Can You be Allergic to Fragrances?
Allergies to perfumes, colognes, and the fragrances used in everything from room deodorizers to fabric softeners to soaps are widespread. Studies have shown that about 30% of the United States population has sensitives to various fragrances and perfumes.
So, what do you do if this is a problem for you? Continue reading to find all the necessary information you need to enjoy your life as symptom-free as possible.
Why am I sensitive to Fragrances?
When you have allergy symptoms to a fragrance or perfume, your body’s immune system triggers a reaction to the specific chemicals that create the actual fragrance. In other words, your body overreacts to a particular ingredient because it senses an unknown foreign substance and wants to protect you. Your body’s protection system releases histamines, white blood cells, and other internal substances to fight off what it believes is dangerous.
Some medical professionals believe that allergies to fragrances as well as multiple chemical sensitivities is a psychological manifestation and not a true medical condition. Fortunately, Johns Hopkins University believes that chemicals in perfumes, fragrances, carpets, plastics, etc. can in fact trigger allergic reactions from simple runny noses to life-threatening anaphylaxis in rare cases.
What Symptoms Should I Look Out For?
Respiratory Symptoms of Fragrance Allergies or Sensitivities
- Headache
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Itchy or runny nose
- Postnasal drip
- Breathing difficulties
- Nausea
Other Symptoms and Reactions to Fragrances
- Patchy, reddish skin
- Itchy rash
- Itchy eyes
- Itchy throat
- Dry or scaly skin
- A burning sensation on your skin
- Blisters
- Hives
- Asthma
- Anaphylaxis in severe cases
How to cope with allergies or sensitivities to fragrances
The first suggestion a medical doctor recommends is to avoid the offending fragrance. If you know you are sensitive to something, don’t buy it again and try to stay away from people who use or wear the fragrance. That is easier said than done. Whether you are at work, in your car, cleaning your house, washing your clothes, visiting friends, or shopping, you are exposed to fragrances, chemicals, and smells that are out of our control to avoid. Also, the fragrance industry is largely self-regulated. In other words, there are few federal regulations protecting consumers from fragrance toxicity.
Below is an Infographic from https://www.womensvoices.org/avoid-toxic-chemicals/fragrance/. This Infographic shows just how overwhelmed we are today with fragrances hidden in so many everyday products.
Here are some of the top recommendations to help you deal with your allergies and sensitivities to fragrances.
Stop using room deodorizers. The chemicals in room deodorizers, including the cute plug-in kind or the all-natural carpet powders, are loaded with allergenic chemicals.
Avoid congested areas. This is almost impossible if you want to live in our society. Wearing a mask when you will be in close quarters with people is still the best way to protect yourself.
Let people you see every day know about your allergies. Whether it is your co-workers or your family or friends, let them know about your fragrance allergies. Hopefully, many will be understanding and try to accommodate to your needs as best they can.
Get an air purifier for your home and office space. One of the best ways to clear air space around you is with an air purifier. Put one in the areas you spend the most time in.
See a holistic allergist for natural, non-invasive treatments for fragrance allergies. If you want to enjoy your life symptom-free of annoying allergies and sensitivities, make an appointment to see a holistic allergist who specializes in treatments with no shots, no pills, no pain, and no avoidance.
How St. Louis Allergy Relief can help
If you suffer from allergies of any kind, and you have been unsuccessful with other allergy treatments or medications, and are looking for something different, St. Louis Allergy Relief Center treats allergies holistically without the use of shots, pills or avoidance. We specialize in holistic, natural allergy treatments using the Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) protocol. Our treatments are effective, safe, and gentle enough for everyone from infants to seniors. We provide you with a detailed treatment plan after completing comprehensive testing and assessment to determine the environmental, stimuli, chemical, and food stressors that may be triggering allergies or allergy-like symptoms. Visit our website https://stlouisallergyrelief.com/ to learn more or call us at 314-384-9304.
Sources:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/multiple-chemical-sensitivity
https://ecologyworks.com/blogs/blog/sensitive-to-fragrance-you-re-not-alone
https://www.womensvoices.org/avoid-toxic-chemicals/fragrance/