I mentioned a while back that my GYN of more than 25 years has retired. This left me with having to find a new doctor and I decided to just go with the one who inherited all of his files--at least I'll see her for one time and decide whether I stay there or not. I made my yearly appointment for next month and yesterday I received an envelope in the mail from the office. Inside were papers that need to be filled out along with a 'welcome to our office' letter. It was the standard stuff--parking directions, where they are located, etc--until I got to the end of the letter. It stated that the office is completely scent-free and I am to abstain from wearing any perfume or scented lotion for my appointment. Is this something new that doctor offices are doing or is this a bit of a fluke with this office? I have never heard of this before. So many questions come to mind.
- I wear perfume every day of my life--just something I do. It is like breathing for me--totally a habit and not something I consciously do. If I inadvertently put some on before going to the office, will they ask me to leave and make a new appointment?
- Is this policy due to a worker's allergies or is this for their patients' well-being?
- Does this mean that the office personnel are deodorant-free? Or have they figured out that you CAN buy unscented deodorant?
While I do have an aversion to over-powering perfume/aftershave/cologne, I get physically ill whenever I smell a 'natural' person. Even 'good, honest' sweat tends to nauseate me. I'm hoping there will be none of that in that office.
Oh my, I have never heard of Scent-Free offices! I have heard of SMOKE FREE ones, but never in my life have I been told NOT to wear perfume to a doctors office! That seems very bazaar to me!
ReplyDeleteI suppose, they could be doing that because SOME people tend to ABUSE cologne/perfume and that can give other people headaches. But, Ive really NEVER heard of making that a RULE!
Wow. I think you might need to look for a new OBGYN, and that sucks!
This is definitely a situation that will be scrutinized very thoroughly. There may be a search for a new GYN beginning in February. :/
ReplyDeleteA few times when I was quite a bit younger I'd stop off at the pub for a few belts before going to the dentist... kind of self medicating.
ReplyDeleteWell, my dentist, who was a really great guy and he was the best tooth driller ever, would get ill if he smelled any alcohol on me when I go there...
Maybe it's the same thing?
This new guy has a scent thing and get's physically ill if he smells and scents?
Dunno... Just guessing.
I don't have a clue. It could be that or someone with an allergy. Maybe there will be an explanation when I get there...
ReplyDeletePlease let us know what you find out...
ReplyDeleteAbout the scents, not your tests! LOL
Interesting. Probably the doctor has an allergy or an aversion to perfume. Of course, being an OB/GYN, it's possible that pregnant women could be overly sensitive to perfume, making them ill in the waiting room.
ReplyDeleteOh, hell, Tom--you know me, I'll even let you know about the tests! :D
ReplyDeletejanet: The youngest said that it is becoming the newest thing where they live to have scent-free medical offices. Great--what will they come up with next? Maybe we'll have to only wear natural fabrics: NO polyester allowed! :D
Makes me wish I lived closer. I am freakishly sensitive to smells so I would love that office. I wish more places were scent-free.
ReplyDeleteWell, kristi, The Youngest lives in St Paul and she said it is becoming more commonplace, so it should show up close to you soon!
ReplyDeleteYeah,I really need to know WHY they have this rule. You need to let us know when you find out!
ReplyDeleteIf I ever do, for sure.
ReplyDeleteMedical offices should promote good health and safe, non-toxic environments. Unfortunately, fragrances these days are made from hundreds of toxic chemicals and cause all manner of health problems in people. Here are a few interesting links if you want to learn more:
ReplyDeletePollution & air quality - Indoor air quality - Scents
http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/pollution-pollution/indoor-interieur/scents-parfums_e.php
Health Care Without Harm
http://www.noharm.org/us_canada/issues/toxins/cleaners_pesticides/fragrances.php
Toxic chemicals found in common scented laundry products, air fresheners "Fragranced consumer products and undisclosed ingredients"
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723134438.htm
linda: I will be asking at the office what the reasoning is behind this in their case. It just is so surprising to me because we usually aren't at the forefront of new trends here.
ReplyDeleteAnd I understand that some people are sensitive to this stuff--I have sensitive skin, so I can't use most scented products--but I have a much bigger sensitivity to 'normal' body smells. Unless someone bathes in dime store perfume, I would rather smell THAT than BO. And because I am so sensitive to BO, I do my best to not offend anyone with MY odors--hence my use of perfume daily. (Along with a daily shower, but THAT goes without saying.)
This has nothing to do with a "sensitivity" to smells. It has to do with chemical poisoning. The effects on the body are far more sinister than any allergic or nauseous reaction, but alter the actual brain, endocrine and central nervous system. Why do we have anti-drug campaigns? Because drugs alter the brain and body - same as the chemicals in perfumes and fragrances and fabric softeners and solvents and any petroleum based product, no matter if they smell pretty or not. A toxic chemical doesn't have to smell to be harmful. There just happens to be more than a fair share of them in fragrances (95% petroleum based ingredients) used by an industry that is self-regulated. Would you rub gasoline into yourself? Clean does not smell like chemicals. Clean has no smell. Truly fragrance-free or unscented products (not just those with masking chemicals added) are just as effective. Check EWG's cosmetics database for ingredients and safety.
ReplyDeletelinda: I'm sorry, but I'm not getting in a debate over this. I have my opinions--just as I have my opinions about politics, religion, global warming, smoking, vaccinations, etc--and I find that a lot of these things are no-win situations when debated. For the most part, my blog is just interesting--and very NON-interesting--things that occur in my life. This I found very interesting, so I posted about it.
ReplyDeleteLet me know when you find out the WHY. I've been thinking of reasons for it.
ReplyDeleteWill do. The appointment isn't for another month, though.
ReplyDelete