That certain odor on some patients and their visitors

Specialties Emergency

Published

I always smell this one musky, acrid, sweetish, sort of nauseating type smell on a lot of people. They are always the questionable types. I was wondering if that's meth I smell, pot, or something else. I'm sure a lot of you ER nurses know what I'm talking about.

I've never smelled it on on anyone in my real life until recently, a fellow I've hired to do some carpentry work. I think it's probably a drug smell.

Do you all know what that smell is? I don't remember smelling it from back in my youth (many, many moons ago), so I don't think it's pot, but I'm not sure. If you smoke meth, does it make a smell? What about spice?

Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

Oh yes. I know that smell. I've always smelled it on drug users. Heroin is popular where I live, not so much meth. It's sweat mixed with the toxins seeping out through the skin. Also has a lot to do with hygiene. Days without bathing is not uncommon in this population. It's a distinct smell. Very different from ETOH abuse.

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Lol I'm still laughing at white trashy-tattoo looking. While it's judgmental, nobody can deny it's spot on. Is everyone with that appearance hawking their grandmothers stove for a hit of meth? No but it's still spot on.

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This is horrible! Have you considered making judgements of people by their personality and character instead of their looks? I'm a freaking atheist and I still completely agree with Jesus on this: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

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Specializes in ER.
This is horrible! Have you considered making judgements of people by their personality and character instead of their looks? I'm a freaking atheist and I still completely agree with Jesus on this: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Then why are you casting stones at me?

I was merely trying to figure out the source of that weird smell, incidentally. Yes, it emanates from a certain ' type', sorry if my description came across wrong to some.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Let me just say the 72yo male pt I had yesterday, who test + for meth had no tattoos, nor did he appear "white trashy" or smell bad. He did have an attitude that clued us in that he might be having withdrawal from street drug use, we choose to test him (after he denied any such use), and he was positive for meth and cocaine.

I think while it's easy to generalize, and we do so when we see a trend, it doesn't mean that it is a rule we can go by. Not all meth users are going to be white trashy, have tattoos, or have a certain odor. Nor are all white trashy people going to be meth users. However, many of us have seen a strong correlation between meth users and certain appearance attributes, probably because it's not as easy to be a upstanding member of society and frequently smoke meth, Ron Ford aside! lol

One of the things we have to do as nurses (and providers) is use the clues that we have and our observational skills to help us to identify what is going on. There are plenty of times when I have a suspicion that someone is affected by street drugs based on factors like appearance, hygiene, smell, attitude towards staff and others. Do I make a medical decision on these alone? No, but I do investigate that potential dx and it comes back positive more often than not.

Now back to discussing pixie's tattoos! lol

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Not trying to pick on anyone...can we just use a different term other than "white trash" I am white and I think it can be slightly offensive. How about just "trashy" without throwing race in there. It could be all sorts of colors that use drugs not just one certain subtype.

I can't say I have ever smelled that sickly sweet smell. I bet it's pretty offensive when it is smelled though?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Not trying to pick on anyone...can we just use a different term other than "white trash" I am white and I think it can be slightly offensive. How about just "trashy" without throwing race in there. It could be all sorts of colors that use drugs not just one certain subtype.

I can't say I have ever smelled that sickly sweet smell. I bet it's pretty offensive when it is smelled though?

How about...low income?

Think about it; most people can't afford the smell goods and Febreezes...

The smell may be old paint...depending on the area, it could be old lead paint, combined with an couple of things.

I find the smell to be on people and families in transitional housing, sometimes on clothing, bags, etc...

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How about...low income?

Think about it; most people can't afford the smell goods and Febreezes...

The smell may be old paint...depending on the area, it could be old lead paint, combined with an couple of things.

I find the smell to be on people and families in transitional housing, sometimes on clothing, bags, etc...

YES!! Low income. Thank-you! Yes, it could most definitely be paint, moth balls, mold or a number of things mixed together.

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There's also a certain odor people have who don't bathe. I call it buttcrack odor because they haven't been able to wash their buttcracks so that's what smells. They try to hide it by using a lot of perfume and powder but that smell is hard to get rid of unless you bathe.

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Specializes in ER.
Not trying to pick on anyone...can we just use a different term other than "white trash" I am white and I think it can be slightly offensive. How about just "trashy" without throwing race in there. It could be all sorts of colors that use drugs not just one certain subtype.

I can't say I have ever smelled that sickly sweet smell. I bet it's pretty offensive when it is smelled though?

You are absolutely right, white trash was a poor choice of words. Sorry. It's not okay, it's really classicism, probably because, although my parents would have never used a derogatory term for those of another race, I remember my Mom using that term 'white trash'.

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You are absolutely right, white trash was a poor choice of words. Sorry. It's not okay, it's really classicism, probably because, although my parents would have never used a derogatory term for those of another race, I remember my Mom using that term 'white trash'.

Not a problem. I'm not innocent either. In the past I have used that term. I have heard the term used a lot actually. Thank-you for your sensitivity.

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Specializes in ER/Critical Care.

I prefer the term Whiskey Tango based on the phonetic alphabet :lol2: jk

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