Is it rude to wear a mask when changing an adult's soiled diaper?

Yes i think a mask is fine. It is helpful to your job and airborne bacteria is also an issue. I would suggest you also wear gloves when changing diapers

I use a perineal cleanser spray. It has a scent that masks the bad odor and makes the job much easier. Just spray and wipe and repeat. I buy it by the gallon.

I don't think it rude at all. My brother is an RN and they have used shaving cream on the inside of their masks so the patient didn't know. (This was not just a soiled diaper though). I'm sure Vicks would work just as well.

I don’t think so.

If there is airborne bacteria how come we dont put on hazmat suits to use public restrooms? Have you heard of anyone getting sick from using the facilities? No.

Why on earth would you NOT wear a mask? There is some smell and I would hate that smell and most likely gag. It is enough that you are willing to change the dirty diaper. Don't concern yourself with what someone thinks - the person should have enough sense to realize things smell and if they don't, tough "s..t". Yes, wear a mask or don't clean the diapers. Get someone else to take over if they object.

If the pad is changed correctly there should be very little smells. Ensure windows are open before commencing. Have a plastic bag ready & close by. Wash bowl or wipes should be ready to clean soiled area immediately pad taken off. As soon as pad comes off put immediately into small bag quickly clean body part throw ing into bag. Then tie bag up, so all smells captured inside. Then continue to put new pad on. Once finished discard bag containing dirty pad. Close windows again once all odours cleared

Some carers put Vicks Vapo Rub under their nose. They say it is quite helpful.

Why are you really wearing the mask.  The mask will  not stop  you from gagging and the smell is still there.  It is true that bowel movements do have air born bacteria so it is possible to catch something, but I never have. With the mask, I found my self touching my face more to keep  the mask position right.

Don’t mean to rant, but ...

It’s so funny for me to read the comments written here by people who are so squeamish and grossed out.

When you read their fine print, they aren’t/weren’t really helping with these adult diapers because their loved ones are/were being cared for by others or living in institutions.

Why comment on a thread like this? Perhaps to try want to make those who are faced with this task feel worse, and themselves feel better.

They should start a thread about things they would never do for others instead of answering questions about caregiving.

The truth is, we can all get through any task, no big deal. Just do it!

It's a good idea and No, it's not rude. Does she notice it or feel offended when you do? If she does, why not "make" funny masks by drawing on them for Both of you. Also, you can put a little Mentholatum, Vicks or a drop of any essential oil you like on it to help deal with the smell. There are a lot of different mfg's to choose from. Some are throwaway, like painters use and some are washable; like these... https://www.amazon.com/DINGJIN-Unisex-Cartoon-Pattern-Anti-dust/dp/B07BKY4CQ4/ref=pd_sbs_121_23?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07BKY4CQ4&pd_rd_r=acf3e8fc-86b1-11e9-a9ce-814cf5dd9e62&pd_rd_w=ER4P6&pd_rd_wg=Gm0t4&pf_rd_p=588939de-d3f8-42f1-a3d8-d556eae5797d&pf_rd_r=8WXPQWYMRMRAKD6JNBN5&psc=1&refRID=8WXPQWYMRMRAKD6JNBN5

:)

Oh Lordie I wish I'd thought to ask - or seen a similar "thread" - when I still had my Mom... I am not squeemish about very much - but people poop is something I just can't handle! I've never had kids, so don't try "it's no different than a baby"! My Mom was in hospitals/rehabs/nursing facilities/etc. for over two years... I was there every day, took her to every appointment, monitored her wounds, etc. BUT - my biggest fear was when she had to "go" and there was no one else to help! OMG! I dreaded helping her because it made me so sick! Even urine... I have a really acute sense of smell, and I felt (and still feel?) guilty because I might have been able to bring her home, been able to deal with everything else, but... I just couldn't stand the smell and would gag, choke, dry-heave until I had tears running down my face, while I was trying to take care of her... It never got better! She'd actually laugh at me - "It's probably a good thing you never had babies, because you'd have to change them!" I had arguments with the nursing home staff, because I'd remind/instruct them to make sure she'd used the restroom before I picked her up for appointments, and then we'd barely get started - or just get to the doctor's office - and she'd say she had to go... It would not only make us late to appointments by the time I got her out of the bathroom (she was in a companion chair/couldn't stand up or help much) but I would literally be sick afterwards... I know I'm going on, but I would feel so guilty (it still bothers me!) when she'd beg to come home with me, and I just couldn't get past the toilet issues...(In reality, it would have probably been nearly impossible for me by myself, but maybe???) Before she fell and broke her hip/wrist and ended up in facilities, she lived with me and had some chronic diarhrea problems, but because of "false pride" she refused to wear adult disposable briefs, and only wore pads, which were not remotely appropriate. She was blind from MD, and wouldn't make it to the toilet on time and she and the bathroom would be a mess. She'd try to clean it herself (good luck with that!), and I'd have to do it... I knew from that I just couldn't handle it every day... I didn't even think of a mask/Vicks, etc.... (I hate masks on my face in general, but it would have been worth a try!)

