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????

[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?

[emnicams]

Same thing happened to me after doing a disimpaction recently. I washed my hands twice and then scratched my nose... and got a whiff. Tried washing my hands a 3rd time, and the smell was still there. I ended up taking an Aseptiwipe and scrubbing my finger with it, and it did the trick. Then washing my hands AGAIN. (Yes, I know you aren't supposed to use those on skin, but I was desperate.)

Kind of disturbing that the odor went through the glove... yikes.

[bethin]

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!

Off topic but I also use shaving cream on patients who haven't bathed since the Millennium. Works great at cutting armpit odor.

[chef2rn]

Scrub up to your elbows! I've had it happen where I washed my hands 3 or four times, but could still smell it. Found a tiny smear on my forearm.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Try making a paste of baking soda and peroxide. I used that to get the skunk smell off of my dog. Or maybe rinse with a little bleach then wash hands with soap and water right away to remove bleach before it irritates your skin.