Body odor -- How to deal??

[Eva]

Hey guys! I'm in massage school full time and have a little problem.

There is one woman who is also a massage student who has just horrific breath and body odor. (Same woman had a whole pizza to herself at the dinner break last night. I think I know the source :eek::rolleyes:)... I was massaging this woman for a few hours last night.

And thanks to raw (staying around 100% less things like herbs that I can't be sure about), my nose is POWERFUL! I can smell everything. I almost got knocked over last night!

What do I do? This is something I have a gift for. I want to pour love into it no matter who I am massaging, but I was so challenged last night. Can I put something in my nose or something???

[Veganforlife]

ARGH! I KNOW what you mean. Some of the folks that come into the HFS - EWW! And my boss. I always know when he's eaten meat; he reeks of it.

How well do you know this person? Well enough to even subtly suggest something? How about burning incense or having a scented candle lit?

Other than saying flat out, "Listen you SAD/CRAP food eater - you STINK!", which I KNOW I would love to do at times, I really don't know.

Nose plugs like swimmers use while massaging her?

[Eva]

It's not just going to be her. I'm not so worried about what she can do for herself. It's what I can do when this comes up. Because it will come up! Not everyone smells like cucumbers and carrots! (Too bad too!)

I was sort of thinking of peppermint essential oil in my nose or something like that? That's all I could think of, and I don't know if there is a reason not to do that...

[Veganforlife]

Well, peppermint may burn. You may want to go with like a lavendar or a more floral fragrance. Any of the mints will tingle and maybe burn if you get it inside your nose. Rub the oil on your lip (above the lip), under your nose...

[Eva]

All right, I will have to try that. Like I need something else to fit into my schedule (ACK!), but I might actually go somewhere to pick up some lavendar today. Tonight, I'll be doing 3 or 4 hours of massage, and who knows who will be my "body"...

[Eva]

ARGH! I KNOW what you mean. Some of the folks that come into the HFS - EWW! And my boss. I always know when he's eaten meat; he reeks of it.


Such a morbid thought, but I wonder if this is close to what a dead person would smell like?? It's really pretty interesting how different people smell when they've been eating dead animals!

[JennaBoBenna]

I know how you feel! I have a patient who comes into work who REEEEEEKS! And he tries to cover it with peppermint, but it doesn't help and makes it worse. I can't even be around him or it gives me a stomach ache and makes me gag. I can't imagine massaging someone like that! my heart goes out to you!! :eek:

[MelanieM]

Hmm. I might try putting some essential oils into a carrier oil (olive oil would do) and rubbing it just under your nose. Maybe experiment first so you can see how you do with your oils of choice so close to your nose like that!

I like eucalyptus any time there's a combating smell bothering me. I just cleared my room with it the other day as some work was done at my windows that resulted in harsh chemical smells making their way into my home. The oils around my bed and perimeter of the room really helped!

Could you use aromatherapy oils on your clients? That would be a way to ensure the smell is a little more under your control. Plus, it's beautiful for the recipient!

[rawlight]

You're right, Eva. It isn't just this student you have to work on, but this will come up throughout your career. So I bet it's not new in your industry and that it's in your curriculum somewhere. Why not talk to an instructor and see what he or she says. You don't have to name names, but just ask in general what is the protocol?

I was thinking of tea tree salve or some kind of essential oil, as well, to put just below your nose.

[RawHeaven]

This thread is making me laugh because I can relate especially to what Jenna wrote. I smell so much dead stuff on people and then the perfumes and breath fresheners they try to use to cover it up makes it even worse! They are not aware of what they really smell like....but you know what I mean.

I echo....dab a little essential oil on your top lip or else get one of those gas mask thingies. I'm sorry...I know that's probably not an option. But hey, I use an "allergy mask" when I'm on public transportation now. I have no shame. :p:D

Best wishes Eva! I feel for you.

