How to get stool smell off of your hands?

I just started working my first job as an LPN for a Home Health Agency. I have one client who I take care of in the mornings before I go to my full time office job. This client has paralysis and requires a bowel program each morning in which I have to stimulate the rectum manually, administer enemas and digitally remove stool.

I obviously have gloves on when doing this, and I've washed my hands a zillion times. I have also used 4 different types of hand sanitizer--so I KNOW my hands are clean. But my fingers STILL smell like stool! How do I get this off of my hands? I really don't think its in just lingering in my nose because my other hand does not smell like this and I can only smell it when I bring "the fingers" to my nose.

Any advice from seasoned nurses????

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

2 of you have said cold 1st then hot. I never heard of such a thing....

Cant belive Iam typing this, "but Hey I cant wait to try it!!! "

Bring on the poo!!!

[DA314]

Quote

sounds wierd but i use a metal spoon when i chop garlic when cooking at home. if you run your hands under water and rub your hands all over with the metal, it reacts with it and removes the smell. maybe it would work with stool lol

If you try this, I would recommend marking this spoon as your poo-spoon so you don't accidentally wash it and use it to eat! Ick!

[BSN2010]

Agreed- shaving cream works the best to cut smell!

[ASUN2010]

I could have used this at last week's clinicals lol...I kept smelling stool until late that night thanks!!!

[BlueBug]

Double or triple glove...

[Shenanigans, RN]

Maybe its pscyhological?

But I find really REALLY hot water if the smell just won't work, that coupled with normal dishwashing liquid.

[jeepgirl, LPN, NP]

Don't double glove - it weakens the integrity of the glove...

[Xbox Live Addict]

earle58 said:

Ah gentle, I was just going to post about the shaving cream.
Works like a dream.

Some of our aides use it during pericare.

Shaving cream does work wonders, but unfortunately, it's never to be done in front of a state surveyor. It's a major write-up if a surveyor catches staff using shaving cream for peri-care in my area.

[Peri]

Xbox Live Addict said:

Shaving cream does work wonders, but unfortunately, it's never to be done in front of a state surveyor. It's a major write-up if a surveyor catches staff using shaving cream for peri-care in my area.

Really? Why?

(From the UK - sorry)

[morte, LPN, LVN]

toothpaste was my thought, shaving cream too......BUT the gloves must be somewhat permeable....how about trying thicker, less permeable gloves? and if stool is getting thru, what else is getting thru?

[DoeRN]

gentlegiver said:

ok, this is tried and true, I even use it on pt's after a BM. Shaving Cream, doesn't have to be scented, just wash hands with shaving cream first, rinse then use soap & water. Works every time!

I have used shaving cream to clean up patients too. Never tried it on my hands though.

[radmom]

Have you tried vinegar?