Heavy perfume in medical facilities, or anywhere, really

Posted by chicagomichelle @chicagomichelle, Jan 19, 2017

How do we get through to people that this could actually cause great respiratory distress? Even death.

I told a hotel guest the other day, in the kindest way possible, that I was allergic to her and she needed to understand what her chemical scent could do to those with respitory issues. She was headed to Mayo. I imagined the poor patients with even more severe conditions. It was the first time I ever said that to anyone's face, but felt it needed to be said.

I've experienced this a great deal this week, even with clinic staff. To date, I've had 0 complaints about MC, but I hope they are listening now and will work to make their buildings perfume free.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.

peggyj4411 | @peggyj4411 | Feb 9, 2017

In reply to @rosemarya "Dear members, @mari, @chicagomichelle, @peggyj4411, @ladycat, @katemn, It appears to me that along with the fragrance..." + (show)

Oh my, I can;t believe you said that! I had an ID bracelet tucked in back of my mind for years. Thank God I never needed one, since I luckily I or a family member could give out info. I even bought my mother a medic alert bracelet but she never wore it. Great idea, Rosemary! Since the place where I am living has only a few of my drug allergies listed, a personal record of them would be very reassuring. Warm thoughts back to you, Rosemary, and have a wonderfully pleasant tomorrow! We are going to freeze to death on top of all the snow, ugh.

mari | @mari | Feb 9, 2017

cities have a prescription bottles - u put a list of meds in it and put into freezer. Medics know to look in freezer for this list.

ladycat | @ladycat | Feb 9, 2017

In reply to @rosemarya "Dear members, @mari, @chicagomichelle, @peggyj4411, @ladycat, @katemn, It appears to me that along with the fragrance..." + (show)

I had a medic ID bracelet made for myself. The drugstore ones were a little not my cup of tea. The jeweler is also a paramedic. He said don't wear other bracelets with the medic ID one as only more confusion for the ambulance professionals.

peggyj4411 | @peggyj4411 | Feb 13, 2017

In reply to @rosemarya "Dear members, @mari, @chicagomichelle, @peggyj4411, @ladycat, @katemn, It appears to me that along with the fragrance..." + (show)

Thank you so much for the great tips, ladycat! I'll have to ask my sister to get a bracelet for me for when I go out. I understand the drugstore bracelets and those from one of those little catalogs are rather crappy. My sister knows most of my drug allergies, but I am wondering if all the names will fit! I'm not a bracelet wearer, so a single allergy alert one will do just fine. I will pass the pill bottle in the freezer tip along to my sister and all my friends who have severe allergies. Thanks again, ladycat! Have a good week!

ladycat | @ladycat | Feb 13, 2017

In reply to @rosemarya "Dear members, @mari, @chicagomichelle, @peggyj4411, @ladycat, @katemn, It appears to me that along with the fragrance..." + (show)

Glad you like the custom bracelet suggestion. I felt the investment in a petite , feminine style would be well worth it if I was ever alone & unconscious. Hoping you find what is to your liking. Mine says A-fib & anti-coagulant yet is not clunky nor obtrusive.

peggyj4411 | @peggyj4411 | Feb 13, 2017

In reply to @jamienolson "@chicagomichelle, @peggyj4411 and @ladycat, Hello and Thank you for starting this important discussion on a topic..." + (show)

@jamienolson

@chicagomichelle, @peggyj4411 and @ladycat, Hello and Thank you for starting this important discussion on a topic that we could all benefit from addressing and discussing.

After I was personally addressed at work by another coworker who was offended (and also has respiratory issues) by a scent that I love to wear. I read our work policy and put some thought into how to address this issue. You see, I use an essential oil that helps me focus (something that I struggle with daily) and believe has benefit to me throughout my work day. After talking with supervision I came to the realization of what kind of burden this was posing on others people as well. I had no idea how it was effecting others in our work group. I was able to do some research and found alternative ways to address my focus issues without any smells...which makes for a happy work group! 🙂

Looking into our dress and decorum work policy, I found it reads as is- "It is unacceptable for employees to smell of cigarette smoke or other strong perfumes or odors while at work. Employees who arrive in the work area with the smell of cigarette smoke or other strong smells on their clothing will be required to change before entering the work area". This is something that is given to all employees when they start here.

In our Allergy and Pulmonary areas there is verbiage on the patients itinerary that kindly asks for patients and attending family members to please avoid perfume and smells in these areas, which is great.

