Odor Query

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Well, here goes. Every morning, I notice that I, uh, stink. :eek: Between 0400 and 0600. It's not that I'm especially hot or working hard or sweating. I just notice an odor about myself. Nobody has ever said anything. And it seems to be gone on its own within an hour or so.

My guess is that this is the time that our bodies are maximally preparing for the new day. I know there's a diurnal upswing in hormones about that time, right? And I attribute it to that. That's also when i notice that every coworker and I are needing to do our business in the restroom. Our bodies seem to be cleansing and gearing up for the day, even though we are night workers, most of us for many years.

What the heck? OK, well, that was embarrassing, but I woud appreciate your input. It's odd, but I don't notice other people being smelly, just myself. I wonder if they notice me or themselves or not at all. Too embarrassed to ask. Not asking for med advice, just for your experience with either yourself or coworkers. :uhoh3: Oh, and what do you do about it? Jump in the shower? :lol2: No, of course you can't while working.

Is it sweat or just something seeping through your skin.

I'll tell you my little embarrassing thing. When I have nasal congestion, I take Mucinex D. Seems to be the only stinkin thing that clears me out. I only take it when my congestion is giving me a pretty intense headache. Anyways, if I take this for too many days in a row, I will begin to "smell" like this pill. :barf01:Anyone who has ever taken Mucinex knows that that pill is the stinkiest, nastiest little thing. It was like the odor was just seeping through my skin.

I found that doggy shampoo wipes work good. Yes, it's crazy. But they are better than baby wipes, they actually clean, and leave you with no residue yet smelling fresh.

Specializes in Med Surge, Tele, Oncology, Wound Care.

I took fenugreek and it made me smell like maple syrup..so I agree with the prior answer that it might be something you are eating?

I can tell when someone eats garlic, as it seems to seep from their skin- I am not a garlic fan personally so I think this is why I am sensitive to it.

Specializes in LPN.

There are times I smell weird too, and find out I brushed up against a particually stinky sweaty sleepying pt. Look at who you come in contact with, especially if it always happen at the same time of day. It might be just a smell that got onto your clothes. These would explain why it dissapates. You might have worn gloves and washed your hands, but it could be on your uniform. check it out.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
LOL....there is a point when you ask yourself "Did I really just drink that much coffee"

The answer is YES!!!!!!! When I worked nights (the last 16 years) I was newky married with a new baby the second year and a second baby the third year working full time 1100 miles away from and family and friends. I worked straight nights (36 hours) did not have a baby sitter, nanny, aupair, nor a housekeeper. Did all the cooking, cleaning and shopping.......I stayed up with my children (before anyone says anything.....it was MY choice to not have any day care and I wouldn't change a thing) all day and worked at night. I was a stay at home Mom who also worked outside the home. The best of both worlds. My hubby worked and would come home as I was leaving.............Yes!!!!!!!!!!!! I really did drink that much coffee.....can I have a refill???? :)

Is it your nighttime coffee coming through your skin? I'd notice that when I worked nights.

Good point. Many times food smells can come out in perspiration hours after being consumed. For example, garlic.

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