Aromas And Skin: Can Scents Cause Rashes?

Aromas can cause rashes, and this is often due to fragrance sensitivity or fragrance allergy. Fragrance sensitivity is when your airways are irritated by ingredients or chemicals in natural or manufactured scents. Fragrance allergies, on the other hand, are allergic contact dermatitis to a fragrance chemical. Fragrance sensitivity does not involve a whole-body immune response, but fragrance allergies do. Symptoms of fragrance sensitivity include sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, nausea, dizziness, and skin redness. Symptoms of fragrance allergies include itching, rashes, sneezing, coughing, and a stuffy or runny nose.

Fragrance sensitivity vs. allergy

Fragrances can trigger a range of symptoms, from headaches and nausea to difficulty breathing. While some people have a fragrance allergy, others have a fragrance sensitivity. So, what's the difference?

Fragrance Allergy

A fragrance allergy is an allergic contact dermatitis to a fragrance chemical. In simple terms, a true allergen causes a person's immune system to release chemicals to fight the invader. An allergen is a protein that causes an IgE-mediated reaction. IgE, or immunoglobulin E, is an antibody produced by the body in response to exposure to an allergen.

Fragrance Sensitivity

Fragrance sensitivity, on the other hand, is when your airways are irritated by ingredients or chemicals in natural or manufactured scents. Fragrance sensitivity does not involve a whole-body immune response and IgE is not involved. Instead, it suggests that some component of the fragrance is irritating to your airways and eyes.

Symptoms

Symptoms of fragrance sensitivity can include sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, a tight feeling in the chest, worsening asthma symptoms, and a skin allergy like contact dermatitis—an itchy, red rash that appears on the skin.

Prevention and Treatment

The best way to manage fragrance sensitivity is to avoid offending fragrances. This can be done by buying unscented soaps and lotions, using natural cleaning products like baking soda or white vinegar, and asking friends, family, and colleagues to avoid wearing or using heavily fragranced products. Nasal antihistamine and nasal corticosteroid medications can also help control allergy symptoms caused by fragrance sensitivities.

Symptoms of a fragrance allergy

A fragrance allergy is an allergic contact dermatitis to a fragrance chemical. Fragrances are not limited to perfumes and cosmetics but are also found in personal and household products, as well as in food and drinks.

The symptoms of a fragrance allergy can vary depending on the individual. Some people may experience respiratory symptoms, while others may have skin-related issues.

Respiratory symptoms can include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Itchy nose
• Headaches
• Difficulty breathing
• Tightness in the chest
• Worsening of asthma symptoms

Skin-related symptoms can include:

• Skin rash
• Redness
• Itchiness
• Blistering
• Swelling
• Dry, scaly patches
• Burning and stinging sensations

In some cases, fragrance allergies can also cause eye-related symptoms such as extreme redness, irritation, tearing, and burning.

It is important to note that the severity of symptoms can vary, and not everyone will experience all of the mentioned symptoms. If you suspect you have a fragrance allergy, it is best to consult a healthcare professional for advice and guidance.

Treatment for fragrance allergies

Fragrance sensitivity is a common issue, with up to one-third of adults dealing with some type of fragrance sensitivity. Symptoms can include trouble breathing, headaches, skin irritation, and rashes.

• Avoid synthetic scents: Get rid of synthetic fragrances from your home, car, and office. This includes candles, cleaning supplies, and toiletries/personal care products.
• Use natural cleaners: Try simple solutions such as vinegar and baking soda to clean and wipe down your kitchen and bathroom.
• Upgrade your beauty products: Swap fragranced skin, hair, and beauty products for fragrance-free options. Consider making your own products using natural ingredients such as coconut oil, sugar, and aloe vera.
• Speak up about your sensitivity: Discuss your sensitivity with your co-workers or HR department. Ask them to reduce the use of fragrances in the workplace, or suggest moving your workspace away from the source of the fragrance.
• Keep windows open: Improve ventilation when you're indoors to reduce the concentration of fragrances in the air.
• Be cautious when shopping: Only shop in stores that don't use candles and perfumes, and be wary of trying on fragranced clothing.
• Wear a face mask: When you can't avoid places with strong fragrances, wear a face mask to reduce your inhalation of the irritating compounds.
• Medicines: Oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or loratadine (Claritin) can help with itching and stuffiness. Topical corticosteroid creams can be applied to itchy areas or rashes.
• Oatmeal bath: Taking an oatmeal bath can help soothe itching and inflammation. You can also make an oatmeal compress by putting oatmeal soaked in cold water into a thin material like pantyhose.
• Gentle moisturizing lotion: Use a lotion that doesn't contain artificial ingredients or chemicals that might trigger a reaction.
• Light therapy: Try blue or red light therapy to help eliminate any bacteria irritating your skin or to reduce the immune system response.
• Contact allergen testing: Consult a doctor or allergist to identify your specific allergic triggers through patch tests.

