Strange experiences on the floor...have you had any?

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Specializes in M/S/Ortho/Bari/ED.

I'm not sure if this is just nerves, or if there is some other explanation, but EVERY time I walk into any patient's room, my nose starts to run profusely. This has been happening to me since day one of NS and is still happening now that I am at my first job. This happens every single time without exception. I used to think it might have been the humidified O2, but not all of our patients are on O2.

I carry a big pack of tissues with me (I am using a whole pack of tissues per shift), but it is still very embarrassing to be bent over a patient and have to stop to leave the room and blow my nose or risk dripping on them! I do not have the problem when I am in the hallway or at the nursing station. As soon as I leave the rooms, the runny nose stops! I don't have any allergy that only produces a runny nose and no other symptoms (that I know of).

I hope I don't sound like a freak! :uhoh21: Has anyone had this experience or can suggest anything? My next thought is to take benadryl before my shift, but that's going to be painful!

Has anyone else had any strange experiences on the floor?

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Specializes in IMC, ICU, Telemetry.

OMG!! ME TOO!!

I have never had a drippy nose - ever. Then I started nursing. Mine starts as soon as I hit the floor, though, not just in pt rooms. I never gave it much thought until I read your post, but maybe it *is* nerves. I thought maybe it was just the hospital smell or something. For me, it usually resolves a few hours into my shift. And I'm never really all that congested - just that annoying nasal drip. It seems taking a claritin before I go to work seems to help a little, but I still keep tissues handy in my pocket.

How STRANGE!!!!

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

My nose used to run at my previous facility, too! It would go away mid-shift, as well.

In my current facility, I get a rash on my left arm after I work. It will go away while I'm off, and then come right back almost as soon as I hit the door.

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Specializes in Palliative Care, NICU/NNP.

"EVERY time I walk into any patient's room, my nose starts to run profusely."

Have you ever investigated what cleaning fluids they use in the rooms? Or, looked at the cold air returns to see if they're clogged with dust? Mine did that for a while in the fall when I came on the floor and I think it was due to some pollens outside the building.

Maybe an Rx for Nasocort AQ nasal spray would help. Hope it goes away as I know what it's like to be bent over a pt and have a drip fall on them!!

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Specializes in ICU.

Sounds like a stress related reaction.

See:

http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/Surgery/otolaryngology/nasal/types.htm

re: Rhinitis (runny nose)...

A very common cause of a runny nose is a condition called vasomotor rhinitis. In this condition, the nose responds to stress with a tremendous production of nasal secretions. Stress can cause many different physical complaints. Migraine headaches are caused by stress as are many cases of hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, diarrhea, constipation, and the list goes on and on. The nose can also be affected by stress. This often presents as sinus headaches and/or as a runny nose and the condition is called vasomotor rhinitis.

If tests show there is no physical explanation for the runny nose at work, you might check with your family physician to see if any meds such as Paxil (or whatever) might help mitigate this stress reaction.

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Specializes in M/S/Ortho/Bari/ED.

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

I did not know that rhinitis can be triggered by stress, and now that I think about it, it makes total sense considering that I am still precepting and am a complete nervous wreck at work! I can't even draw up a med without my hands shaking horribly (no caffeine)... PTSD from Catholic Nursing School, I guess! :imbar

I did dig out my Rhinocort AQ this morning (I don't use it because I find it to be overly drying and not usually helpful) and my symptoms on the floor were much better today!

Thanks again for the input! I kind of feel silly, now. :chair: But everybody has to learn somehow I guess...

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Rehabiliation Nursing.

Soo very good to hear that someone else has been having the same problem! I am relieved and will try the Nasacort for sure. I have had this experience quite a few times, and even worse, the first time I had to tape my report, (I was quite unprepared and my preceptor just pushed the tape machine at me and said "go ahead, I know you can do it", I got total stage fright, my nose started running, and I needed to cough soo bad! I now feel less like a freak, I dont think I would have even dared to mention it.

Thanks everyone!:rolleyes:

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I've never had the drippy-nose thing at work.

However..........I have noted that whenever I catheterize a patient, I always feel I have to pee first! :smokin:

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I get the drippy nose thing EVERY time I go to do a dressing change. I tried to predict the onset so I could be ready, tissues in hand and hand sanitizer close by, but couldn't pin it down. It usually starts after I've gloved and started taking down the old dressing. It's embarrassing if the patient's awake and alert, or if the family is in the room, to have to strip off my gloves, blow my nose, wash up again and get back to the job, but I have no choice... it'll drip if I don't!:eek: If I know the dressing is complicated or well-adhered to the wound, then I'll mask first and carry on.

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LOL. My nose starts running everytime I go to work also. Wonder why that is. Same thing happened with my clinical rotation, which was not good b/c it was presumed that I had a cold. I think someone should do a study on that.

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No runny nose, but you can bet I'm going to be sneezing four or five times a shift. No cold, no itchy nose, and no sneezing OUT of the hospital. I just assume there's a dust problem in the med room or something.

Either that, or I'm officially allergic to patients! LOL...

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Specializes in Orthopedics/Med-Surg, LDRP.

LOL about being allergic to pts (how are you btw?)!

I also used to get the runny nose thing, but I've been on rhinocort for seasonal allergies and since I started it back in March, I've noticed that the amount of sneezing/drippyness that I've got has drastically lessend. Plus I take Zyrtec daily too.

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