HELP! Masking the smell of feces!

[WhitneyRene]

I am a first-year nursing student in my second semester of Clinical rotations. My biggest fear in pursing Nursing was not being able to contain my disdain for foul smells. Last night was my first true test on how I might be able to handle said situations and in my eyes I failed massively. I can stare at and watch some of the most grotesque things but the minute the smell hits my nares I'm donezo. Last night I was simply the holder/pusher while my classmate did the actual dirty work but even that almost had me on the verge of vomiting right where I was standing. I tried thinking of a million other things than what was perspiring. I even attempted to breath through my mouth, however, my jaw was clenched shut for fear of what would happen if I opened my mouth. All humor aside,(or not) I walked out feeling defeated and questioned if I am capable of being a "good" nurse. I'm begging for advice/tips/encouragement. Anything to take with me next week to clinical's!

-Sincerely.

[arobins72]

I keep a tube of Carmex in my pocket and put it under my nose. Vick's works well too. Just when I think I'm used to it, I get proven wrong.

[HelloWish, ADN, BSN]

I am not a nursing student yet and I know smell is something I am going to have to overcome too. I am planning to buy Thieves oil spray to carry with me, which a blend of essential oils which will help mask the odor but also supposedly help in other ways. I plan to put on a mask and spray the inside of the mask with it.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Just do not apply peppermint oil to your temples like some idiot who shall remain unnamed *coughMEcough*, thinking that she could treat it like her lavender-scented oil she uses at home.

My.. I mean... This idiot's eyes were burning and blinking like crazy.

I must have looked like a lecherous winking creep having a series of petit mal seizures.

ROFL!!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

You can use any of these tricks or none of them, the bottom line is you WILL get used to funky smells. No one LIKES them, but you do get USED to them.

When I was a student, I had a very small tin of BabyVicks (vapo rub stuff) that had enough of a menthol smell, I figured I'd use that under my nostrils. Never seemed to happen that I had the foresight or time to put that stuff on, however, and there I was: tin unopened in my pocket, or in my bookbag, whatever. It did work on the few occasions I got to use it! But overall, most of the time, I didn't have anything.

Still, doesn't matter: I got used to the odors and carried on. You will too :)

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Some smells never get easier to tolerate. GI bleeds come to mind. I'm in agreement with peppermint oil. It's more discreet than spraying air freshener, which I fear would embarrass the patient.

Vicks under the nose works well as does Chapstick. The best cure is exposure. I deal with poop so frequently I don't even think twice about it.

The Ozium I suggested isn't sweet and I bought one that was hand held...it smells kind of like that new car smell...you can hold it discretely in your hand and give a small spray. It is powerful stuff and works miracles.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

As others mentioned....Vicks works. Note however the nose can be an important assessment tool:p

[KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN]

Using shaving cream (the foamy kind) when wiping butts is a "two-fer". It helps clean and cuts the odor down immediately.

I've been doing this for years.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

me too....but if their behind is raw at all....the alcohol content in the shaving cream hurts like crazy.

[KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN]

me too....but if their behind is raw at all....the alcohol content in the shaving cream hurts like crazy.

If their behind is raw it's going to hurt like crazy no matter what you do.

[amygarside]

You will have to learn how to enjoy it. LOL. As you get along the way, you can learn a trick that best works for you. Mouth breathing would always work.

[CWONgal]

I agree with Esme about the alcohol....just because "it's going to hurt anyways" doesn't mean it's ok to use the product. I wish more people could experience being a patient...

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

I agree with Esme about the alcohol....just because "it's going to hurt anyways" doesn't mean it's ok to use the product. I wish more people could experience being a patient...

I agree and the sting may be a different kind of pain that could make the experience worse. Also, alcohol can dry the skin and make it even more fragile.

I like this thing called buttfoam. It is basically a foaming cleanser that it is great at breaking up feces and making it easier to wipe off. The brand my hospital uses smells really nice. So nice, in fact, that even after associating that smell with pericare, I still love using the soap for my own hands.