Smelly Co-Worker

Nurses General Nursing

Published

What would you all do about a co-worker with an odor problem?

This gal LOOKS clean but she smells BAD. The beginning of the shift is fine, the middle of the shift and things get bad. I see her sneak off to the bathroom with BO Juice in hand but she still smells bad.

It isn't always body odor. Sometimes it is but it is something different. I feel weird about explaining exactly what it is, but it is usually a very strong, different odor. Please understand, this is not once every now and again, this is daily. It's a rare day that there is no odor.

To my knowledge we have never had a patient complaint, but I don't know why. She is a sweet nurse, very good at what she does, very skilled at her profession, but she stinks!

I really don't think it is a lack of showering, she comes to work and smells fine. Within a few hours it is bad.

Suggestions on how to tell her? I don't want to hurt her feelings but geez...

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
Actually, some of this information is outdated. New data has come to light since this info was commonly accepted.

I was mostly using that site as a quick, credible reference for the complications. We learned all the info you gave in school about overgrowth of normal flora being just as harmful as bad bacteria, and causing serious complications.

If it was not for the long-term problems this nurse may suffer, I would agree to becoming closer first. But the bacteria can cause scar tissue, lead to PID, and increase the risk of catching an STD.

I guess certain posters just don't understand that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
if you know someone who is suffering acutely and you also know they are not likely to find hope and help anywhere else, i'm thinking that combination trumps conventional etiquette. it would be sort of like saying, "i hope you will forgive my intrusion, but i did notice that you're barely treading water, and i wonder if you might be able to make use of this rope."

thank you. yes, this is it. thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Is the word you're looking for Acidophilus? I know it's found in yogurt and have also given it PO to some of my gero residents.

Still in your corner and cheering you on...go Bipley!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Is the word you're looking for Acidophilus? I know it's found in yogurt and have also given it PO to some of my gero residents.

Still in your corner and cheering you on...go Bipley!!!

YEAH!!!! THAT'S IT!

Did I mention I can't spell worth a darn? :specs:

I don't recall, but I think there are about 80 different strains of Acidophilus and one of these can cause a form of BV. It is more common than most realize and the treatment isn't more abxs, which most docs write for. That makes the problem worse. Traditional BV tx's make the problem worse with each attempt.

Thanks for understanding where I am coming from. It is seriously, greatly appreciated!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

:offtopic: Hey Bipley, you need to empty your private message box:clown:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, Bipley.

I tried to PM this, but your mailbox is full.

Your co-worker is very fortunate to have someone brave enough to get involved. I do believe most people would just keep their distance and say, "She's not my problem."

I hope you have seen the references to triethylaminuria that several of us have posted. The article I found emphasized how hard it is for people with this condition to get help. This poor woman may have been to many doctors, but if this is what she has, they obviously haven't diagnosed or treated her properly.

I ask this because the description of the condition sounded so much like what you were telling us about. The fact that she starts out okay and then deteriorates as the shift progresses. The distinct "rotten fish" odor. The absence of any evidence of poor hygiene. And the way she keeps to herself because she KNOWS there is a problem. All of these line up with trimethylaminuria and make it a more likely candidate for the culprit than a garden variety BV (although that's still certainly a possibility).

If I were in her shoes, I would be so grateful that someone cared enough to seek me out when I felt my least attractive. And if she actually had information that might give me a shot at having a more normal life, well, that would make me ecstatic.

Thank you for being a good example for the rest of us.

Miranda

Up Vote Up Vote ×
:offtopic: Hey Bipley, you need to empty your private message box:clown:

Oh geez, I'm sorry. I just deleted everything. It's absolutely empty right now!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi, Bipley.

I tried to PM this, but your mailbox is full.

Your co-worker is very fortunate to have someone brave enough to get involved. I do believe most people would just keep their distance and say, "She's not my problem."

I hope you have seen the references to triethylaminuria that several of us have posted. The article I found emphasized how hard it is for people with this condition to get help. This poor woman may have been to many doctors, but if this is what she has, they obviously haven't diagnosed or treated her properly.

I ask this because the description of the condition sounded so much like what you were telling us about. The fact that she starts out okay and then deteriorates as the shift progresses. The distinct "rotten fish" odor. The absence of any evidence of poor hygiene. And the way she keeps to herself because she KNOWS there is a problem. All of these line up with trimethylaminuria and make it a more likely candidate for the culprit than a garden variety BV (although that's still certainly a possibility).

