Please give me advice and tricks to overcome gagging from smell

purplemania, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2003

wear a mask. keep spray toilet water in bag and spray on sleeve of your lab coat so you can catch a whiff now and then

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 6, 2003

Vicks touched to both nostrils helped me out a lot in times when smells were STRONG, like GI Bleed in ICU. Remember, never, ever show disgust in front of patients. They are PAINFULLY aware when they have a stinky ostomy, BM or emesis, whatever. They are HUMANS first, not bodily fluids. When you remember this, it's easier to deal with some smells.

Believe it or not, you get used to a lot of this stuff, the longer you are in nursing.

best wishes.

LydiaGreen · Nov 6, 2003

You will get used to most smells over time (after three years of clinicals in nursing school, very little grosses me out). There are a few smells that you will likely never get used to... it's instinct to be repelled by certain smells. There is a "death" smell especially in clients dying of CA... it can be quite strong but has never made me gag. Melena stool is probably the worst. There is also an offensive odor in the OR with any orthopedic surgeries (grinding, cutting bone). Ostomies don't bother me, but a fresh one healing from surgery is a little different.

Our clinical instructor told us to buy some carmex and keep it in our pockets for these occassions. It doesn't irritate the nares as much as vicks does, but helps to hide the odor.

Not sure if you have carmex in the States, it is a medicated lip balm here in Canada.

Oh, and breathe through your mouth!

jemb · Nov 6, 2003

Peppermint oil dabbed on the nares is also helpful.

AmyLiz · Nov 6, 2003

An instructor of mine suggested vicks or a dab of cologne on the shoulder of your uniform/lab coat so that you can take a whiff of that when you need to. Another suggested popping a small mint before dealing with it. I've heard of using peppermint oil on masks too.

Breathing through the mouth definately helps me though!

RN-PA, RN · Nov 6, 2003

Originally posted by sunnyone
I am going into the nursing program soon and have only one problem. I thought that I would be able to wear some sort of clip for my nose and then it was pointed out to me that it would offend the patients. Duh! I did not think of that. So now my dilemma is the problem of smells, the only smells that bother me are feces and gas. I gag if someone passes gas in the same room. Not just gag but run to the toilet gag. HELP I REALLY WANT TO BE AN RN.!! I was thinking of hypnosis. Has anyone heard of this working? Maybe I should have my olfactory bulb removed:eek: just kidin. Everyone says to just get over it but this only came about when I turned 25 [now 35] before then no problem with anything. as I said before HELP
THANKS,
m

I know this is a serious problem for you, but your post had me howling, especially the part about having your olfactory bulb removed-- You have a great sense of humor and that will help a LOT in your career!

To answer your question, I agree with AmyLiz that breathing through my mouth has helped me the best. In fact, I swear by it. I would think the odor of Vicks would be so noticeable to patients, they might ask you about it and you could end up explaining why you are wearing it, and it could embarrass them or make them feel bad about their odors.

I learned to breathe through my mouth early in my relationship with my husband of 20 years since we have to share the same bathroom, and like most men, he passes a lot of gas. (Women, as we all know, DON'T.)

On a more serious note, I agree with what SmilingBluEyes said:

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes
Remember, never, ever show disgust in front of patients. They are PAINFULLY aware when they have a stinky ostomy, BM or emesis, whatever. They are HUMANS first, not bodily fluids. When you remember this, it's easier to deal with some smells.

Believe it or not, you get used to a lot of this stuff, the longer you are in nursing.

best wishes.

Also, compassion and sympathy kicks in for me when I'm around something particularly disgusting-- odor, wound, vomiting, GI bleed, etc.-- and you'd be surprised what you're able to tolerate if you just try to imagine yourself or a loved one as the patient.

I add my best wishes, too!

doularoz · Nov 7, 2003

Perfume on your shoulder works and I've also heard of waving alcohol swabs in front of your nose as long as it won't embarrass the patient.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2003

Given a bit of time an more exposure your nose will desensitize. I can't read these posts without remembering the artlicle I read on how America is looking to create a stink bomb (true!! It was in Scientific American) I can just see it now - a whole city of people gagging and passing out and all the nurses standing around saying "What smell??" or "IF you think this is bad - try breathing C. Diff for half a day!!":roll

jackieliz · Nov 7, 2003

the best thing i have found is clove oil, it overcomes the most powerful odors and has a soothing smell. just dab some on the inside of a mask or on cotton balls in the room. the pharmacy of many hospitals (mine anyway) should send you some on request.

kevcam · Nov 7, 2003

Originally posted by jemb
Peppermint oil dabbed on the nares is also helpful.

It may be helpful if you want to experience blinding pain, but to eliminate smells, it may be a bit much. Carmex is a much better choice.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Nov 9, 2003

altoids!!!!!!!! as many as you can stuff in your mouth. works like a charm. especially if you have a mask on that you can exhale all that wonderful minty breath into!! they've gotten me past melena, c. diff, rotten teeth, cf sputum and barf.