Wearing Cologne to work Yes Or No

Vito Andolini · Dec 8, 2008

my problem is that I am paranoid that my deodorant isn't working. I am always worried that if pp start discussing their deo (what they wear etc) they are trying to hint. But I shower RIGHT before work and I have always worn deo...I even keep spray stuff at work to use halfway through. There is a girl at work who always says she stinks but I have never smelled her (no I am not going to try either). The thing is nonscented doesn't work. I am now trying the clinical strength stuff but it seems stickier...I love powder scented deo at first but then it just stinks....who knows....I guess baby powder itself could be an option since we use that on pts...is anyone else paranoid they stink? I have never been told I am - I am just paranoid about it....

I wouldn't say paranoid, just conscious that I want to smell good, or at least not offend. Sometimes I use antibacterial ointment in place of deodorant. It kills bacteria that cause odor.

Sometimes it is necessary to switch deodorants for a while, as the little bacteria get used to it and fight it off. I tell you, they will take over the world. It's a constant battle against the little guys.

Diet, too, determines the way our perspiration smells. High protein, I think, especially animal products, causes lots of odor, more than greens, seeds, legumes, other non-animal protein. A friend who is 99.9% vegan uses only bathing and then some baking soda for deodorant.

My wife washes her lingerie in warm water. Once in a while, she will use some bleach on it (the band and underarm sections of her brassieres; I hope she's not reading this :eek: ), just to kill off any lingering yeast, bacteria, and whatnot.

NY-RN_Kay · Dec 14, 2008

I would refrain, because some patients are allergic to strong smells. It will just be better to smell like the scent of a fresh soap :wink2:

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 14, 2008

it's not about you, the health care worker. it's about the patient, and you never know which scent could give someone a migraine or an asthma attack. the fact that your co-workers are discussing it ought to be a clue: get it and leave the scent at home!

Pipsqueak, ADN · Dec 15, 2008

I get instant debillitating headaches from all perfumes/colognes/scented lotions no matter how lightly applied. Even scents I think "smell good" still gives me these horrific headaches. Like another poster said, in public, I just have to deal and avoid as best as possible. If I were hospitalized and obviously ill and you came into my room wearing cologne, I guarantee all niceties will probably fly out the window and you will be banned from coming back to my room by me. This isn't about you, it's about your patients. Think of them please.

And remember, even if a person doesn't say something to you, whether it be patient or coworker, doesn't mean they aren't quietly suffering for fear of embarrassing or angering you by saying something. I do this alot unfortanately.

Pipsqueak, ADN · Dec 15, 2008

I think we all agree that someone who smells dirty is also offensive but I think you must never have experienced the instant headache, resp difficulty, itching, or other s&s of being sensitive to even pleasant fragrances, like freshly cut grass. I used to like it but now it gives me a headache. The body changes, the liver can't detox everything so fast. Fragrance-free is most helpful to staff and patients.
Even off duty, take it easy on the fragrances.

Thank you, Thank you Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! It's rare someone understands what I go through.

OliveVinesRN · Dec 15, 2008

Hi i need an opinion, Tell me what you all think. I like to smell good when I'm at work so i wear cologne. Not a lot just a splash i always have. The good stuff Armani, Polo, CK, well you get the picture. Lately my Coworkers mostly female are looking at me different. Saying things like they know when i'm in the building and its going to be a good day or something to that fact. One Coworker asked me to pick up some Curve So as a joke i did i really dont like the sent of it. I never had this problem before. Now i know in nursing school they say not to but i do because it's just who i'am. Should i stop wearing it or just keep on doing what i'm doing and hope this thing about me wearing cologne dies down. You all tell me. TY

I do because I work in psych and most of the people I work with don't have medical problems. And when I put some on, I put on just a bit and lighter scents like splashes. I know that some of the more expensive stuff and heaview colognes do offend those who are sensitive to it. I haven't had any complaints against the body mists and cheaper colognes.

Moneypitt · Dec 15, 2008

A small amount of cologne or perfume is fine. I can't tell you how many times there is the stench and reek of stool in the air from patients. Unfortunately the people who create these stenches are usually the first to complain when a co-worker has a splash of DKNY on.

