Weird thing happening...

Published

Every time I have come to my patient's home the last few weeks, my nose starts running...like a faucet!

I have had the same patient since April, and I have never had this problem before!

It was so bad tonight, I was leaning over the crib trying to assess and do vitals, and I had to excuse myself and run to the bathroom because my nose was just dripping.

I have not been sick whatsoever, and I have never had a problem with allergies, so I have no idea what the deal is? It tends to last an hour or two then clear up.

It seems so insignificant, but it is super annoying and embarrasing. I don't want the family thinking I am sick and contaminating their child!

So...any ideas or tips? Do I get some kind of award for craziest PDN thread?! (I almost didn't post this for that reason, but this is really causing me problems!)

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Any other symptoms associated with the nose running?

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None at all. And the only time it happens is at work.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

That's not crazy. I've had that happen in a few homes. I could be wrong, but I think its something I'm allergic to. Seems to really happen to me in roach infested homes. And yes its embarrassing! With me, my nose must run when a parent is standing near me and it must run when its the worst time possible (like with gloves on while the pt is being cleaned up from a blowout).

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The weird thing is that this never happened till a few weeks ago. So what could have changed?

I guess I am going to just have to fess up to the family so they don't freak out if I keep blowing my nose.

I don't know how exactly to tell them that coming to their home causes sudden onset of severe rhinorrhea...

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Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

I have the same thing happen all the time because I do have allergies. For me it's red, itchy eyes. So I look like I've been crying or smoked some pot or really tired or really sick. Plus the runny nose. I finally started taking Allegra before a shift and it works. I can't even pinpoint what I'm allergic to. I could be fine in one unit and suffering in another. My immune system is hypersensitive like that - like a radar for environmenta

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

Could it be a new mold problem? I've been I'm a few homes where this was a problem. That also triggers me.

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Did they recently turn the heat on? Perhaps their is mold in their ductwork that is being made worse from the heat?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

What ventmommy said. Likely it's the heating season and air ducts.

Mine runs from the plug-in air freshener in EVERY ROOM OF THE HOUSE at one of my cases. And I do have allergies, and I'm about to leave this case because I cannot take the smell.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.
What ventmommy said. Likely it's the heating season and air ducts.

Mine runs from the plug-in air freshener in EVERY ROOM OF THE HOUSE at one of my cases. And I do have allergies, and I'm about to leave this case because I cannot take the smell.

I've unplugged those before, making sure to plug it back in at the end of my shift. Plus making it look like it was bumped and fell from the outlet if the family notices. Some scents I like and use in my home. But some are just plain awful!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
I've unplugged those before, making sure to plug it back in at the end of my shift. Plus making it look like it was bumped and fell from the outlet if the family notices. Some scents I like and use in my home. But some are just plain awful!

These are floral scented (and not in a good way either), and like I said in EVERY room.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

These are floral scented (and not in a good way either), and like I said in EVERY room.

Floral scents are the worst to me. That and perfume/Cologne scents. After that, the sickening sweet smell. I prefer fruity scents or something like cinnamon in the fall. Simply opening windows works great too!

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