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Fragrance Sensitivity Symptoms

Fragrance is present in many common personal care and household products, including perfumes, shampoos and cleansers, detergents and deodorizers.This creates a problem for individuals who are sensitive or allergic to certain fragrances, often causing skin reactions, sneezing, breathing difficulties and headaches. While fragrances cannot always be avoided, sensitivities are able to be managed more easily once sufferers become familiar with the symptoms and triggers.

  1. Skin Symptoms

    • The skin is most commonly affected by fragrances used in products, such as cleansers, lotions and household cleaners. Reactions include itching, rash or hives and even blistering of the skin during a severe reaction. The eyes sometimes also become watery or swollen. A reaction sometimes occurs after the first use of a product, or develops through long-term use.

    Respiratory Symptoms

    • Fragrance sensitivity triggers a number of respiratory symptoms. These include the traditional "allergic reaction" symptoms of sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion. More severe reactions include breathing difficulty and asthmatic reactions, such as wheezing.

    Headaches

    • Headaches are another common fragrance sensitivity symptom. Any fragrance is able to trigger a headache in a sensitive individual, but headaches usually result from exposure to a concentrated dose of fragrance, such as a co-worker's perfume in a close space, or a fragrance insert in a magazine.

    Managing Symptoms

    • Avoidance is the best treatment for fragrance sensitivity symptoms, but it is not always possible. If the problem is a co-worker's fragrance, options include courteously explaining the situation to the co-worker and asking her to tone down the fragrance. Ask the employer to educate employees on fragrance sensitivity. If suffering from a number of fragrance sensitivities, it is helpful to telecommute a few days a week, if possible; communicate primarily by phone or email while in the office; position desks away from common areas where several fragrances converge; or try an air purifier or portable fan. Doctors or allergy specialists sometimes recommend medication or other treatments for symptoms.

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