Wear a mask & gloves.

Not if you're going to vomit!!! I couldn't help my own mother when she had an accident. I just couldn't. Thankfully she was still able to do things for herself at that time, but it let me know that I didn't want to put my own son through the riggers of having to take care of me when I get that age.

Of course it is alright and not rude. I worked for 45 years as a nurse and had to be around a lot of unpleasant odors. I don't know why but as I've gotten older and am now retired I find myself gagging when my mother is incontinent. I wear gloves and a mask and also put Vicks in my nose to mask the smell. It certainly doesn't seem to bother her in the least.

It’s not rude, it’s sanitary!!

Not at all! Changing an infant's diaper is not the same as changing an adults, I don't care what anyone says. If you are not a trained CNA of course it will be unpleasant. Your loved one is lucky your are caring for them and getting them cleaned up. Don't feel bad about making yourself more comfortable in the process!

When I was trying to place my mother in a facility and I was having a tough time, the worse part was listening to some annoying, judgmental propaganda such as "well, they took care of you when you were a baby......". It's not the same. It's tough on the caretaker, and it's a violation of dignity for the elder.

The other situation is when there would be invites to family parties and I would feel pressured to bring my elderly, incontinent, dementia and anxiety riddled mother to the event. I was quite candid and told people, no thank you, but I'd like to enjoy your party and I do not want to spend the whole evening in the toilet with my mother. Period. That shut them right up.

Of course! You’re protecting her from your germs! 😉

Wear a mask & gloves. You are also protecting your LO from catching an infection from you! Staph on our skin is very common. Your LO is likely to have damaged of fragile skin.
Essential oils or a drop of vanilla on the mask may help. Also remember to pull your hair back.

In my opinion, if your mom is not coherent, it doesn't matter, but if she somewhat coherent, then you have to politely tell your mom that you have to wear a mask for germ issues, not because of the odors.

I am a retired pediatrician, and was subjected to many "smells" through the years, from the unbathed, infectious diarrheas, severe skin or other infections, etc. and became less sensitive through the years, but always found it helpful to start breathing consciously through my mouth avoiding inhaling through my nose. It may take some practice, but at least you wouldn't be dealing with the oftentimes uncomfortable mask. In 23 years of practice the only thing I ever caught from a patient was influenza A over the 1999--2000 holidays in spite of the flu shot--out of work for two weeks, coughed incessantly for 9 weeks in spite of numerous medications, back to work after two weeks, and scaring my patients because I could barely get a question out without going into a strangling coughing fit! The mothers would look rather concernedly at me when I'd ask them why they'd brought "Junior" in, as they answered, "Uh..he's got...uh..a cold!"

Heavens yes it is fine to wear a mask. Feces has lots of bacteria so wear gloves too. I wouldn't want someone who was nice enough to clean me to catch anything or gag either. Do what you need to do. Remember that you are caring enough to clean someone you love so the rules are yours. The Vicks really helps under the nose so don't forget it. With time, it does get easier so give yourself a pat on the back and be patient with new duties. Best of luck and quit worrying.

First post I read this morning....one way to skip breakfast. LOL We all have our limits. For me it is vomit. Everyone would say if it your child it won't bother you. WRONG! I would get through it but not without lots of gagging. Wish I would of thought of the vicks or the mask. You do what you have to do Sherry.

No, not at all. actually it's better if you do. And gloves as well.

No. It is not rude to protect yourself from bacteria.

I chose not to wear a mask with my DH when I cleaned him, but he wasn't in Adult Briefs. I chose not to wear gloves unless there was a chance of infection, like if I had a cut on my hands. But that was my choice to make.

You do whatever you feel you need to better protect yourself.

If you use shaving cream to clean, you will find it to absorb all odors and help immensely with cleaning. But if the stool has overpowering odors and especially if liquidy you probably should get it checked for c. diff or other organism.

I think your reasoning about airborne bacteria is quite logical. I'm not sure it will help with the odor issue, but I'd go for it. It's not so easy to find good and compassionate, caring people, so if having one and that one wants to wear a mask for an unpleasant task...that should be the biggest of their problems!

As a courtesy to the person/patient you could/should let them know so you don't scare the person. You never know how a loved one will react as the enter their aging years. It's a good thought to tell the next generation what may come as you age. I didn't know of this situation as I did not have this issue with my parents.

Put a swab of Vaporub, or a high-alchohol based hand sanitizer in a mask, then wear the mask. It covers smells by overloading your senses.

Is it rude? You're doing a very unpleasant job - there's no such thing as feeling bad about self protection. my opinion is TS (no pun).