My Weakness is Bleach?!

[saikaks]

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I have a particularly sharp sense of smell. Even after the fact, this did not appear to be a problem because the smells of death and decay did not bother me or cause any nausea. However, I did realize I had some sort of aversion to the smell of bleach or chlorine. Earlier today, I conducted a lab in which the room was completely permeated with the smell of bleach. Exposed to this pungent smell for less than 10 minutes, I was coughing, my vision started going black, and I was about to faint at any second. Bleach is frequently used in hospitals and research laboratories and is a smell any medical/health worker would have to get used to.
Are there any ways I can desensitize myself to the smell of bleach? For example, put myself in rooms smelling of bleach (however, I do not think poisoning myself is the answer!) or maybe some sort of gradual desensitization? I am still quite young (junior in high school) but fully set on becoming a Medical Examiner. I'd like to know whether this seemingly slight setback would cause major problems in the working environment.

 

[JustAPhD]

You'll get used to it.

 

[Goro]

Get into college first.

I have a particularly sharp sense of smell. Even after the fact, this did not appear to be a problem because the smells of death and decay did not bother me or cause any nausea. However, I did realize I had some sort of aversion to the smell of bleach or chlorine. Earlier today, I conducted a lab in which the room was completely permeated with the smell of bleach. Exposed to this pungent smell for less than 10 minutes, I was coughing, my vision started going black, and I was about to faint at any second. Bleach is frequently used in hospitals and research laboratories and is a smell any medical/health worker would have to get used to.
Are there any ways I can desensitize myself to the smell of bleach? For example, put myself in rooms smelling of bleach (however, I do not think poisoning myself is the answer!) or maybe some sort of gradual desensitization? I am still quite young (junior in high school) but fully set on becoming a Medical Examiner. I'd like to know whether this seemingly slight setback would cause major problems in the working environment.

 

[kb1900]

this is actually a problem on our lab floor.

bleach solns are supposed to always be covered so they dont irritate people. but noone really followed the rules and it took me about a year to get useed to it

 

[C. Diff]

@saikaks I wouldn't worry about it. Alcohol wipes and hand washing are effective in dealing with most pathogens.

 

[darkeon]

Thought this referred to the anime

 

[NotASerialKiller]

I used to feel the same way about blood and viscera, but I overcame it when I was about 14

 

[libertyyne]

I used to feel the same way about blood and viscera, but I overcame it when I was about 14

Did it involve vivisection of small animals?

 

[saikaks]

Did it involve vivisection of small animals?

Actually, I found that performing vivisections and regular dissections on my spare time gradually took away the shakiness in my hands.

 

[saikaks]

Get into college first.

Don't see the reasoning in not eliminating my faults when I see them, but I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.

 

[Saifa]

Actually, I found that performing vivisections and regular dissections on my spare time gradually took away the shakiness in my hands.

get help

 

[fukuyou]

Go swimming in an indoor pool. If you haven't passed out within seconds of walking into the pool area, you'll eventually get used to it.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Medical advice is not allowed on SDN. Nor is posting the same thing in multiple places. Closing.