Colognes And Rashes: What's The Connection?

Cologne and perfume allergies are very common, with about 2.5 million Americans suffering from fragrance allergies. Fragrances are made up of more than 3,000 chemicals, many of which are not listed on the product label. These chemicals are often absorbed into the skin and can cause a range of reactions, from skin itching and redness to blisters and swelling.

Perfume allergies occur when the body identifies an ingredient in the perfume as a foreign substance and releases an inflammatory reaction to fight it off. Symptoms of a perfume allergy include itching, rashes, blisters, and increased sensitivity to sunlight. In more severe cases, swelling of the tongue, lips, or mouth may occur, and breathing difficulties can develop.

If you think you are suffering from a perfume allergy, it is important to identify the allergen and avoid it. Treatment options include medications, topical ointments, and oatmeal baths.

Symptoms of a cologne allergy

A cologne allergy is a type of perfume or fragrance allergy. It occurs when you have an allergic reaction to an ingredient in the cologne. While many colognes contain irritants that can cause skin sensitivities, a true allergy happens when your body identifies an organic protein in the cologne as a foreign substance and releases an inflammatory response.

Mild symptoms

• Itchy, red rash that goes away quickly after exposure
• Itching or burning sensation on the skin without visible irritation or sores
• Skin that is scaly or dry
• Blisters that crust over and ooze pus
• Patchy, reddish skin
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight

Moderate symptoms

• Sneezing if the cologne is sprayed near your face or airways
• Itchy, runny, or stuffy nose
• Nasal mucus dripping down the back of the throat (postnasal drip)

Severe symptoms

• Swelling of the mouth, lips, or tongue, which can cause difficulty breathing, eating, or talking
• Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction where the airways become inflamed and close up, making it hard to breathe

If you experience any severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. For mild to moderate symptoms, over-the-counter antihistamines and topical corticosteroid creams can help manage the reaction.

Treatment options for a cologne allergy

Treatment for a cologne allergy depends on its severity. Here are some options for treating a cologne allergy:

• Medications: Oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or loratadine (Claritin) can help with itching and stuffiness. You can get these over the counter or with a prescription from your doctor.
• Topical corticosteroid creams: You can apply hydrocortisone or other similar steroid creams to an itchy area or a rash.
• Colloidal 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 in a thin material like pantyhose.
• Gentle moisturising lotion or cream: Use one that doesn’t have any artificial ingredients or chemicals that might trigger another reaction.
• Light therapy: Try either blue or red light therapy to help eliminate any bacteria irritating your skin or to reduce the immune system response on your skin to both soothe and repair tissue.
• 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. Once you know what you’re allergic to, you can try to avoid any colognes that contain those ingredients.
• Inhaled corticosteroid: For breathing problems related to cologne allergy, your doctor or allergist can prescribe an inhaled corticosteroid.
• Avoiding the allergen: The best treatment for a cologne allergy is avoidance. However, it may be impossible to avoid all fragrances.

If you are experiencing severe symptoms such as a fever or trouble breathing, seek immediate medical help.

How to avoid cologne allergies

Cologne allergies are common and can be disruptive, especially if you have to live or work with people who wear cologne every day. Luckily, there are several ways to reduce your exposure and improve your symptoms.

Identify the Allergen

The first step is to identify the specific allergen that is causing your allergy. This can be done through patch testing, which exposes you to small amounts of different allergens to determine your triggers. Once you know the specific ingredient that is causing your allergy, you can avoid any colognes that contain it.

Choose Fragrance-Free Products

When choosing personal care and household products, opt for fragrance-free options. Fragrances are often added to products such as body wash, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, laundry detergents, and air fresheners. By choosing fragrance-free alternatives, you can reduce your exposure to potential allergens.

Opt for Natural, Plant-Based Colognes

If you still want to wear cologne, try natural, plant-based options. These typically have fewer ingredients and a lower risk of containing allergens.

Choose Colognes with Minimal Ingredients

Even if a cologne is not natural or plant-based, choosing one with minimal ingredients can reduce the chance of an allergic reaction.

Avoid Common Areas with Strong Scents

Try to avoid common areas where people wearing strong scents may walk by and trigger your allergies. This includes areas with heavy use of air fresheners or scented candles.

Use an Air Purifier

Keep a small air purifier near your workspace to help keep the air free of airborne proteins that can trigger your symptoms.

Inform Others About Your Allergy

Let the people around you know about your allergy, so they can avoid wearing cologne or strong scents around you. This includes coworkers, friends, and family members.

Choose Unscented Products

To minimize your exposure to potential allergens, avoid using any scented products yourself. This includes candles, air fresheners, and scented candles.

Get a Flu Shot

A strong immune system can help reduce the severity of your allergy symptoms. Get a flu shot every year to keep your immune system strong.

Talk to Your Employer

If you work in a scented environment, talk to your employer about keeping the workplace scent-free. This is especially important if you have coworkers with fragrance allergies or sensitivities.

Common allergens in cologne

Fragrances and perfumes can be made from natural extracts or synthetic compounds. The average perfume contains about 14 chemicals, but there are over 2,500 different fragrance ingredients used in perfumes and perfumed consumer goods.

In 2011, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) identified 82 substances as contact allergens, including 54 synthetic chemicals and 28 natural extracts. Of these, 12 chemicals and eight natural extracts were deemed to be at high risk of causing sensitisation.

The 15 most common fragrance allergens can be identified by patch testing with balsam of Peru, Fragrance Mix I (FM I), and Fragrance Mix II (FM II). Here are some of the most common fragrance allergens:

• Isoeugenol (found in Fragrance Mix I)
• Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (Lyral) (found in Fragrance Mix II)
• Alpha-amyl cinnamyl alcohol
• Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial)
• Hexyl cinnamal (Jasmonal h)
• Evernia furfuracea (Treemoss) extract
• Evernia prunastri (Oakmoss) extract

Other common ingredients found in perfumes or fragrances that can cause a reaction include citronella, oak moss, balsam of Peru, and other synthetic components.

How to test for cologne allergies

If you think you might have a cologne or perfume allergy, you can ask an allergist to perform an allergy test to confirm the diagnosis. A perfume allergy patch test can identify your allergy to a specific substance. The allergist will place the suspected allergen onto a patch and then place the patch on your back. The patch will be left on your skin for at least two days, as symptoms can be immediate or delayed. While wearing the patch, you should avoid activities that cause excessive sweating, as this could skew the results. You should also avoid using cortisone creams on your back before the placement of the patch, as certain cortisones can affect the results. If the results are positive, your doctor can develop a treatment plan for you.

If you are diagnosed with a cologne or perfume allergy, the best treatment is to avoid the substance causing your allergy. However, it is impossible to avoid all fragrances, so over-the-counter allergy medication can help treat headaches and allergic rhinitis. For breathing problems related to perfume allergy, your doctor or allergist can prescribe an inhaled corticosteroid.

If you are allergic to perfume or cologne, it is important to educate those around you. If you work in an office, talk to your coworkers about your allergy and ask them not to spray or wear perfume at work.

Frequently asked questions