Appropriate fragrances for a hospital worker?

Mugler Cologne is an EXCELLENT choice! I'll also suggest Gendarme, CK be, Burberry Touch, and Clinique Happy.

And welcome to basenotes!!!

Hi Pete,
And welcome!

I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but if I were working with patients (maybe you're not?), I would be very cautious about using fragrance at all. Even apart from the usual allergy concerns, which are legion nowadays, I would think that being sick would increase one's sensitivity to scents even more, so even if it didn't make someone have an asthma attack or the like, they may find scents much more annoying than they usually would.

I would think that someone not hovering near patients could probably wear more types of fragrances.

But an opinion on this would be best given by a health professional; let's see if any of them chime in.

On a more positive note, you'll get loads of ideas from people here!
Best of luck, Dave

I agree with CJ,Mugler Cologne would be a great choice.

I think Bvlgari pour homme would be a better option than their Aqva. Its much more understated IMO. That would be my first choice. Its one of the best anytime, anywhere fragrances out there. Not to mention, its pretty unique as well.

A few others i would try are Creed's Original Vetiver and Odeur 53 by Comme des Garcons.

What an interesting topic!

I am in love with L'Antimatiere by LesNez - it's all I want to smell these days, and it's extremely light (some people claim it's like spraying on water).

However, Cognoscento has a point - maybe you could try the hypoalergenic Burberry Baby Touch baby cologne?

Isn't this covered in the employee handbook? I can see a doctor arriving at the bedside of a patient and exclaiming "it's gagrenous" and you come out of the loo and announce no it's "cuir mauresque"

I'd check with Human Resources and see what they suggest.

That is really a good one!

My dentist wears Mugler Cologne.

Chiming in from the cardiopulmonary department... (Just got my temp state license today, matter o'fact. )

As a rule, I'd say "None, period." Not only can it irritate potentially hypersensitive respiratory systems... it's not even really the appropriate 'scene' -- The for-instances that come to mind make the lifelong anti-authoritarian in me think, "Dude, relaaaax", so I'll keep them to myself, but let's just leave it with, "Bad Idea." *heh*

Skipping -around- the rule that certain exceptions just helps to prove: It also depends where you work and what type of patient you're talking about. If you're sitting somewhere in an administrative office away from patient contact, I'm sure it's a bit safer. If you're doing postmortem pathology, I'm sure fewer will care. Some absolute no-no's would be: Any acute care: ICU, (And PICU/NICU) ER. Anything with children/babies (Smaller airway radius to begin with = greater effect of bronchospasm). Anything with chronic lung disease (Asthma, COPD, CF, Chronic Bronchitis, ILD, etc.).

So, that leaves the subacute adult population. However, a lot of -those- patients can have respiratory issues. I regularly get orthopedic patients... COPD-ers tear rotator cuffs, too! *grin* Also, post-operative atelectasis can kick down even a person with normal lungs' reserve.

All THAT ranting aside, a lightly-applied aftershave-strength something is fairly safe. The moral of the story? No Kouros.

I would think that any 'cologne' would be appropriate in a hospital job.

By cologne, I mean colognes strength scents. Many of the larger and niche fragrance lines now include atleast one 'cologne' style scent. Much lighter, more alcohol vs oil and therefore less sillage/longevity. However, some of them are quite good.

Colognes I'd wear if I worked in a hospital:

Vetiveru by Comme de Garcons
Eau de Cologne by Chanel
Cologne Blanche by Dior

More cologne recommendations can be found on that thread: http://community.basenotes.net/showthread.php?t=193380

I've been working in a hospital setting for ~10 years, and would have to say that it's generally considered inappropriate to wear fragrances during patient/client interaction(s). That being said, no one said that you can't bring along your MKK spritzer for post-work "special" occasions

I don't believe the poster asked for advice if he should or should not wear scents to work.

I second CdG Vettiveru and Creed OV.

TNMA

The first scent to come to mind for me would be Gendarme and maybe Mugler Cologne next.

"I don't believe the poster asked for advice if he should or should not wear scents to work."

Not to be a pain, but it's an actual health issue -- and on the 'What's appropriate?' question, 'Nothing' is the best answer in many situations.

If someone asks, "What's the best model flyswatter to steal from Bob's Flyswatter Emporium?", I don't think people should get condescending about the phrasing of the question if someone suggests not stealing anything at all.

Exactly my opinion.

The op did ask for guidance - something that someone, who has already experienced the questioned situation, may, in fact, have some knowledge about. In the decade at one of the world's leading research/medical institution, I've never come across any other doctors wearing any noticeable scent. Therefore can't this amount of "in the field" background data be utilised as perhaps some sort of "guidance"?

But then again, the op never claimed that he/she was a physician nor nurse, so perhaps there is no patient contact/interaction?

Dont think twice and get your hands on some Versace Metal Jeans. Tough to find, but it's what you're looking for.

This seems a prudent recommendation regarding cologne strength fragrances.
Being a non clinical ER worker, I do wear fragrance, but am conscious about the amount of application. It is frowned upon where I work, for Nurses or Doctors to wear fragrance, though many nurses get around this using scented body lotions, which are generally more subtle.
Of course if you ask me about a specific scent these days, you KNOW I'm going to recommend Himalaya

I wouldn't over-emphasise the importance of a hospital over any other work institution - (many people like to do this) as if they are some form of holy shrine.

I'd apply the same rules for fragrance for any professional situation. Wear a subtle fragrance (the ones you've picked are perfect) and apply judiciously, such that only someone coming very close to you can smell it distinctly, at a distance you will just smell like someone who values personal hygiene, which BTW many in people who work in hospitals do not. Much better to smell like Bvlgari PH than cigarette smoke or body odour.

Saying fragrance in a hospital is tabou / inderdit (pun) is ridiculous.

Gendarme
Gendarme V
Gendarme 20
Grabazzi

anything clean/soapy smelling IMO.

I don't believe those replying are obligated to answer the poster's question and say nothing more.

May I suggest:
Gendarme V
TM Cologne
Bulgari PH
Monsieur Galimard
Lorenzo Villoresi Uomo
Acqua di Parma - Colonia
Paco Rabanne Sport
Acqua di Selva
4711
Monsieur de Givenchy

Hehe, my apologies to all; I meant no offense.

TNMA