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...
I found somthing that might help...I didn't read the whole thread so forgive me if someone else already posted this.
The Fish Odour Syndrome
Some people (about 7% of people complaining of body odor) do not completely digest particular foods because of in-born enzyme deficiencies, or due to acquired digestive problems, and this leads to a body odor in which a strong 'fishy' smell is noted -especially around period time (or when the contraceptive pill is being used). The substance which causes this smell is called trimethylamine.
From what I've been reading, I think Plain Jane has hit the nail on the head and this very well may be this woman's problem if the smell is truly that bad.
I would make a copy of these articles and go to her and talk about this issue in a very kind way. It scares me when I read about this being so bad that it may cause suicide. I'd think of the worse case scenerio and assume that this bothers her very deeply and offer her any help I could. I know it looks like she already knows about her problem, but I just don't see her knowing it is that bad. Personally, if I had that problem, I'd be on the net and in every medical book I could find looking for a cure or a solution. Maybe she really doesn't think it's so bad. In any case, I'd talk to her as soon as possible. Good Luck.
It's a lot kinder and professional to approach her on a personal and one-on-one level than to talk behind her or send her nasty emails, which is juvenile, passive-aggressive and totally mean.
Glad i'm not the only one that thought the site an email thing was mean.
I have read all 10 pages of this thread and my main concern is if this lady is older and a little chunky you might think about bladder control issues and how that might be affecting her. Sometimes they have a really strong ammonia type smell from that... One way to stop it before the surgery is eat and clean the area a lot. Also if you have a few pairs of extra underwear will help. It is really embarrassing but if you talk to her tactful it might help. I have had that problem and it made my whooo whoooo very smelly and it is hard to keep in front of. But be nice when you talk to her but it will help to be honest and let her know. It can be a little embarrassing but someone needs to tell her.....
I am sorry to hear about your co-worker. I feel bad for her and you guys too for having to put up with it. I know I have had pt's w/ BV and poor hygiene who I can hardly stand to be around. I guess hygiene is not her problem. We had a lady recently w/ mental health issues whose child was taken from her by Children and Youth Services who just gagged me. She smelled like unwashed crotch, greasy food, and (the one that gets me the most) extreme rotten foot odor. It was awful. She came in frequently for NST's and multiple labour checks. One day I had to ride in the elevator w/ her and her S.O. and I thought I'd lose it. I hope this lady gets some help soon. Do pt's c/o re. this. If they did, then she'd be talked to about it, but probably not in a kind way. If you talk to her in a nice way, then at least you have a shot at not offending her. I think if you go leaving anonymous literature, she will think everyone is talking/laughing behind her back. Maybe leave her a note, but not an anonymous one that you are really concerned about her. I guess you would have to be careful, she did not take it to admin.
I know the smell of which you speak. And I honestly believe that it is her lady parts. She probably had Bacterial Vaginosis. How do I know? Because I use to have the same problem. It makes you have a fishy odor to your lady parts and it takes over your whole body. And like you said, at the beginning of the shift, your fine. But by the end of the day, when the secretions increase with activity, it really gets bad. And trust me, she knows it because you can't help but to know how bad it smells. That's why she goes into the bathroom with that stuff because she probably wants to mask the odor. But, if i was you, I wouldn't tell her unless you are really close to her. If you are, then you can get away with it and then maybe refer her to a gynecologist to help clear that stuff up. It's humiliating because the person smells themselves and they hope nobody else smells it.
VeryPlainJane
237 Posts
I found somthing that might help...I didn't read the whole thread so forgive me if someone else already posted this.
The Fish Odour Syndrome
http://www.ghchealth.com/body-odor.html