Headache? Stuffy chest or skin rash after applying a spritz of your perfume? Well, you might be sensitive or “allergic” to fragrance.
Photo via Beauty Insider Singapore
Did you know… as many as 30% of people surveyed in a study from the University of West Georgia said they find scented products irritating? Those with asthma or chemical sensitivities may find strong scents particularly problematic due to the allergy-like symptoms they cause.
Very different from tree pollen or dander, perfumes and scents aren’t actually allergens, but instead, they’re irritants. But that doesn’t mean they can’t trigger allergy symptoms like sneezing.
According to Everyday Health, a true allergen causes a person’s immune system to release chemicals to fight the invader, while an irritant doesn’t provoke the immune system but it has no problem making eyes water or noses run.
What people call a “perfume allergy” is either fragrance sensitivity or an allergy to some chemical in the perfume.
Symptoms of fragrance sensitivity can include…
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Headaches
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Difficulty breathing
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Wheezing
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A tight feeling in the chest
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Worsening asthma symptom
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Runny and stuffy nose
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Sneezing
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A skin allergy, an itchy, red rash that appears on the skin
How to prevent fragrance sensitivities?
The best prevention really is to just keep all fragrances off yourself and out of your environment. This includes lotions, soaps, skin care products, laundry detergents, fabric softeners and so on…
Try opting for a fragrance-free option - or you can give all natural products a try!
Of course, there’s no rule about what you can and can’t use. But rather than risking of having allergy symptoms from your fragrance sensitivity, it’s best to avoid all products containing fragrance!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
