Allergies to perfumes, anybody?

It is very difficult for me to be around people indoors, due to reactions to perfumes. It is embarrasing when the person tells me they don't have perfume on.  Thus it could be in the lotion they have on. Does anybody have this problem? What do you do to keep it under control?

I have changed my diet to include more vegetables. Gone to chiropractor, homoeopathic, acupuncturist, MD, Allergist, Pulmonary specialist.  Symptoms start as pain under an ear and then to my neck, then to my back, and sometimes my whole right side cramps up. At worst I start heaving. Symptoms sometimes similar to asthma but my blood gases are not affected. Now use QVar steroid inhaler 3x a day. For symptoms take Co Q10, sinus medication and over counter migraine medication. The migraine medication is aggravating my stomach thus will only take it for a week.  Daily take NAC, L-Tyrosine, L-Lysine, Lung essentials, and Enzymes 3x a day.

[ChitChatNine]

Hi,

My daughter gets migraines from certain scents .. started in homeroom class when she isolated which brand it is .. we "think" from doing reading online, etc. that it's certain ingredients in the perfume that they aren't required to list .. similar to cigarette smoke -- certain brands in a room worse than others from the sulfites most likely.

Maybe  it's their deoderant or powders?

So sorry to hear this

Welcome!

C~

[HildeIII]

So how do you deal with it?

[bluebutterfly2222]

Allergies to perfumes and all types of scented products are very common! Coming across such products unexpectedly can cause a serious or even fatal asthma attack. For this reason, it is even illegal to send scented inserts through the mail, unless they are completely sealed.

Avoidance is the best strategy, but easier said then done. My medical office has signs indicating that it is a scent-free zone and instructing patients never to wear any scented products to their appointments, plus we provide flyers explaining how dangerous these products can be for people with asthma, allergies and multi-chemical sensitivity, but many people still selfishly ignore all of this "because they don't go anywhere without their perfume."  

We have finally begun to protect people from tobacco smoke in stores, restaurants, and workplaces, but I'm afraid it will be a long time, if ever, before the same consideration is given to people who suffer from the chemicals in scented products.

The best suffers can do, therefore, is be sure to have available medications to prevent and/or treat reactions to these substances.

Best wishes...

[HildeIII]

bluebutterfly2222 nothing prevents me from having attaches at times.  I am looking for more remedies. That is why I posted this. Fortunately I don't have asthma.  But the reactions cause to me breath as if I am hyperventilating and it is very painful.

I am going to school in medical field, medical assisting program and it is getting worse. A vast amount smoke near the entrances. Also some put aroma oils on as perfumes.  

Doesn't anyone have any other remedies?

[bluebutterfly2222]

I know, it's awful!  I really feel for you, and I'm sorry I didn't have any remedies to offer. I've seen medical items stating that those who take have higher levels of Vit D and consume fish oils are less reactive to their allergins, but I don't have a reference for that.

I have to leave some meetings and continuing education workshops if I can't find a way to get far away from those soaked with perfume and aftershave. My partner took early retirement from his good state job, because the secretary, whose desk was in the same room, made fun of his complaints about her perfume by spraying it into the air while he was out to lunch! After SHE complained about HIM,  he was forced to see an EAP counselor, who sided with him and made them create a separate office for him, but by then he'd had it with all the conflict and lack of support from the management.

Our problem even made "Dear Abby" yesterday:

"DEAR ABBY: I have a delicate problem. My boss’s wife wears a very strong perfume. Every time she walks into the office, I get a headache and feel nause­ated for hours. I am allergic to perfume, and women do not seem to understand that while they “think” they smell good, they are really making me sick.

When the boss’s wife comes in, I try to stay in my office, but the smell is so overpower­ing I can’t escape. How should I handle this? — HOLDING MY BREATH IN TALLADEGA, ALA.

DEAR HOLDING: For the sake of your health, you must speak to your employer and explain your sensitivity to perfumes and the effect they have on you. You are far from alone in this prob­lem — many others also have allergic reactions when exposed to perfumes, after-shave or scented products of any kind.

