Have you ever wondered why perfume causes allergy? Everyone enjoys wearing perfume. Whether it is a man or a woman, wearing perfume can make them feel better about themselves. Perfumes can really contribute to your mood and your self-confidence. Perfume allergy occurs when your immune system reacts abnormally to the ingredients present in the perfume. These agents may cause you to have respiratory discomfort among many other side effects.
Allergens in Perfumes
Components found in perfumes and colognes that causes allergic reactions:
| Allergic Component | Potential Symptoms | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Redness, Itching, Dryness | Sensitivity to alcohols used in perfumes cause skin reactions. |
| Synthetic fragrances | Rashes, Hives, Itching | Artificial scents are allergens or irritants for few. |
| Essential oils | Rashes, Redness, Itching, Breathing difficulty | Few essential oils are allergens for few but is rare. |
| Preservatives | Rashes, Itching, Dryness | Preservatives causes skin reactions in people with sensitive skin. |
| Benzyl Salicylate | Rashes, Itching, Redness | Is an allergen. |
| Colorants or Dyes | Rashes, Hives | Added for aesthetic reasons. |
Symptoms of Perfume Allergy
The first few symptoms of perfume allergy are rashes on the site of perfume contact. You may have slight breathing discomfort including shortness of breath. The smell of the perfume may cause nausea and vomiting along with tingling on your skin and pain in the muscles. In rare cases, there may be joint pain due to the perfume. Though this is not common, studies have shown that 1% of the population suffers from allergies due to the allergens from perfume.
These allergies could be very severe and may trigger a very severe allergic reaction. Even more rarely, the allergens may cause an anaphylactic shock, which could be life threatening. While most people have allergies to the perfume that they wear, there are others who can get allergic to perfumes that other people may be wearing.
Perfume Allergy Classification
There are three different types of allergies that may be caused by perfumes. The first one is when there is a direct contact with the allergens present in perfumes, the second is when the perfume allergens in the air cause the allergies and the third is when airborne particles of the perfume cause the allergies. If there are skin lesions in your armpits, this could be an indication of perfume allergies.
If you have been experiencing these suddenly, it may be a good idea to stop using the perfume or deodorant you have been using. For the second and third type of allergies, the contact with the allergen is purely situational. Getting away from the source of the allergen is the only way to avoid getting an allergic reaction.
Treatment for Perfume Allergy
The easiest way to treat perfume allergy is to avoid the allergen. If you experience even the slightest of sensations from the perfume, you should immediately make a visit to your doctor. Continuous exposure to the allergen can cause the allergy to become more severe. If you are able to take adequate precautions, you can completely prevent the allergy from occurring. Your doctor will give you an allergy patch test to check which allergens are causing your symptoms.
Once the allergen has been identified, further treatment can be sought. If you know which fragrances bother you, you should avoid using these. Read labels for all cosmetics before you buy them. Use products which are fragrance free so that you do not have to endure the pain and the discomfort of the allergies.
By now you would know reasons behind perfumes causing allergies. Like any other allergic reaction, perfume allergy is also caused when your body’s immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance.