[RawHeaven]

Eva....oh yeah, if you can find some activated charcoal. Putting that in a glass of water soaks up the most vile odors - it's good for tobacco smoke also. I think if you found other remedies that absorb odors maybe this would help a great deal. I have the nose of a raw bloodhound, so I'm with you in solidarity. Hope you find relief my dear.

http://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/


household odor removal - but maybe some of it applies to BO

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/householdodors

[Eva]

my heart goes out to you!! :eek:

LOL, thanks. It's not that bad. But maybe it is! I am really a lot more sensitive to these things now. I can't imagine massaging the peppermint man.


Hmm. I might try putting some essential oils into a carrier oil (olive oil would do) and rubbing it just under your nose. Maybe experiment first so you can see how you do with your oils of choice so close to your nose like that!

I like eucalyptus any time there's a combating smell bothering me. I just cleared my room with it the other day as some work was done at my windows that resulted in harsh chemical smells making their way into my home. The oils around my bed and perimeter of the room really helped!

Could you use aromatherapy oils on your clients? That would be a way to ensure the smell is a little more under your control. Plus, it's beautiful for the recipient!

Good idea! Actually, eucalyptus sounds great.


You're right, Eva. It isn't just this student you have to work on, but this will come up throughout your career. So I bet it's not new in your industry and that it's in your curriculum somewhere. Why not talk to an instructor and see what he or she says. You don't have to name names, but just ask in general what is the protocol?

I was thinking of tea tree salve or some kind of essential oil, as well, to put just below your nose.

Tea tree is great for killing bacteria, I think. That one might be a double whammy if I use it in lotion, along with peppermint or something. I don't know if that would be too refreshing, though. I'm going to bring this up tonight. I just didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I didn't see it in the curriculum or book. I'd bet I'm more sensitive to it than anyone else in the class, so I'm really not sure if it will come up without me asking! :eek:

I actually went to the mall today to get white tennis shoes and tried to find some oils. No luck. I'll have to go to the other mall this weekend or see if I can't find another store with essential oils instead of perfumey stores that give me a headache!

[Eva]

I echo....dab a little essential oil on your top lip or else get one of those gas mask thingies. I'm sorry...I know that's probably not an option. But hey, I use an "allergy mask" when I'm on public transportation now. I have no shame. :p:D

Best wishes Eva! I feel for you.

OMG -- a mask?! LOL, I don't think that'll fly!!

[Eva]

Eva....oh yeah, if you can find some activated charcoal. Putting that in a glass of water soaks up the most vile odors - it's good for tobacco smoke also. I think if you found other remedies that absorb odors maybe this would help a great deal. I have the nose of a raw bloodhound, so I'm with you in solidarity. Hope you find relief my dear.

http://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/


household odor removal - but maybe some of it applies to BO

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/householdodors

Do you use this??

[MelanieM]

Tea tree is great for killing bacteria, I think. That one might be a double whammy if I use it in lotion, along with peppermint or something. I don't know if that would be too refreshing, though.

Lavender and peppermint is a beautiful combination. It smells heavenly and is quite soothing. It would also be a great deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial blend that isn't so refreshing as to keep the client from relaxing into the experience. I use this blend on my temples to sooth headaches. :D

[RawKnitster]

Other than saying flat out, "Listen you SAD/CRAP food eater - you STINK!", which I KNOW I would love to do at times, I really don't know.

Nose plugs like swimmers use while massaging her?

VFL, :DThanks for the laugh! I needed that!

Eva, I have a friend that has been a massage therapist for many years. She mixes her own oils with a little scent. Her work room smells like eucalyptus and lavender. I like the idea of tea tree oil also.

It may be more than just body odor from cooked foods. My friend gets a lot of insurance business from doctor referrals. She said she can smell the odor of illness in people who are very sick and fighting for their lives. Makes her sad.

How about wearing an aroma therapy pendant around your neck. You can scent with whatever pleases you that day? That way you can take it off when your done.

[RawHeaven]

Do you use this??

