should you tell your classmate/co-worker about body odor

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Should you tell your co-worker/classmate about their body odor? I have a coworker/classmate who has a bad body odor. I really like her. We have gone to the instructors about her. The funny thing is, she can laugh and tell us that a pt need's a breath mint or they smell funky but, she can't seem to smell her ownself. Help, I need some advice

Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.
She doesn't smell musty, it's her behind that stinks. Sometimes I feel bad for her, but when I hear her talking about how the patient's smell, Then she needs to get a whiff of her own behind.

Oh my, if that's the case I would leave it to the instructor. Sensitive subject. Maybe the instructor could approach it from the perspective of a patient mentioning it???? If she's a friend, just be there to support her and maybe a very suttle hint here and there. :eek:

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if it is fecal odor to which you refer......is it possible that she has a colostomy?

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Specializes in heart failure and prison.

No colostomy. I don't usually smell her in the morining, but by mid morning she has a problem going on.

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No! Absolutely not, how embarrassing! I think the instructor needs to make the decision on whether or not her odor is too foul. If she thinks it is, she can make the necessary actions. It's easier coming from an authority figure than from your peers.

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Specializes in no specialty! (have to graduate first!).

I think that I would have to agree that I would want someone to tell my if I smelled bad. Would I be embarassed? Yes, of course. But if you pulled me aside and spoke to me in a non-judgemental way away from others, I would appreciate it. I would rather have an embarassing, awkward moment with one person than to have my classmates make fun of me behind my back for 2 years.

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I would rather have an embarassing, awkward moment with one person than to have my classmates make fun of me behind my back for 2 years.

waaaaaay behind...

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Specializes in None.

Some classmates and I have this problem with someone international students in our class. We want to talk to them about their body odor. But then my classmate reminded me it could be a culture thing, and therefore a VERY sensitive subject!!!! AHHHH!! Maybe once fall sets in the heat wont set off the sweat glands as much....

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Well, if she's working hard...it happens. Usually by hr 8 of a 12 hr shift, I start smelling my own pits real bad....so I'm going....geez, I stink. I'll go in the BR and throw some extra degree on...

I would want someone to tell me....better to know so I can work on it, versus having everyone know me as "stinky mcgee."

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We had this problem in one of my biology classes a couple of years ago. You could smell this lady just appoaching the door. She literally had the whole class smelling like strong onions. We eventually went to the instructor and he talked to her about it and that was the end of that.

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