Just like Pig-Pen from Charlie Brown

[KarmaComesAround]

That is how I felt the other day.

We had a "client" on our floor that was morbidly obese. We cleaned them, but no matter what, the smell lingered. When we moved them, it stirred it up. The hallway...well, entire floor was smelling. Ok, so I am going into other clients' rooms, and they are wanting to know what that smell is. It was literally stuck to us...like a cloud around us. How do you get rid of that no matter how often you wash hands, use spray, clean the client, etc...? It would be worse too because the client could not get up to use the restroom, barely turn for bedpan, and incontinent as times, so that would get stirred up as well. We even wore PPE as well....gown and gloves...they were on precautions, so it was not just for the smell. I felt the other clients on the floor were upset dealing with the smell, but the client producing it (along with it stuck on us) could not help it.

Anybody else ever had a smell just stuck on them? We were asked from other people on the floor (other clients, visitors, transporters) "What is that smell?"...We had turned the client as much as possible, moved them around a good bit for a good bath, changed sheets, cleaned them up after incontinence, etc..., so it was on us good, and it was lingering around the room and hall.

[headinsandRN]

if this is not due to any output from this patient i would have to see every inch of their skin for the process of elimination.

[KarmaComesAround]

if this is not due to any output from this patient i would have to see every inch of their skin for the process of elimination.

Client had full assessment...every inch of their skin, with pics taken of the folds under skin due to raw areas with yeast infection. Nystatin powder was ordered and being used. When admitted, they obviously were unable to care for self at home.

[merlee]

You were smelling the yeast infection. Aside from just powdering the area, it is essential that you place some type of dressing in the folds to keep the skin from touching. If the areas are very big, you may need to use pillowcases tucked into the skin folds. Smaller areas may take washcloths. Trust me, I know...!

[KarmaComesAround]

You were smelling the yeast infection. Aside from just powdering the area, it is essential that you place some type of dressing in the folds to keep the skin from touching. If the areas are very big, you may need to use pillowcases tucked into the skin folds. Smaller areas may take washcloths. Trust me, I know...!

Exactly what I did...pillowcases in the folds.

[kool-aide, RN]

I take pt's like this as a personal challenge. Yeast infections in skin folds of obese pts are the WORST! They really do stink up the whole unit!

I love getting these people clean. LOVE IT! They feel much better, and the unit (usually) benefits. lol

My trick is to scrub them down, obviously, and wash their hair well. Most people don't wash their hair in the hospital....

and then I apply a liberal amount of powder. I mean, they look like Casper the freakin' ghost when I'm finished with them! :w00t:

Kool-aide.

:mnnnrsngrk:

[misschiatia]

All I can say is, GOD BLESS YOU! for the wonderful nurse you are.....but I don't know how to get rid of the smell

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

Really dredging up from memory here-it's been a LOOOOONG time since I worked on wards, and even LOOOONGER since I worked in LTC

Firstly, assess how the yeast infection is responding to treatment. If the underlying infection has cleared up, it might be better to use a medicated barrier cream, such as that used to treat very bad nappy rash. We used to find that very obese patients developed worse chafing, especially under the breasts, when powder was used. Zinc Oxide cream (old-fashioned but it still works!) went a long way towards clearing up the badly chafed areas.

Koolaid mentioned washing the hair; have you checked this patient for seborrhoea? Hair is notorious for causing some very nasty smells, and a medicated shampoo is the best solution.

To eliminate the smell from the area, I find the only thing that really helps is a good antibacterial/antiviral air deodoriser; I can't remember the name but there was an excellent one that was developed specifically for use in clinical settings. Ask your hospital buyer, if you have one, or possibly housekeeping. There should be several on the market.

[SnowboardLovinRN]

Coffee grounds! We place them in patients rooms (in cups) that smell from output problems and it helps. Its worth a try. Good luck!

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

Anybody else ever had a smell just stuck on them?

Not having anything to do with yeast infections, but one day of the aides on my floor kept walking around saying, "What the heck? I keep smelling poop." She couldn't get the smell out of her nose. Then she happened to look down. There was a piece of poop stuck to the toe on the top of her shoe...ewww! It was pretty funny though.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

A friend of mine taught me this trick: after you administer care to this pt, wash up and then go into the bathroom with a can of "Linen and Sky" Febreeze. Spray your clothes and your hair. The scent is not overpowering and actually gives your hair some texture! I know that many people will say that it is too close to wearing perfume, but the scent dissipates, and you just smell like clean laundry. It worked for me when I had to do care for a pt with cervical ca...very very smelly.

[HappyBunnyNurse]

Doesn't help at work but I have found that bathing with baking soda helps get rid of any smell when I get home. You can put it in your bath water and even wash your hair with it. You can also add it to the wash for your scrubs.