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Dec 15, 2008

I wear JR Watkins body oil spray. Its a moisturizer spray (my skin is very dry). `It has a light "clean" scent that is not overwhelming at all. It actually smells like fabric softener. Ive had many patients comment on how good it smells. One kept asking what kind it is so that he could buy it for his wife. If you consider scent offensive, then what about fabric softener scent on clothing. Although I do see the point with asthmatic patients. Our RT wears a cologne that is so strong, it almosts knocks you over as he walks by.

anangelsmommy, ADN, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2008

From a patient and family perspective.....We had home nursing for 14 years for my son. I have allergies and sometimes when our nurses would wear cologne or perfume I would get a migraine from it. It took a lot for me to tell them finally, NO cologne or perfume....My son had allergies worse than me so I needed to tell them to protect him as well. From a patient standpoint, I plead with you not to wear cologne. Do you want to make someone sick? I had so many migraines and sore throats before i finally told my nurses about it. and from then on, when I oriented a new nurse, i told them flat out, please dont wear any cologne or perfume.

Even now when my middle son wears body spray, he knows he has to only use a little, put it on in his room, before he leaves the house so mom doesnt get sick.

Hope this helps!

an angels mommy

justmurphy · Dec 24, 2008

Oh please don't, I have COPD and when I am in the hospital even someone walking down the hall who has on perfume or colonge is enough to send me into severe exacerbation and that makes me sad because I love the aroma of a good perfume. Having said that and I don't want to hype any brand of anything, but when I became more and more sensitive to odors and aromas I searched for something even lotion that was wearable. I bought bottle after bottle of this and that and finally found something that smelled wonderful, wasn't strong or overwhelming, just a faint smell of clean linen, like sheets hung outside to dry, when people still did that kind of thing. I bought a big bottle of philosophy lotion "Amazing Grace". The added benefit if my skin is so yucky from being on Prednisone --- Rhino Skin is what I call it, especially my arms and hands. This philosophy lotion "Amazing Grace" plumps out my hands so they don't look like they belong to a lizzard or alligator. People who have lung problems just can't handle the aromas and scents that others are so fortunate to be able to do so. Sometimes the aromas or scents is enough to literally shut you down. Please for the sake of the patients if you work in a hospital or a doctor's office in a health care facility, please don't wear colonge or perfume to work, please don't.

sumoe · Dec 24, 2008

This board is very interesting to me. I am picking up that a lot of the discussions involve professionalism. I'm sensing that the younger nurses haven't really "got it" yet. Professionalism is about what the job requires, not what you require for yourself. This discussion of perfume at work should not be in question at all. The answer is No Perfume at Work. Period. You, the wearer, may think you have applied a light dose to yourself, but over time your nose cannot detect the scent, so you apply more and more. The rest of us can certainly tell! I don't have allergies or respiratory problems, but was in a movie theater recently when a lady sat down in front of me. Perfumed. Layer upon old layer of perfume. My eyes started watering, my throat became scratchy...but she was perfectly content. Before the advent of deodorant, perfumes were almost a necessity, but good old soap and water, and a good deodorant (unscented) are the most anyone should be using when working with patients. Remember also, that the perfume lingers on your winter coat, hat, and anything else you may have worn with the perfume, and can transfer to your uniform. Stale perfume? Yikes!

southernbeegirl, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2008

I havent read this thread but have to reply to the original question.

a nurse i work with had so much perfume on recently that i had an asthma attack everytime i was around her. as her supervisor, i finally told her she needed to tone it down. i told her about my asthma attacks and how our resp. patients couldnt handle it. shes the type of nurse that knows everything, knows more than everyone...you know the type. she also came to us from a LTC vent unit so youd think shed know better.

she got so mad at me she complained to the DON and said she never wanted to work with me again.

and the DON actually started to fuss at me for saying that to her. my response was basically "is it not inappropriate to wear that much cologne to work? does it not affect our resp. patients?", her response of course was yes. so i stood my ground and said if i couldnt counsel employees as their supervisor then maybe i should find another position because my job was to ensure proper care for all the patients not put them in harms way so someone could smell good. ugh~