Imagine suddenly you catch a whiff of someone’s perfume or cologne. Within minutes your eyes begin to water, you start to sneeze, it’s difficult to take a deep breath, your head starts to pound. This is what some people experience due to fragrance sensitivity. Fragrance sensitivity is a condition that millions of people live with every day. Fragrances and body products contain a great deal of undisclosed and potentially harmful chemicals that could cause specific physical reactions in some people.
Symptoms of Fragrance Sensitivity can vary based on the type of sensitivity one possesses and can vary from person to person. Some symptoms can include (Serras, 2019):
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Skin redness
• Skin itching and burning
• Watery, itchy and red eyes
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Breathing difficulties
• Chest tightness
• Worsening of asthma symptoms
Fragrances are everywhere in our lives. There are certain smells that often bring back many wonderful memories for us. However, the term fragrance can also end up being a buzzword for a very complicated chemical construction.
Home air freshener fragrances often contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) including formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, limonene, esters and alcohols. Many of these substances could be a trigger for your asthma. One aspect that may make your asthma more difficult to control or discover a potential trigger is that the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates fragrance products, does not require manufacturers to disclose ingredients.
One study found more than 133 VOCs in 25 different compounds. Of these 24 of the VOCs were considered hazardous or toxic and only one was listed on the label. Each product contained at least one VOC. Interestingly, 11 of the products were labeled as green and each contained at least 2 VOCs. While studies in mice exposed to VOCs have shown airflow limitations that make researchers concerned that fragrances might cause bronchoconstriction and decreases in FEV1, respiratory studies in humans have rarely been performed related to fragrances (Pat Bass, 2015).
Sharing the air-personal fragrances affect some individuals the same way cigarette smoke affects some people (De Vader, 2009). "Being forced to breathe in others' fragrance choices is a lot like being forced to breathe in secondhand smoke" says psychologist Dr Pamela Dalton, from Fragrance Allergies: A sensory Assault.
If you use scented products, what you think is a light fragrance can be overpowering to people with fragrance sensitivities. People may not even detect their own fragrance if they use it consistently. Awareness of fragrance sensitivity can go a long way in creating a pleasant and healthy work and learning environment.
Here are some things to consider:
• Fragranced personal products can cause medical distress in some people with allergies, asthma, and migraines.
• Consider ways to reduce the strength and number of scented products you wear to work.
• Ask others if your fragrance can be detected an arm’s length away.
• A two-foot radius is considered one’s personal zone. Fragrance should not be detected outside your personal zone.
• Your personal zone is greatly reduced in meetings, automobiles and other small enclosed spaces-be aware of how this can impact others.
Some websites with additional information:
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/fragrance-allergies-a-sensory-assault#1
https://returntonow.net/2018/06/17/fragrance-is-the-new-secondhand-smoke/
https://alisonjohnsonmcs.wordpress.com/2018/12/18/a-fascinating-longer-interview-with-jon-whelan-about-fragranced-products/
https://www.health.com/condition/allergy/fragrance-sensitivity-health-effects