Perfume and Allergic Reactions

Walk into any department store, soap boutique, or even décor and jewelry stores and you're more than likely to be overwhelmed with the scents of perfume, deodorizer, aromatherapy candles or fragrant potpourri loading the shelves. These scents may be harmless to some, while to others they present a real health hazard; allergies and sensitivities to fragrances are a health concern faced by many.

Why Do So Many People React to Perfume?

There are two primary reasons that adults and children may react to scents: the chemical ingredients present in fragrances, and the toxicity levels and health of their own bodies.

Chemicals in Fragrances

The most common source of reactions to perfume, cologne, hairspray, hand soap, potpourri, and room deodorizers is the chemical contents.

Most scents and perfumes sold today contain little to no actual plant perfumes; instead, they are concoctions of esters and other fragrant molecules that have been synthesized in a laboratory. Synthetic fragrances are common allergens, as are the potentially carcinogenic preservatives and fixatives that are added to most commercial scents.

Toxicity and Sensitivity

A secondary reason that some people react to fragrances – even natural ones – may be toxicity levels in their bodies.

Those who consume a diet high in processed foods, who are overweight, or who are (or have been) frequently exposed to chemicals such as formaldehyde, paint fumes, pesticides, or industrial cleaning products may find that their threshold for perfumes and other scents is low – and that they react more frequently with headache, sinus, or breathing problems to all kinds of smells.

People experiencing health problems related to the liver, colon, skin or lungs may also have more intense reactions to scents.

Avoiding Toxic Aromas

It may seem obvious that one of the simplest ways to prevent allergic reactions to perfume is to avoid it, but this can be a real challenge.

A few tips for minimizing scent-related allergies:

• avoid shopping at times when supermarket aisles will be full of other customers
• don't be afraid to speak up and ask someone to give you more space if their perfume is offensive; most people are aware of allergies and are willing to accommodate them
• invitations to parties can be sent out with a note to avoid wearing hairspray, perfume or cologne
• many choirs and other community groups have a no-scent policy; if yours doesn't, try explaining the need to the group or a coordinator

Essential Oils vs. Perfume… What's the Difference?

The explosion of aromatherapy spas and scented products in stores has done little to help those with serious scent allergies. Most aromatherapy products contain a chemical soup of additives, synthetic fragrances, and preservatives that make even "natural" products suspect to those with real sensitivities.

There is a wide range in the quality of aromatherapy oils and products on the market today. Many are artificial junk, while some are the genuine product, offering real health benefits. When essential oils are truly pure and are processed without additives or solvents, even those with scent allergies and sensitivities are usually able to enjoy them without reactions.

Related Reading

• Chemicals in Personal Care Products
• The Real Quality of Essential Oils

Reference

DeVita, Sabina, Saving Face: The Scents-able Way to Wrinkle-Free Skin, Brampton, Ontario, Canada, 2002.

Essential Science Publishing (ESP), Essential Oils Desk Reference, 2nd Ed., ESP, USA, 2001.

Network News and Publications, "Rub A Dub, Dub… Is Cancer in Your Tub?" Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 1999.

Perfume spray presents a real allergy hazard...

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