According to a study published in 2019, almost a quarter of adults aged 18–65 experience irritation when they come into contact with certain chemicals that can be found in scented products, from perfumes and air fresheners to candles, soaps and detergents. This sensitivity to smells is known as a fragrance allergy. The reaction can be quite strong for some, with the main symptoms ranging from sneezing, coughing and a stuffy or runny nose to respiratory issues and severe migraines. People with asthma are also more likely to experience a sensitivity to fragrances. But what causes this irritating condition, and how can it be treated?
What is fragrance allergy?
Fragrance allergy, where scents cause allergy-like symptoms, is often called perfume allergy – or more accurately fragrance sensitivity, as fragrances don’t really cause allergies; unlike with pet allergies or hay fever, the body doesn’t produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) in response to scented products. IgE is an antibody that is released by the immune system as part of an allergic reaction when it detects the presence of an allergen like pollen, pet dander or dust mites, so it is a signifier of an allergic reaction. However, although a scent sensitivity isn’t technically an allergy, people who have it often experience many of the same symptoms, including coughing, sneezing and a runny nose. A so-called fragrance allergy is actually caused by irritants, not allergens, although in rare cases the chemical ingredients in some perfumes can cause an allergic reaction.
What causes fragrance sensitivity?
Despite the name, a fragrance allergy isn’t technically an allergic reaction. In fact, it’s caused by direct irritation to the airways from chemicals found in fragranced products, so it’s actually a chemical sensitivity; the particular chemicals or fragrances that cause someone to react can vary. It can be hard to know what’s causing the issue as due to trade secret laws, many of the chemicals used to fragrance products are unlisted, or simply labeled as “fragrance”, even though as many as several hundred can be used in a single product. People with existing conditions like asthma, allergies, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) or migraines are more likely to experience the unpleasant symptoms that come with fragrance sensitivity.
So, what causes scent sensitivity? Some of the most common fragranced products that can lead to an allergy-like response in people who are sensitive to smells are:
- Perfumes
- Deodorants
- Scented candles
- Soaps, shampoos and hair products
- Laundry detergents
- Cleaning products
- Scented tissues
- Cosmetic and skincare products
- Lotions
- Powders
- Air fresheners
- Cigarette smoke
- Pesticides
What are the symptoms of fragrance allergy?
Depending on the individual’s response to the particular irritants in a product, fragrance sensitivity can give rise to a range of allergy-like experiences. These can include cold-like symptoms like sneezing, coughing and a stuffy or runny nose and problems such as migraines or respiratory issues.
The main symptoms experienced by people with fragrance sensitivity are:
- Sneezing or coughing
- Stuffed, runny or itchy nose
- Postnasal drip
- A burning sensation in the nasal passages
- Itchy, watery or irritated eyes
- Migraines or headaches
- Respiratory problems
- Asthma symptoms worsening
- Skin irritation or rashes
- Nausea or dizziness
- Anxiety or aversion to strong smells
In extreme cases, you may experience some of the following more severe symptoms – if you do, seek medical attention:
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Exhaustion or drowsiness
- Confusion or disorientation
- Tightness or pain in the chest
- Heart palpitations
- Fainting
- Swollen mouth, lips or tongue
- Boils or hives
- Vomiting
- Fever
How can a fragrance allergy be treated?
Depending on your perfume allergy symptoms and what causes them, various measures can reduce your discomfort, from trying allergy medications, creams and nasal sprays to using an air purifier for smells – and where possible, switching to less harmful products or avoiding fragranced options entirely.
Because particular fragrances or ingredients in scented products may affect people with this sensitivity differently, if you’re sensitive to smells your first step may be to do some investigation in order to identify which chemical or chemicals are causing you harm, as avoiding them as much as possible will always be the most effective method of treatment. Beyond this, you can try some of the following fragrance allergy remedies:
- Buying fragrance-free versions of the products in the list above and switching to more natural cleaning products such as vinegar or baking soda.
- Letting people know that you have a scent sensitivity and asking them to use less perfume and scented products around you.
- Asking your doctor about drugs that can help, which may include some antihistamines, pain relievers, decongestants or steroidal nasal sprays.
- Using a corticosteroid cream like hydrocortisone, a fragrance-free moisturizer or an oatmeal bath, which may provide some relief if you experience skin sensitivity.
- Using an air purifier
- to avoid contact with the damaging substances found in fragranced products.
Can an air purifier help with fragrance sensitivity?
Fragrance allergy’s unpleasant symptoms arise from inhaling certain chemicals from scented products, so removing these particles from the air is a good way to avoid them. An air purifier with an activated carbon filter traps these harmful airborne particles, enabling the user to breathe comfortably. Air purifiers with only a HEPA filter will not alleviate fragrance sensitivities, as HEPA filters do not capture all odor-causing particles or airborne chemical compounds, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – that’s why a purifier that also has an activated carbon filter is necessary. VOCs are fine airborne particles that are often used in fragranced or scented products because they evaporate easily, and some of them can have negative health and environmental effects.
When it comes to air purifiers for indoor use, there are a few kinds to choose from if you’re looking to control or avoid strong smells. While stationary air purifiers are often used to purify the air in larger spaces, smaller portable air purifiers can be moved around as required. However, both of these solutions have their limitations – for example, stationary purifiers must be turned on at all times to keep the air in a room clean and are not very energy efficient, while portable air purifiers are less effective and still not 100% convenient. Therefore, using a wearable air purifier for smells, like Respiray Wear A+, is both more effective and easier than either of these options, making it the best air purifier for odors.
Respiray is launching Wear A+ with an Activated Carbon HEPA filter
At Respiray, we’re thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of Wear A+ with our new Activated Carbon HEPA filter. This filter combines our powerful H12 HEPA filter technology with the added benefits of an activated carbon filter to capture fragrances and harmful particles including VOCs from scented products, in addition to the allergens and other harmful particles that Wear A+ removes from the air you breathe.
Our Wear A+ with an Activated Carbon HEPA filter has successfully completed beta testing and the feedback from our customers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting instant relief. For fragrance sensitivity, we recommend using Wear A+ on the highest airflow setting.
How does Respiray Wear A+ work? The device draws in air through its powerful filtration system, capturing harmful and irritating particles. This process removes them from the air to create a “cloud” of clean air around the user’s nose and mouth, preventing any unfiltered air from reaching the user’s airways. Therefore, it helps people with allergies avoid allergic reactions. With our new Activated Carbon HEPA filter, Respiray Wear A+ is an effective way to manage fragrance allergies and scent sensitivity too.
Interested in trying out Respiray’s wearable air purifier for fragrance allergies?
To stay updated on the launch of our wearable air purifier for fragrance sensitivities, join our mailing list and be the first to know when you can grab the new Wear A+ with Activated Carbon+HEPA filter at a special launch price, available for a limited time only!
