Allergy Resource Center

Allergy to fragrance is a problem that affects more than 2 million people. That number continues to rise because we are exposed to so many different fragrances on a daily basis.

We encounter fragrance everywhere; in personal care products, laundry products, home cleaning products, as well as candles and air fresheners. There are more that 5,000 different fragrances used by manufacturers today, and the combinations derived from those fragrances are too numerous to count.

In addition to skin reactions, respiratory problems sometimes occur. An asthma attack can be triggered by the chemicals in perfume. When someone is sensitive to the chemicals, either as an irritant or an allergen, the bronchial tubes swell causing a restriction in breathing.

Although an asthma reaction can occur immediately after contact with the irritant or allergen, skin reactions can take several days to develop, sometimes as many as seven to ten days. Usually the reaction time is more rapid after the initial outbreak of a contact dermatitis.

Allergy Symptoms

• Hives, itching, and rashes: redness, swelling, and irritation of the skin
• Contact dermatitis: localized skin rash caused by direct contact with a chemical
• Eczema: itchy red areas on the skin that are dry and flaky
• Headache: including migraine and cluster headaches
• Inability to concentrate: feeling of sleepiness and brain fog
• Dizziness: vertigo and feeling faint
• Weakness: heaviness of limbs and lethargy
• Nausea: can lead to vomiting, especially in the presence of headache
• Watery eyes: clear discharge, sometimes accompanied by itching or burning
• Runny nose and congestion: sudden stuffy nose or steady, clear drip
• Sneezing: rapid in onset and ongoing as long as exposure continues
• Coughing: dry, irritated cough with feeling of throat constriction
• Wheezing and difficulty breathing: can lead to an asthma attack

Other Types of Allergies

Besides fragrance, there are numerous other substances that can trigger allergy symptoms. Some of them include:

• Food Allergies--Several foods cause sensitivity in certain people: eggs, wheat, peanuts (and other nuts), and corn are especially likely culprits
• Pollen & Mold--Reaction to environmental factors is common, and is often seasonal; pollens in the spring and mold in the fall
• Dust Mites--Microscopic parasites that feed on dead skin cells shed by humans can cause allergy symptoms
• Animal Dander--The hair and skin cells shed by pets cause mild to severe irritation in many people
• Insect Stings--Reaction to a sting can range from mild swelling at the site to anaphylactic shock, a serious emergency in which swelling of the trachea constricts breathing
• Latex Allergy--Sensitivity to the material in latex gloves and medical equipment, usually presenting as a skin reaction
• Drug & Medication Allergies--Sensitivity to ingredients in medicines can cause any of the typical allergy symptoms from skin reactions to respiratory problems

Colds vs. Allergies

The upper respiratory symptoms associated with an allergic reaction are usually sudden in onset. Symptoms of runny nose, cough, and congestion that develop over a longer period are more likely caused by a virus. Colds are finite in duration; the symptoms may become more severe for a short time, but gradually fade away. Allergy symptoms are chronic; when you have a dripping nose or itching eyes for weeks on end, suspect an allergy.

Tips to Avoid Allergic Reactions

Your doctor can do a skin patch test to help determine the specific things that trigger an allergic reaction. A patch test is conducted by placing a small concentrated amount of a suspected chemical on or just under the surface of the skin. If redness and swelling develops, the test is positive and the chemical is identified as an allergen.

When you have identified a particular product that causes an allergic reaction, you can take steps to avoid the fragrance, especially if it is a personal care product, but that isn't always possible: everywhere we go we encounter aromas and odors that may cause a reaction.