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!

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

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?

It's not, trust me on this one.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

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.

I didn't get from the OP that the problem is a lack of efficacy -- I got that the problem was it was making her sick.

We have had scent-free policies for YEARS because this is a real issue for people. My first scent-free workplace told us that lotion or perfume could induce legit allergy/asthma sx in our colleagues and pts. No exception was made if someone wanted to wear lavender oil vs Chanel no. 5. Now these same people who the scent-free policies were supposed to protect, are now being asked to expose themselves to highly concentrated scents? It's nonsense.

[kakamegamama]

I thought essential oils are considered "cosmetics" which keeps them outside the FDA regulation other than saying they are generally safe to apply...thus are not considered "medicinal" other than by those selling them; along with the customer testimonies.

My Sweet Petunia has a couple of these miniature electric boiling cauldrons in the house for "aerosolizing" essential oils; I forgot what they are called. I think the most recent scent she is using is "Peace and Harmony."

Are you experiencing peace and harmony with the diffusing of said essential oils in your home? :-)

[kakamegamama]

Finally a reasonable pro and con of essential oil use. I like the fragrances of some, but I'm one of those who can't walk into a room in which essential oils are diffused without having an allergic reaction/headache/runny nose. A little goes a veeery looong way for me.