells....

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hey everyone,

Ok this is my first post and hopefully some grizzled/battle-tested old nurse can help out a new comer. Any advice for dealing with some of the less than pleasant odors I will be forced to deal with on the job in my future career? I sometimes use Carmex (used normally for chapped lips) inside my nares to help b/c my nose is dry often and this seems to help control foul odors a little bit. One of my professors said that when she was in nursing school some people used peppermint oil to cover up the stenches they encountered. Any advice? Should I just tough it out and soon I will adapt or are there secret tips that I haven't figured out yet that will help me in my quest to keep my lunch down.

Thanks in advance.

C

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Two words: Vicks VapoRub.

Place a dab under your nostrils prior to dealing with odoriferous emanations, and it will help you hang onto your groceries even through the worst of 'em.

I carry a small jar in my med cart at work.......although sometimes it finds its way into my pocket if there's a lot of, er, effluvia on a given shift.

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All right, gonna pick some Vick's up and see how it works, thank you for your advice! I appreciate your counsel.:D

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I have heard about the Vicks cure - I have one of those "Air Purifiers" you wear like a necklace, and it does blow a bit of fresh air in your face. They're also supposed to work to kill viruses.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

Apparently, my orfactory nerves have burned out, about all I can smell now is a GI bleed / golytely prep -- more subtle things, I don't smell them anymore....

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After a while, you won't even notice it. With that being said, I am a microbiologist who now attends nursing school. I am extremely sensitive to smells, soooo I have learned to breathe through my mouth. It works well in short term situations when you are stuck in a smelly situation. But please, don't ever show your discust in front of the patients. Just grin, bear it and gaggg later. LOL

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

Three words - Atomic Fire Balls. Particularly effective when stuck for long periods in C. Diff isolation rooms cleaning messes! :redlight: Beware, they are pretty hot. I take at least 3 for every shift!

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When I am anticipating bad smells, I breathe through my mouth.

Somehow I have gotten into the habit of switching my nose off.

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