Smelly Kid

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I have a 3rd grade little girl that smells like urine. I have given a change of clothes twice this week and had her wipe down in the bathroom. She lives with her father and he doesn't seem to be very hygienic either. This child smells so bad that it is affecting the class room learning environment. I've talked to her about what is causing this to happen and she says that she wets the bed almost every night and they don't have a way to wash clothes. I have to talk to this dad but i'm not sure of how to say it. Anyone had to address this with a parent before? Apparently the father leaves for work daily before the child gets up and dressed for school and her older brother sends her to school with dirty and smelly clothes.

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Specializes in NCSN.

Do you have a school counselor or a social worker? I would get them involved with this too because it sounds a lot the family needs more resources than they have available to them.

Does the little girl have any special needs on board? 3rd grade is more than old enough to understand when and how to use the bathroom, and she shouldn't be wetting the bed at night. Is it possible she has a UTI which is causing the more frequent accidents?

I would tell Dad that LO has been having more frequent accidents that is causing her to miss class time and you will need him to send in an outfit she could change into if this happens again. Let him know that the LO mentioned having trouble at home with wetting the bed and see if you can get more info about that (has this ALWAYS been happening or is it new). If you don't have the support of a social worker, I would do some research on if there are any local agencies that could help with the clothing situation and just mention that the LO said she doesn't have any clean clothes and these organizations can always help if you need them too. We have a church in our district that washes clothes for families and provides weather appropriate clothing

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Tough situation. Last year I had a child who had a strong, urine scent- and come to find out- her cats were peeing on her jeans in her jeans drawer. Don't know how the parents did not catch this. Mine was an easy fix, but I hope you are able to help her.

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Specializes in School health, pediatrics.

I don't have much to offer, but this story breaks my heart. That has to be so hard for the LO.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

My least favorite thing.

Is this a neglect issue? Or worse, an abuse issue? My nurse intuition is going bonkers....Loss of continence after toilet training is one of the hallmarks...how old is the brother? What (if anything) can be done to put the responsibility for assuring the student is clean and ready to go back onto the parent?

I'm so sorry. Good luck. Let us know what happens.

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My least favorite thing.

Is this a neglect issue? Or worse, an abuse issue? My nurse intuition is going bonkers....Loss of continence after toilet training is one of the hallmarks...how old is the brother? What (if anything) can be done to put the responsibility for assuring the student is clean and ready to go back onto the parent?

I'm so sorry. Good luck. Let us know what happens.

This is important. Thank you for pointing it out.

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Specializes in School nursing.
My least favorite thing.

Is this a neglect issue? Or worse, an abuse issue? My nurse intuition is going bonkers....Loss of continence after toilet training is one of the hallmarks....

Yes and yes and yes. Especially if it is this frequent. I'm with those asking if you have a counselor/social worker at your school.

Poor kid. Not to mention that the smell may also not make a favorite among her peers.

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What about r/o diabetes?

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Specializes in ER.

Here's a good article on bedwetting. Obviously Dad is the first to speak with. It sounds like he's got his hands full, works hard, and mom is out of the picture.

As people mentioned, there are several possible causes. I don't see why it would be difficult to talk to dad like the adult he is, and solve this problem. He may not be super educated and tidy, but that's where you come in. You should definitely suggest pull ups for the girl to help her. She's probably gone nose blind to the smell, so she needs guidance. She needs to be coached to perform meticulous morning hygiene. Pads for her bed will be useful too!

My brother was a bed wetter until 12, it can cause a lot of angst for parents, my Dad used to sometimes spank him after an incident, which emotionally damaging I'm sure.

Child Bedwetting- Causes of Primary and Secondary Bedwetting

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

oh, poor little one! I am praying that it is something as simple as a UTI. I don't even wan't to think about it being a case of abuse, but Ruby_Jane is right - it is a hallmark, my mind was on that before i finished reading the OP's post.

I agree - speaking to the dad frankly and factually. Not accusatory but with concerns that it could be the uti or necessary to rule out DM. Give the parent a chance to address it. If nothing changes in a reasonable amount of time - or no proof of going to the doctor no proof of it being taken care of, then you may have to take the next step.

Does your school have a washer and dryer? Some districts are lucky enough to have one. Perhaps if she does not have access to laundry at home, you could talk to your admins about letting her do some there if you have the capabilities.

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By heart bleeds for this little peanut :(

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Poor sugar... I hate to say call DCS or get a social worker involved, but lord how does he not notice his babies/house smell of pee pee??

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