Colognes And Coughing: What's The Connection?

Coughing is a natural reflex that helps clear our airways, but it can be irritating when it won't go away. While it is often difficult to pinpoint the cause of a cough, strong scents and fragrances such as cologne can be a common trigger. Fragrance sensitivity occurs when certain ingredients or chemicals in perfumes irritate our airways and eyes, leading to symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or itchy eyes. This sensitivity is distinct from a fragrance allergy, which involves a full-body immune response. Avoiding offending fragrances is the best way to manage fragrance sensitivity, but medications can also help control symptoms in cases where exposure is unavoidable.

Fragrance sensitivity

People with fragrance sensitivity may experience symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, or itchy, watery, and red eyes when exposed to certain scents. These symptoms can vary in severity and duration, lasting from a few minutes to several hours. They tend to be worse with longer exposure or stronger scents.

In some cases, prolonged exposure to fragrances can lead to nausea, dizziness, and skin irritation. For example, Vickie Harwood, a 61-year-old woman, experienced a continuous tickling in her throat, which led to persistent coughing. It was eventually discovered that she had become sensitive to fragrances, including her husband's deodorant and cologne.

Identifying the specific fragrance that triggers sensitivity can be challenging. It is advisable to read ingredient labels and keep a diary of symptoms, locations, and scents encountered to help identify patterns. Seeking medical evaluation and advice is also recommended, as fragrance sensitivity can be managed by avoiding offending fragrances, using over-the-counter medications, or taking asthma or allergy medications if necessary.

Vocal cord dysfunction

While cologne may not be a direct cause of coughing, it can trigger coughing in people with fragrance sensitivity or vocal cord dysfunction (VCD).

VCD is a condition in which the vocal cords do not open fully when a person breathes in, blocking the airways and causing difficulty breathing. It often mimics asthma and is frequently misdiagnosed as such. It can be triggered by respiratory irritants, including strong scents and fragrances.

People with VCD may experience symptoms such as:

• A feeling of a lump in the throat or tightness in the throat or chest.
• Difficulty inhaling enough air, which can be painful or cause tension.
• A high-pitched wheezing sound when inhaling, called stridor.
• Frequent coughing or throat-clearing.

VCD can be treated and prevented, but there is no cure. Treatments include breathing exercises, speech therapy, and, in severe cases, medical procedures such as tracheostomy. To prevent VCD episodes, it is important to avoid triggers, such as smoke, certain medications, and foods that aggravate GERD.

In summary, cologne can potentially trigger coughing in individuals with VCD or fragrance sensitivity. If you experience chronic coughing, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Allergies vs. fragrance sensitivity

While the terms "allergy" and "fragrance sensitivity" are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences between the two. A true allergy involves an immune response, wherein a protein called immunoglobulin E (IgE) triggers a chain reaction leading to symptoms such as inflammation, watery eyes, and a runny nose. Fragrance sensitivity, on the other hand, does not involve this whole-body immune response. Instead, it is a reaction to specific chemicals or ingredients in natural or manufactured scents that irritate the airways and eyes.

Allergies

Perfume or fragrance allergies occur when you have an allergic reaction to an allergen present in the perfume. This can be caused by touching, inhaling, or even getting sprayed by the perfume. According to a 2009 survey, about 30% of the population in the United States experienced irritation from perfume, with 19% of participants reporting actual health effects.

Perfume allergies are induced by the numerous chemicals often unlisted in the average perfume or cologne. Due to laws surrounding "trade secrets," companies are not required to disclose all ingredients, instead listing "fragrance" on their labels to represent the various chemical compounds within.

Allergens are technically proteins that trigger an inflammatory response from the body, causing allergy symptoms. This immune system response usually takes a few days to develop and can manifest as itchiness, a rash, or mild symptoms that can last for weeks. In rare cases, severe symptoms such as anaphylaxis may occur, requiring immediate medical attention.