Ask your boss to please ask his wife to forgo the perfume when she visits the office because it gives you a headache and an upset stomach. How else will he—or she—
know there’s a problem?"

We all know the chance of that working, right? :-(

Again, best wishes--you'll need them!
bb

[HildeIII]

bluebutterfly2222 thank you for your reply.  In the beginning I thought you were just another that thinks just avoiding perfumes is the solution, which is impossible.

Last night watched a video Dr. Gloria Gilbere.  Due to medication for injury she developed chemical sensitivity that would cause her throat to close up.  She discussed that sensitivity is due to build up of toxins.  She cured herself by eliminating anything unnatural in her house. For example pillows and VCO free paint. Also no electronic devices in her house, for the electronic field disrupts the immune system. This is expensive to do, though.  She has a book called I Was Poisoned By My Body.  Seems to be cheapest at Swansons vitamins.  I feel she charges to much for the book.

I put quarters under my TV and behind my cell phone to ground the electric field. Under the microwave I have 2 dimes. People whom have found out about this think I am weird. Doing this I found eliminates dizziness I get around the electronic devises in my house. Now I can say that I heard about this from someone whom has cured chemical sensitivities. One thing I am going to do is move my computer out of my bedroom.

[bluebutterfly2222]

I'm glad you've found a few thingsa that seem to help.

If I see the info about fish oil and Vit D again I'll add a post to your thread. On a personal note, I added wild-caught salmon to my diet, twice a week, about a year ago and a half ago. for an unrelated reason.  Only after I saw the item about it in regard to allergies, did I reflect back that I hadn't had any signifcant breathing problems in the past year or so, even after being in a closed room with a patient reeking of aftershave, or during the current high-pollen season. But of course this doesn't prove a causal relationship--it could just be a coincidence.

All the best to you,
bb

[HildeIII]

Possibly because fish contains iodine it helped you.  I did feel a bit energized when I ate some shrimp. I was dipping it in ketchup, which probably has MSG in it.  

I had read the beef is not good for immune problems.

Also after listening Dr. Gloria Gilbere decided to not use usual soaps or antiperspirant. I am going to get castiles soap with eucalyptus.

[bluebutterfly2222]

Actually, I think it is the Vit D in the salmon. I found the one article, which was from The YOU docs (they have an online med. site as well as a syndicated newspaper column)and it recommended getting adequate Vit. D  to "keep your breathing apparatus healthy" because this vitamin may be able to "put out the fire of inflammation that leads to chronic lung disease."  

Another column reported research that people who got the most B vitamin folate  had a 31% lower risk of allergy symptoms like watery eyes, runny nose and eczema, and a 40%lower risk of wheezing. (But it should  come from naturally folate-filled foods, NOT supplements, because too much of it from them is likely to make allergies worse, a well as having other detrimental health effects.)

This information may not be of benefit to you, Hildell, because I realize you have a different allergy symptom complex, but I wanted to include it to possibly help others who may come across this thread in a search.

[HildeIII]

What other info anybody has on dealing on allergies is welcomed.  For if I can't cure myself it is great if I can help others.

I allergic reactions are a bit different than most.  Seems they aggravate old neck and back injuries. One doctor suggest that the allergies may be causing lymph glands to swell up that cause damaged muscles to cramp up.

[cherri7]

perfumes make me sneeze and cough allot.i also get migraines.other scented products like refresheners bothers me.after readiing these posts i didn't know that it was serious .I thought that my nose was just sensitive and i didn't know that people call it an allergy.........

[HildeIII]

I don't believe it is a true allergy. I believe it is actually a developed chemical sensitivity problem.

[16tumors]

Just thought I would weigh in in the perfume/MCS issue...Ihave had many surgeries, procedures, tumor issues, tx's, ect, but dealing with the sensitivity to scents is BY FAR the most difficult thing I deal with. Avoidance is best for me, but I'm afraid my physical problem will turn into something mental if I have to isolate myself continually! Not to say that I don't go out in public, but I find that I always have to 'recover'. When I am healthy overall, I can handle fragrances better. I also find that getting fresh air and a bit of food on my belly helps.