skunk smell??

Published

Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

OK I had a patient today claim that she has horrible under arm odor that smells like a skunk... I told her I had no idea and that she needed to consult her Dr. But now I am curious... I figure there is something underlying causing this, anyone have any ideas? Its simply for my own knowledge. But the poor lady has even stopped going places for fear that she will stink everything up...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, MDS, Education.

Some meds will cause this...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

i asked her about that but she wasnt on anything really unusual...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ER.

Could you smell it? Was it really that bad---as if it is in her mind so bad she is avoiding public places out of fear, she may need a psych consult.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Maybe she had a yeast infection?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

Psych consult... that was what I was thinking. The only thing I found when I looked it up was people with certain psych disorders can imagine smells. She said it has been going on for a long time now and that she has tried everything. I charted it all so the dr will see it when she goes for her appt in a week. and no i couldnt smell anything, but she was sniffing her under arms and stated that she didnt smell right now...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ER.
Psych consult... but she was sniffing her under arms and stated that she didnt smell right now...

I have never sniffed under my own arms in front of another person!! she needs a psych consult. Dr may need it spelled out for him as he may be too busy to read between the lines of she claims she has a funny smell.

Just out of curiosity what sort of nursing do you do that you see patients one week and Drs see them the next?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.
I have never sniffed under my own arms in front of another person!! she needs a psych consult. Dr may need it spelled out for him as he may be too busy to read between the lines of she claims she has a funny smell.

Just out of curiosity what sort of nursing do you do that you see patients one week and Drs see them the next?

i work public health. we are giving flu shots right now. sometimes it happens that way because we give all the immunizations and any routine shots (testosterone, depo and such) that the docs have ordered for the patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Maybe I need a psych consult, but I have smelled that particular smell on people before, and also a cat urine odor. I wish I could remember the name of a certain IV antibiotic that smells like cat urine too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Rocephin smell like cat urine. I also smell human urine odor when reconstituting maxipime. Ick.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I really think if you couldn't smell it then maybe the pt does need a psych consult.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

there was a thread about a disorder which caused a 'dead fish smell' but it was sometime back and i don't remember what it was called

if patient couldn't smell it at that time maybe it might appear later..people with lung or kidney problems sometimes have strong smelling sweat

if yo gave the md the info the ball is in their court now

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion