Hygiene Issues/Parent notification

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Any good suggestions of how to tell a parent that their High School child has an odor that is bothering students around them in class?

I already had the hygiene discussion with the student last week, (which is not my favorite thing to do) and am still getting complaints since then.

Any good ideas on how to approach this issue with parents?

Also, if anyone has found something that works good for them for the hygiene talk with students too, I'd love suggestions.

It's my 3rd year as a school nurse, in a high school. Things get better every year, but I am still trying to find the best way to handle things, run the office, etc.

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What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

Members are discussing strategies for addressing hygiene issues with high school students, particularly how to approach parents about the problem. Suggestions include asking about potential medical conditions, the age of shoes, and access to laundry facilities. Some users emphasize the importance of building trust with students before discussing hygiene, while others mention the potential sensitivity of addressing issues related to homelessness or lack of utilities. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities and challenges school nurses face in handling hygiene concerns among students.

I had to call a mother last year for her K daughter who was clearly not bathing and wearing soiled clothing. It was really uncomfortable but I tried to just be straightforward and said "your daughter is the target of unkind comments from other students due to her personal hygiene". It helped for mom to know that kids were teasing her and she in turn was coming to me upset. It worked. You are in a bit of a more complicated situation because a parent cannot really force their HS aged kid to shower, use deodorant, etc. They can nag all they want but at the end of the day, the kid will or won't listen. Perhaps take the route of concern about possible depression or other concern about emotional well-being. Good luck. I do not envy your position.

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Specializes in kids.

I have found honesty is the best policy.

1) Is there a medical condition I am unaware of?

2) How old are their shoes/sneakers (especially boys!!)

3) Do you have a working washer and dryer?

4) Do you have hot water?

5) Do you have running water?

The answers may be interesting...

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

As with similar posts...there is no school rule or policy prohibiting a student's body odor from offending someone. I always refer these things to the counselor to address under social issues or, if its bad enough, bullying.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
1 hour ago, NutmeggeRN said:

I have found honesty is the best policy.

1) Is there a medical condition I am unaware of?

2) How old are their shoes/sneakers (especially boys!!)

3) Do you have a working washer and dryer?

4) Do you have hot water?

5) Do you have running water?

The answers may be interesting...

You are among the kindest and most compassionate of us all! What a great plan. I always hated it when this happened to me especially because we had male teachers wanting me to discuss hygiene with their female students (and I get why that happens but still....)

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My guidance counselor has taken care of these types of situations. She meets with the student, then the parents, and they figure out why this is happening then launch a plan to help the student.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i don't have a problem discussing the subject of hygiene with a student, but my issue with a teacher farming it out to me is A - generally, it is for a child that I never see and the child is told "the nurse wants to see you" with no subtext and has no reason why comes in confused and what was already an uncomfortable encounter becomes even more awkward because now they KNOW that Mrs. So and So put me up to this. and B - this is a conversation that should take place in private. I don't get the luxury of an empty office very often. The parade of malingerers happens all day long. It would be even more awkward if the child in question came into my office and I immediately locked my door and dropped my privacy curtain.

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Specializes in School nursing.
1 hour ago, NutmeggeRN said:

I have found honesty is the best policy.

1) Is there a medical condition I am unaware of?

2) How old are their shoes/sneakers (especially boys!!)

3) Do you have a working washer and dryer?

4) Do you have hot water?

5) Do you have running water?

The answers may be interesting...

THIS.

In HS, the #1 hygiene issue I have found is dirty clothing. And if it is related an issue being able to shower and/or wash clothes, that I can help with. I also have deodorant. And yes to smelly old shoes - I've found that one isn't always specific to boys.

But I will also say that not having access to water and/or laundry facilities can also be a very delicate subject. I've been the laundry fairy - given students laundry detergent and even money to go to the laundromat (my school luckily has a fund to support things like this). Next year, however, they are supposed to put in a washer/dryer and shower in the area next to my office and I am way more excited about this than I probably should be :).

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Specializes in School nursing.
2 minutes ago, Flare said:

i don't have a problem discussing the subject of hygiene with a student, but my issue with a teacher farming it out to me is A - generally, it is for a child that I never see and the child is told "the nurse wants to see you" with no subtext and has no reason why comes in confused and what was already an uncomfortable encounter becomes even more awkward because now they KNOW that Mrs. So and So put me up to this. and B - this is a conversation that should take place in private. I don't get the luxury of an empty office very often. The parade of malingerers happens all day long. It would be even more awkward if the child in question came into my office and I immediately locked my door and dropped my privacy curtain.

THIS as well.

I only do this IF I have a relationship with the student. These conversations only go well if it is in private and started by a person the child trusts.

When it is a student we find no one has a "real" relationship with, I have tried to build one in some way (if I in position/have a way to) - which isn't a fast or easy process itself.

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Specializes in kids.
4 minutes ago, JenTheSchoolRN said:

THIS as well.

I only do this IF I have a relationship with the student. These conversations only go well if it is in private and started by a person the child trusts.

When it is a student we find no one has a "real" relationship with, I have tried to build one in some way (if I in position/have a way to) - which isn't a fast or easy process itself.

Yup but if necessary I will have the conversation, it sometimes opens a great door of communication.

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Specializes in kids.
1 hour ago, ruby_jane said:

You are among the kindest and most compassionate of us all! What a great plan. I always hated it when this happened to me especially because we had male teachers wanting me to discuss hygiene with their female students (and I get why that happens but still....)

You are too kind. They are not easy conversations but if the end results in a positive outcome, it's all good!

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
52 minutes ago, JenTheSchoolRN said:

Next year, however, they are supposed to put in a washer/dryer and shower in the area next to my office and I am way more excited about this than I probably should be :).

I just teared up when I read this. YAY JEN!! I am way excited, too.

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