Preventing fragrance allergies

A fragrance allergy is an allergic contact dermatitis to a fragrance chemical. Fragrances and perfumes can be made from natural extracts or be synthesised. Fragrance allergies are common and affect around 1% of adults and 1.8% of children and adolescents.

To prevent fragrance allergies, here are some steps you can take:

• Avoid fragrances: This is easier said than done, but there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your exposure. Avoid common areas where people wearing perfume may walk by and trigger your allergies. Keep a small air purifier near your workspace to help keep your air free of airborne proteins that can trigger symptoms.
• Tell people about your allergies: Let the people around you know about your allergies, so they can avoid wearing perfume around you. This may be tricky at work, but you can always be polite and ask if they could refrain from wearing strong perfumes or colognes.
• Avoid scented products: Don't use any scented products at all to minimise your exposure to allergy or sensitivity triggers. This includes candles and air fresheners.
• Choose fragrance-free products: Opt for fragrance-free products, but keep in mind that some products labelled \"natural fragrance\" may still contain chemicals that trigger a reaction.
• Make your own cleaning products: You can make your own cleaning products with ingredients like baking soda or white vinegar to avoid strong scents.
• Take medication: Ask your doctor about medication to control symptoms. Some people find relief from decongestants or steroid nasal sprays.
• Get tested: Consider getting contact allergen testing. Your doctor or an allergist can use patch tests that expose you to small amounts of different allergens to determine your specific triggers.
• Choose natural, plant-based perfumes: If you still want to wear perfume, choose natural, plant-based perfumes to achieve a similar scent but avoid the allergy-causing substances.
• Choose perfumes with minimal ingredients: Selecting perfumes with minimal ingredients can reduce the chance of an allergic or sensitivity reaction.
• Keep your immune system strong: Get a flu shot every year to keep your immune system strong.
• Talk to your employer: Discuss keeping your workplace scent-free, especially if you have coworkers with fragrance allergies or sensitivities.

Remember, preventing fragrance allergies is about reducing exposure and managing your environment. By taking these steps, you can help minimise your allergy symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.

Fragrance allergies and asthma

Fragrance sensitivity is when your airways are irritated by ingredients or chemicals in natural or manufactured scents. While the term is sometimes used interchangeably with a fragrance allergy, a fragrance sensitivity does not involve a whole-body immune response. Instead, it suggests that some component of the fragrance is irritating to your airways and eyes.

Symptoms of fragrance sensitivity

The symptoms of fragrance sensitivity generally develop within minutes of exposure to a scent and can last from a few minutes to several hours. The triggering scents can differ from person to person, along with the severity of the symptoms. Symptoms tend to be worse the longer the exposure or the stronger the scent.

Fragrance sensitivity can cause symptoms such as:

• A ticklish feeling in your nose
• A raw or burning sensation in the nasal passages
• Watery, itchy, or red eyes
• Nausea and dizziness
• Contact irritant dermatitis, manifesting with skin redness, irritation, and a prickly rash

Fragrance sensitivity vs. allergy

Although fragrance sensitivity is not uncommon in people with allergies, it is not a true allergy. A true allergy involves an immune response in which a protein called immunoglobulin E (IgE) sets off a chain reaction that leads to allergy symptoms. With fragrance sensitivity, IgE is not involved.

The irritation that occurs with fragrance sensitivity can also trigger an allergic response or an asthma attack in some people, although experts are unsure why.

Treatment and prevention

Avoiding offending fragrances is generally the best way to manage fragrance sensitivity. This can be relatively easy to do at home by buying unscented soaps and lotions, decorating with fake flowers instead of real ones, or banning cigarettes indoors.

It may not be so easy to avoid exposure in the workplace or when visiting friends. In such cases, it is advisable to speak up and politely inform friends, family members, and work colleagues about your sensitivities. They may not be aware that the perfumes or fragrances they are accustomed to are overly strong and affecting others.

In cases where exposure cannot be avoided, or when symptoms are persistent, over-the-counter medications can be used to treat the symptoms. This includes pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or a nasal decongestant to overcome congestion.

When a fragrance sensitivity causes an asthma attack, it is important to take asthma medication to bring the symptoms under control.

Frequently asked questions