smelly kid

Specialties School

Published

So if you had to call a parent to let them know their child smells and it is probably due to the fact that there are 13 animals in the home and smokers----What would you say to the parent? Thank you!

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At my school, this would be a guidance issue, not a nursing one. But, I wouldn't call without a plan to suggest. Maybe it's that you keep clothes at school and the student changes at school, maybe suggest keep the students clothes in a sealed tote at home, it's not an easy situation and one that you shouldn't have to handle alone. Surely the principal or student services or someone has dealt with something similar and can give you some advice. It sucks because you know it has to be impacting the student's friendships!

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Specializes in School Nurse.

I would also speak about how other kids could be cruel and make fun of their child. No one wants that for their baby.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Does the child come in just smelling like animals and smoke but is otherwise clean and well kept? Or is the child in need of other hygienic needs? How old is this child and does this child have regular developmental needs?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Does your school policy specifically prohibit "smelly students?" If so, what mechanism is in place to decide if an odor is considered to be offensive? Like others have mentioned, if it's a social or "bullying" issue the counselors can handle this but I don't get involved in smelly kids.

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

I try not to get involved in smelly kids either. I have had counselors try to suck me in with "what if it's medical?". Nope. All environmental reasons need to be ruled out/fixed before we even go down that pathway. Very rarely is cat pee odor, for example, related to something medical (unless you spilled rocephin all over yourself- does anyone else think rocephin smells like cat pee when you mix it?)

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I try not to get involved in smelly kids either. I have had counselors try to suck me in with "what if it's medical?". Nope. All environmental reasons need to be ruled out/fixed before we even go down that pathway. Very rarely is cat pee odor, for example, related to something medical (unless you spilled rocephin all over yourself- does anyone else think rocephin smells like cat pee when you mix it?)

Rocephin definitely smells like cat pee!

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His clothes are sometime dirty. The teacher who work in small groups with him have a hard time because he smells. They have sent him to me several times and I have clothes to change into and extra clothes to take home. He said he bathes daily and has all the necessary supplies. He in 4th grade and a very nice kid. It either call mom or CPS

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The guidance counselor and I work well together and we have been asked to deal with it. I just offered to make the call. I was hoping someone had a way I could gently tell mom.

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13 animals????? A CPS call might be needed to check out the home situation

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I've made the call in the absence of guidance and approached from the angle of not wanting student to be picked on or bullied by others. Usually works for a few days then it starts again. We have also given the student soap and washcloth, change of clothing and washed the smelly clothes and let them change into their own before going home.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

If the mother/family lives in the city I think having 13 animals in the house is against most city ordinances. I live outside city limits & don't have 13 animals in the house!

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