Years ago, I remember wondering how in the world people could have an allergy to fragrances. (Foolish perspective, right?) At the time, I enjoyed being heavily scented – with perfumes, scented lotions, hairsprays, and odors from fabric softeners and laundry detergents.
Then I learned about dangers in fragrances and stopped using perfumes and scented lotions. I even switched to unscented laundry detergents – and then I started noticing scents in a major way. If your nose and respiratory system isn’t used to smelling fragrances all day long, you can really smell it on someone else. Especially if he or she is a little heavy handed in the cologne department. At certain public events, Prince Charming and I have changed seats because a neighboring guest’s overpowering scents have caused us to sneeze, cough and gag.
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Allergic to fragrances?
A consumers watchdog group Women’s Voices of the Earth recently released a report detailing allergic reactions to fragrances.
Two to eleven percent of Americans (tens of millions) have developed fragrance sensitivities. Common complaints include:
- Airway irritation;
- Exacerbation of asthma;
- Blistering or bumpy skin;
- Contact dermatitis;
- Coughing;
- Eczema;
- Headaches;
- Irritation in the nose, including runny or stuffed nose;
- Itchiness;
- Shortness of breath;
- Tightness in chest;
- Wheezing;
At least 100 ingredients used in fragrances are known to cause fragrance contact allergy. Symptoms typically are painful, itchy skin.
Where is fragrance found?
According to the Women’s Voices of the Earth’s report:
- 98 percent of conditioners contain fragrance.
- 97 percent of hair styling products contain fragrance.
- 96 percent of shampoos contain fragrance.
- 95 percent of shaving products contain fragrance.
- 91 percent of anti-perspirants contain fragrance.
- 91 percent of lip moisturizers contain fragrance.
- 83 percent of moisturizers contain fragrance.
- 71 percent of lipsticks contain fragrance.
- 63 percent of sunblocks contain fragrance.
- 50 percent of foundations contain fragrance.
Woman, beware
Since women tend to use a majority of the scented products, it’s no wonder that women are two to three times more likely to experience fragrance allergies than men.
What’s next
Tomorrow I’ll share what’s potentially so bad about the mysterious term “fragrance” on ingredient labels.
Talk back
Have you developed a sensitivity to fragrances? If so, how have you dealt with it?
Planning to shop on Amazon.com
Today, I’m linking up with:
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I began learning about this issue when I made friends with a woman who had just learned that her severe migraines were triggered by exposure to fragrances–and that her employer would not make a “no fragrances may be worn in the office” policy, so she was going to have to quit her job and start a home business. I was horrified to learn that manufacturers are allowed to include just about anything, no matter how toxic, in “fragrances” because their ingredients are trade secrets!
I quit using artificially scented products because of my friend but also because I was moving toward more natural products for environmental and health reasons. Lots of products scented with natural plant extracts smell lovely and won’t harm anyone. However, I’ve also learned that using more natural stuff and eating a healthier diet has made my natural smell more pleasant so that it doesn’t need to be covered with fragrances!