I moved into a house once that used to inhabit heavy smokers. I got some of this stuff (charcoal) and it worked to clear the residual odor! I got it at GNC. Is GNC still around? Anyway, it does work. Baking soda does too, but this is more powerful. You could just put some in a bowl of water and set it in the room somewhere. No one would be the wiser.

Yeah, the mask is less conspicuous. LOL. :p

[RawHeaven]

Other than saying flat out, "Listen you SAD/CRAP food eater - you STINK!", which I KNOW I would love to do at times, I really don't know.



Not good for the love life though. I once said this to my meat eating ex boyfriend during an argument. lol.

[Eva]

VFL, :DThanks for the laugh! I needed that!

Eva, I have a friend that has been a massage therapist for many years. She mixes her own oils with a little scent. Her work room smells like eucalyptus and lavender. I like the idea of tea tree oil also.

It may be more than just body odor from cooked foods. My friend gets a lot of insurance business from doctor referrals. She said she can smell the odor of illness in people who are very sick and fighting for their lives. Makes her sad.

How about wearing an aroma therapy pendant around your neck. You can scent with whatever pleases you that day? That way you can take it off when your done.

So true. My perspective is changing every day I learn more. We were JUST touching on medical massage tonight. Apparently you can actually tell if someone's organs are failing them by how the smell is sometimes!! Crazy.

[Eva]

I've gotten so many ideas. I really love both lavendar and peppermint, so I think I'm going to give that a try. I will buy them both this weekend, maybe eucalyptus too depending on the cost.

I wanted to ask about this tonight at class, but we were not on topic anywhere near this. I will try to fit it in tomorrow night to see what I can find out. :)

Thank you all SO much for sharing your ideas. Keep them coming if there is anything else of course! But I have already gotten so many good ones. :)

[freshlight]

In such cases I tend to think-->what would I want to hear from the others if I would be in a similar situation?=if I was the one who has a strong body odor?
I'd like them to tell me the truth because that would probably be the only way for me to learn how to deal with that problem.
Have you ever considered doing that? It isn't easy but I'm sure you could find the right words and the people might be grateful to you in the end.
I once had the same problem with my coworker.
It was SO unbearable that the others did always spray perfume around if she was in the same room with them. It took me 2 years but then I summoned all my courage and told her about it.
She was hurt. But she started washing herself more often and was grateful for my honesty in the end.
I just thought it wasn't fair to talk about it behind her back.

Anyway, I wish you good luck,-I know how awful it can be.
Take care,
Eva

[Eva]

In such cases I tend to think-->what would I want to hear from the others if I would be in a similar situation?=if I was the one who has a strong body odor?
I'd like them to tell me the truth because that would probably be the only way for me to learn how to deal with that problem.
Have you ever considered doing that? It isn't easy but I'm sure you could find the right words and the people might be grateful to you in the end.
I once had the same problem with my coworker.
It was SO unbearable that the others did always spray perfume around if she was in the same room with them. It took me 2 years but then I summoned all my courage and told her about it.
She was hurt. But she started washing herself more often and was grateful for my honesty in the end.
I just thought it wasn't fair to talk about it behind her back.

Anyway, I wish you good luck,-I know how awful it can be.
Take care,
Eva

That's a really good point. I bet there are situations where people might truly appreciate telling them they have body odor.

I'm not sure that a professional setting between client and massage therapist is a great time for that, though. Unless it were a medical massage and part of a diagnosis or something? But I don't know much about medical massage yet and will probably not be going on that career path.

I've gotten a lot of work done already, and it's not even 8 am. If I can manage to get a boatload more of work done early, I'm going to try to get the oils today so I can test it out before the weekend!

[freshlight]

You are right:I'm not sure I'd do it in your situation either. BTW: Congratulations on trying to find a solution on this prob. Some folks would probably quit the whole thing alltogether. Be proud of yourself for being so strong&loving.

I wish you lots of wonderful smelling patients :D