Male Chest Hair and Scrub Tops

[Thunderwolf]

What is your vote?

Should a male nurse wearing a scrub top and has chest hair be required to wear a T shirt underneath in order to cover up the chest hair?

[all4theoutdoors]

Any body know of a male scrub top that looks like A t shirt?

[POTR]

I may wear a beard and have big feet, but that doesn't make me sasquatch.

I keep the beard trimmed, the ears trimmed, the nose trimmed, etc.

Besides what isn't turning grey is as blond as the rest, so it really doesn't stand out that much.

Yeah, I was Army, but no, I don't like the t-shirt. Too dang hot.

I'm one of those guys that sleeps naked if I can get away with it... even in an igloo.

[Angel@MyTable, RN]

I say to wear a T-shirt (they have the sleeveless kind), but if there is just a little, I wouldn't worry about it!

Now my ex is a HAIRY Italian, and man, that would NOT look good to see my nurse come in with all that hair tumbling out his scrub top! IMHO

[Scarlette Wings]

my only thoughts are the infection control risk excess hair could present. hair exposed whether beards, chest, or hanging long hair does shed and does offer a better gathering place for organisms to attach.

[Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I]

my only thoughts are the infection control risk excess hair could present. hair exposed whether beards, chest, or hanging long hair does shed and does offer a better gathering place for organisms to attach.

as a "werewolf" myself, in theory i agree. on the other hand, i already have a heck of a time not sweating on my clients. that's all i need... another layer of clothing to add to my misery. if i could get away with it, i'd be wearing a "dew" rag. i'm one of those people who are comfortable wearing t-shirt and shorts in 68 degree weather, when its 80 decress i am miserable and sweating like crazy.

does this mean i should not be in patient care?

[tshores]

Chest hair is no more "nasty" than head or arm hair or any other hair. Who decided that it is? Where did this all come from anyhow? They're MEN, not women. And they shouldn't have to cover up any more than women have to.

[I_LOVE_TRAUMA, RN]

Sorry, but I decided that chest hair is more nasty than head or arm hair. And appearantly so did a lot of other people on this forum. It's BODY hair & it should be covered. And if woman have chest hair they should cover it too... Very unprofessional, & IMHO, if you have chest hair... FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE SHAVE IT!! Just gross!!

[POTR]

Sorry, but I decided that chest hair is more nasty than head or arm hair. And appearantly so did a lot of other people on this forum. It's BODY hair & it should be covered. And if woman have chest hair they should cover it too... Very unprofessional, & IMHO, if you have chest hair... FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE SHAVE IT!! Just gross!!

Since you brought up God... God put it there, I'd be inclined to think that it would be against God to shave it.

Even without arguing theology...

Just like your eyebrows and eyelashes, which end up everywhere any other body hair will end up (but I won't ask you to pluck), all hair serves a purpose. Not only is our hair part of the body's natural defense and temperature regulating systems, it also reduces friction with clothing, reducing irritation. Shaving increases friction due to the resultant stubble as well as producing it's own irritation and skin damage opening up the possibility of infections.

Even if you dismiss hair functions as outdated or not necessary in modern society, body hair still serves as an important indicator of overall health. Shaving it all off means we won't know if it were falling out. If it IS falling out at something other than a normal rate, then it may be the result of an underlying medical condition that we would want some early warning for things like Cancer, disruptions in organ function, hormonal imbalances and pituitary problems.

Since, presumably, we are all bathing/showering, the majority of any normal hair loss is gonna go down the drain or get stuck to the sides of the tub, not leap out of a scrub top and dance around on a patient's oatmeal or wound site.

I personally have more of a problem with people that act like they are trying to show off their T-backs and "tramp stamps" at work.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I voted against the T-shirt.

Facial jewelry, fingernails from hell (male and female), beards/chin hairs (male and female), mustaches (male and female), long hair hainging in your work (male and famale), camel toes, body/mouth odor (male and female) and visible cracks (butt or clevage) can all be distracting, offensive and unprofessional. What can we pick on next? You are bound to offend someone eventually.

Camel toes OMG I can't believe you said that. Then again I can't believe when people have them. LOL

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I bet if women had chest hair they would be forced to wax it or wear a tee.

[POTR]

Eh, I don't care if you've got a unibrow, mustache, hairy chest or hairy mole, I'm not going to say you have to get rid of it.

[I_LOVE_TRAUMA, RN]

Um... I didn't really bring up God or how he must have had a grand plan for our body hair, but anyway, sorry if I hit a nerve or something.

You must be a. Either a man who obviously likes woman who don't shave their legs or pits, or b. A woman who doesn't shave her legs or pits, or c. A man who looks like a caveman and either way I think that's gross as well...

Also , I have a masters and have been a nurse for a loooong time so please spare me the biology lesson.

Hair can also harbor lots of harmful organisms, and can also hinder keeping the body clean & hygenic, which is why we often clip or shave it prior to procedures.

I personally don't like a lot of the unprofessional images many medical staff have, (like the tramp stamp), but the questions asks about males with chest hair, an our OPINION of how we think it looks and I again must say shave it or cover it up!