I also looked into our patient education center thinking this would be a good place to have educational material on those that suffer from respiratory issues and what happens when those patients come into contact with strong perfume smells. I found nothing. I then looked for a courtesy sign or something that states information for patient awareness to no avail. The positive spin.... these are all areas with room for improvement! Thank you for helping Mayo Clinic become an even better place for others.

Do any of you have ideas or thoughts for others reading this post on how to politely approach someone that may have an offensive or threatening perfume on? @chicagomichelle, what was the response you received from the hotel guest?

Jump to this post

Oh Michelle, my apologies for not answering your message sooner; I;ve been zapped to the gills with sinus and eye problems. You are such a caring person and I only wish I could help you in some little way! Would you believe a friend here in this facility complained on my behalf and without telling me, all the problems I've been having with over---drenched aides and other personnel? And not with only the perfume; also many other issues with certain aides having nothing to do with strong odors. I can't imagine what this friend really said, as she is a chronic complainer and a pain in the ass to the entire staff. But the 2 worst--scented and worst behaved aides actually came to work on the morning shift with a definite reduction in their heavy perfume odors! It took me awhile to realize there was something different, but not before my friend popped in and told me what she had done.Actually I was very annoyed at this lady for going behind my back, violating my confidence over some things that were not to be repeated about these aides. They are nasty and lazy to begin with.Now, although one was perfume--free.today and the other very lightly scented, they've got my number. But hey, what am I complaining about, progress was made! I see my Social Worker again tomorrow (the first time was, "Oh, just ask them nicely.......) and hopefully more progress will occur. It was so kind of you to offer to call my Social Worker; if the need does arise, I will certainly ask for you to call! We just all have to carry on our crusade against the chemical warfare out there! I hope you are feeling better this week, Michelle. I fully understand the smell and taste of liquids in plastic bottles; yeeech! I have to drink bottled water, because our water system is heavy chlorinated and tastes like Clorox. It is awful! Gotta go, hope you are OK for now! Love, Peg

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Feb 14, 2017

In reply to @rosemarya "Dear members, @mari, @chicagomichelle, @peggyj4411, @ladycat, @katemn, It appears to me that along with the fragrance..." + (show)

I love a pretty bracelet! And so much better that it is helping you be pro active about your health 🙂
Rosemary

ladycat | @ladycat | Feb 14, 2017

In reply to @rosemarya "Dear members, @mari, @chicagomichelle, @peggyj4411, @ladycat, @katemn, It appears to me that along with the fragrance..." + (show)

It happened once. I slipped. Hit my head Fractured my sacrum. Was alone of course. Very glad was prepared. During the CT scan a meningioma was discovered. No symptoms. Just a common slip & fall in the bathroom. Hope my suggestion allows other readers to consider this option.

peggyj4411 | @peggyj4411 | Feb 16, 2017

In reply to @rosemarya "Dear members, @mari, @chicagomichelle, @peggyj4411, @ladycat, @katemn, It appears to me that along with the fragrance..." + (show)

My apologies for not replying sooner, ladycat, to both your posts! Been a bit laid up of late. I've been thinking, I'm really a necklace person, and love wearing my crosses. Another necklace would really be nice, and something I could definitely not forget to put on. I'm pretty sure my medical info could be used as such, what do you think? I would wear the crucifix on the outside of my top and the medic alert underneath. I just have so many emergency stuff in addition to severe allergies and sensitivities. I also have A--Fib, congestive heart failure and have had a heart attack when I was very young, among other little ditties. But I am sure it will worki out just fine. As for the chokingly scented magazines, I am down to one, as I let all my fashion/glamour type magazine subscriptions lapse because of those unfortunate scents. I wonder if these magazine publishers realize how many people get truly sick from these perfumes. But it is all about money, of course. Have a great weekend! And sorry you had such a bad fall that hurt you in a very tender area--yeeech! Thank God for paramedics, how did any emergencies survive without them?

peggyj4411 | @peggyj4411 | Feb 16, 2017

In reply to @rosemarya "Dear members, @mari, @chicagomichelle, @peggyj4411, @ladycat, @katemn, It appears to me that along with the fragrance..." + (show)

Hello Rosemary! I had wanted to let you know for a long time what a wonderful person you are, being a volunteer mentor! I wish I was able to help other people the way you do, especially after all the medical miseries you suffered before and after your transplants! My best friend had a kidney transplant 15 years ago from a living donor. and she and the kidney are doing just fine. But prior to the transplant, life was hell for her. So I know some of what you must have gone through. Yet you are kind and loving enough to reach out to all these suffering people; it is truly amazing! Hope you have a great weekend! Lots of virtual hugs, Peggy