Fragrance Sensitivity

Fragrance sensitivity is a more common reaction to fragrances, affecting about 30% of people according to a University of West Georgia study. It is characterized by allergy-like symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. Fragrance sensitivity can affect anyone but is more likely to occur in individuals with asthma or allergies.

The symptoms of fragrance sensitivity typically develop within minutes of exposure and can last from a few minutes to several hours. They tend to be worse with longer exposure or stronger scents. In addition to respiratory symptoms, fragrance sensitivity can also cause skin allergy symptoms such as contact dermatitis, a rash that appears on the skin.

While fragrance sensitivity does not trigger a full-body immune response, the irritation it causes can sometimes lead to an allergic response or an asthma attack. The specific fragrance causing the sensitivity can be challenging to identify, as it may be due to a particular component within a product.

Treatment and Prevention

The best way to manage fragrance sensitivity and allergies is to avoid exposure to offending fragrances. This may involve using unscented products, avoiding certain areas, and requesting that others refrain from wearing strong fragrances around you. In cases where exposure is unavoidable or symptoms persist, over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers or nasal decongestants, can be used to treat the symptoms.

For those with allergies, treatments such as nasal antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid medications can help control symptoms. Identifying specific triggers through patch tests or allergy testing can also aid in managing allergies and sensitivities.

In summary, while allergies and fragrance sensitivity share some similarities and can both be triggered by fragrances, they differ in the type of immune response they elicit. Understanding these differences can help individuals manage their symptoms and make necessary lifestyle adjustments.

Perfume allergy symptoms

Coughing is a physical reflex that helps clear our airways, and the average cough lasts about 18 days. However, it is often difficult to pinpoint the cause of a cough, and most people underestimate the time it takes for a cough to clear up. One possible cause of a chronic cough is scented household sprays and perfumes.

Perfumes and colognes can cause fragrance sensitivity, which irritates your airways and eyes. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes, and can develop within minutes of exposure to a scent. The severity of symptoms tends to be influenced by the length of exposure and the strength of the scent.

Perfumes can also cause allergic reactions, which occur when your body has a specific immune system response to an ingredient or chemical in the perfume. This can result in a wide range of symptoms, from a rash and itching to severe reactions such as anaphylaxis.

• Itchy red rash
• Itching around the eyes and throat
• Skin that is scaly or dry
• Blisters that get crusty and ooze pus
• Patchy, reddish skin
• Burning sensation on the skin with no visible irritation or sores
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight

Some severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention include:

• Swelling in the mouth, lips, or tongue, which can cause difficulty breathing, eating, or talking
• Anaphylaxis, which is when the airways become inflamed and close up due to the release of a high volume of antibodies, making it difficult or impossible to breathe

Treatment for perfume allergies

Colognes and perfumes can cause allergic reactions and fragrance sensitivity. The average perfume or cologne contains about 14 chemicals that could trigger an allergic reaction, and over 2,500 unlisted chemicals in total. Common ingredients found in perfumes or fragrances that can cause a reaction are citronella, oak moss, balsam of Peru, and synthetic components.

If you are experiencing an allergy or sensitivity to fragrances, the best treatment is prevention and avoidance. However, it is impossible to avoid all fragrances, so here are some other treatments:

• Medications: Oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or loratadine (Claritin) can help with itching and stuffiness. These can be purchased over the counter or with a prescription from your doctor.
• Topical corticosteroid creams: Apply hydrocortisone or other similar steroid creams to an itchy area or rash.
• Colloidal oatmeal bath: An oatmeal bath can help soothe itching and inflammation. An oatmeal compress can also be made by putting oatmeal soaked in cold water in a thin material like pantyhose.
• Gentle moisturizing 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.
• Inhaled corticosteroid: For breathing problems related to perfume allergies, your doctor can prescribe an inhaled corticosteroid.

If you are experiencing a severe reaction, such as swelling in your mouth, lips, or tongue, or anaphylaxis, seek immediate medical attention.

If you believe you are experiencing a perfume allergy, it is important to get a proper diagnosis from a board-certified allergist. They can perform a patch test to confirm the diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

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