If I were in her shoes, I would be so grateful that someone cared enough to seek me out when I felt my least attractive. And if she actually had information that might give me a shot at having a more normal life, well, that would make me ecstatic.

Thank you for being a good example for the rest of us.

Miranda

Thank you, Miranda. Thank you so much.

I have printed out several articles that were posted about this dx. I will discuss all this with her.

How do you tell someone WHAT they smell like? You know, I find that I keep burying my head in my hands thinking I don't know how to do this. I do know, but I'm afraid of her fears. I'm afraid I'm not going to do this well. Please don't misunderstand, I am going to do it I just hope I do it right. Just how do you tell someone WHAT they smell like? Let's face it, it will be necessary before I can give her the articles I have printed from here.

I think the bottom line is that I will feel so much better when this is all done and over. To be very honest, I really honestly think that I couldn't feel worse about discussing this with her than she will hearing about it. If I thought she'd believe me, I'd tell her that. I'm not going to be the professional type person, I'm just plain going to be the person that gives a rat's behind about her. She accepts the truth or she doesn't. Either way she'll get the info and then it is hers to decide how to deal with this. That is what I realized (last night) that this comes down to.

I actually couldn't sleep last night as I was rehearsing my thoughts on the topic. How I would approach her. How I would present the info and my old research. I was thinking about how to do this in the least painful way possible.

AAArrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhh, I just want this to be over with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

when describing the odor, I would be a little more vague than your description here:roll Just explain it as the very distinctive smell of BV...not really anything that you could compare it to, but somehow you just 'know'...leave the rotting fish smell out and let her get that info from the pamplet. Since she is away and this will be embarassing for her anyway, she probably won't ask you to describe the smell...adding salt to the wound so to speak.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you, Miranda. Thank you so much.

I have printed out several articles that were posted about this dx. I will discuss all this with her.

How do you tell someone WHAT they smell like? You know, I find that I keep burying my head in my hands thinking I don't know how to do this. I do know, but I'm afraid of her fears. I'm afraid I'm not going to do this well. Please don't misunderstand, I am going to do it I just hope I do it right. Just how do you tell someone WHAT they smell like? Let's face it, it will be necessary before I can give her the articles I have printed from here.

I think the bottom line is that I will feel so much better when this is all done and over. To be very honest, I really honestly think that I couldn't feel worse about discussing this with her than she will hearing about it. If I thought she'd believe me, I'd tell her that. I'm not going to be the professional type person, I'm just plain going to be the person that gives a rat's behind about her. She accepts the truth or she doesn't. Either way she'll get the info and then it is hers to decide how to deal with this. That is what I realized (last night) that this comes down to.

I actually couldn't sleep last night as I was rehearsing my thoughts on the topic. How I would approach her. How I would present the info and my old research. I was thinking about how to do this in the least painful way possible.

AAArrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhh, I just want this to be over with.

You can call it a distinctive odor without adding the "rotten fish" part. Then you can give her articles on several different possibilities and let her draw her own conclusions.

I'd make a special effort, though, to forge that human connection, so she knows you aren't just dumping information on her to make your life easier.

She might be too embarrassed to look you in the eye at first, but as soon as she does, she should be able to see that you're the real deal and she doesn't have to hang her head around you. I've always thought it was interesting that in the Bible, the first thing angels always said to humans was, "Fear not." Our natural inclination is to be afraid. But once she settles down, I'm betting she'll be relieved and intrigued.

I'll be praying for you both tomorrow.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.
I'm not going to be the professional type person, I'm just plain going to be the person that gives a rat's behind about her.

And I think that's what is going to make the difference for her; make sure she gets that you care, and hopefully after that has been established you two can do the nursie thing and put your heads together. :specs:

Interesting info, Writer, re the acetyl-uria whatsis; thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
when describing the odor, I would be a little more vague than your description here:roll Just explain it as the very distinctive smell of BV...not really anything that you could compare it to, but somehow you just 'know'...leave the rotting fish smell out and let her get that info from the pamplet. Since she is away and this will be embarassing for her anyway, she probably won't ask you to describe the smell...adding salt to the wound so to speak.

Oh my goodness, you are quite correct. I had not yet considered the obvious.

I swear, I 'm a good nurse! Honest to zog I am!! I am just so displaced regarding this situation that I am at a loss and sadly, I need to be told the obvious.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment