Fragrance Allergies: Nausea And Its Link To Scents

Fragrance allergies are a growing concern, with many people experiencing health issues due to exposure to scented products. Fragrance allergy is a chronic condition where the body's immune system reacts abnormally to ordinarily harmless fragrance components. While skin allergies are the most common, with symptoms like rashes and itching, fragrance allergies can also cause respiratory issues, such as coughing and shortness of breath. In rare cases, severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis can occur, which may include nausea as a symptom.

Fragrance allergy symptoms

Fragrance allergies are a chronic condition that generally affects the skin. However, they can also cause respiratory issues and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis.

Skin Symptoms

The most common symptom of a fragrance allergy is an itchy rash, known as allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), which appears on the skin that has been directly exposed to the irritating substance. This can be very uncomfortable but is not contagious. Skin allergies frequently affect the face, hands, or armpits. Other skin symptoms include:

• Hyperpigmentation (patches of skin that are darker than usual), typically on people with darker skin
• Swelling, burning, or tenderness
• Weeping, blistering, or poison ivy-like reactions that can cause skin peeling
• Dry, scaly skin
• Patchy, reddish skin
• A burning sensation on the skin with no visible irritation or sores
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight

Respiratory Symptoms

Fragrance allergies can also cause respiratory issues, including:

• A feeling of suffocation
• A stuffy or runny nose
• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Headaches
• Breathing difficulties

Anaphylaxis

In rare cases, a person can develop anaphylaxis, a severe and dangerous allergic reaction. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Swelling in the mouth, lips, or tongue, which can cause difficulty breathing, eating, or talking
• Difficulty swallowing
• A rapid or weak pulse

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical help immediately.

Non-allergic rhinitis

The exact cause of non-allergic rhinitis is unknown, but it happens when blood vessels in the nose expand, leading to swelling, congestion, and mucus production. There are several factors that can trigger these symptoms, and they vary from person to person. Some common triggers include:

• Irritants in the air, such as dust, smog, cigarette smoke, strong odors like perfumes, chemical fumes, and compost fumes.
• Weather changes, especially in temperature or humidity.
• Infections, particularly viral illnesses like the cold or flu.
• Foods and drinks, specifically hot or spicy foods, and alcohol.
• Medicines, including aspirin, ibuprofen, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, birth control pills, and erectile dysfunction medications.
• Hormone changes due to pregnancy, puberty, periods, or hormone replacement therapy.
• Nasal polyps or sinusitis, which can block airflow through the nose.
• Issues linked with sleep, such as lying on your back while sleeping or overnight acid reflux.

If you think you have non-allergic rhinitis, it is recommended to see a healthcare provider. They will likely perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. To rule out allergies or sinus problems as the cause of your symptoms, they may also order skin or blood tests. Treatment options include nasal sprays, salt water nasal rinses, antihistamines, decongestants, and steroids.

Allergic contact dermatitis

Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis include an itchy rash, swelling, burning, tenderness, and blistering. The rash appears on the skin that has been directly exposed to the fragrance and is typically located on the face, hands, armpits, eyelids, or arms. It can also cause a sore mouth (tongue) and a rash on the lips.

The condition is usually diagnosed by a dermatologist or allergist through a skin patch test. Treatment options include avoiding fragranced products, over-the-counter oral antihistamines, topical steroid creams, and prescription-strength steroids.

To prevent allergic contact dermatitis, it is recommended to avoid all fragranced products and to choose fragrance-free or hypoallergenic options. It is important to note that even products labelled as "fragrance-free" or "unscented" may still contain fragrance chemicals.

Respiratory issues

Fragrance sensitivity can cause a range of respiratory issues. Symptoms can include a ticklish feeling in the nose, a raw or burning sensation in the nasal passages, and watery, itchy, or red eyes.

In some cases, extended inhalation of a scent may lead to nausea and dizziness. Fragrances can also trigger more serious respiratory issues, including coughing, shortness of breath, and asthma attacks.

In a 2016 study, almost 17% of 366 people who reported fragrance allergies experienced respiratory difficulties. This figure rose to 55.3% in a 2020 study, where 55 out of 219 people who were sensitive to smells reported respiratory issues.

If you experience any respiratory issues, it is important to consult a healthcare provider. They can help identify the cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatments or lifestyle changes.

To prevent respiratory issues caused by fragrance sensitivity, it is advisable to avoid fragranced products and scented environments. This may include using unscented or fragrance-free products, asking others to refrain from wearing strong perfumes or colognes, and opting for natural cleaners, such as baking soda or vinegar, instead of strongly scented cleaning products.

Treatment options

Mild, Temporary Symptoms

• Medications: Oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or loratadine (Claritin) can help with itching and stuffiness. These are available over the counter or with a prescription.
• Topical Corticosteroid Creams: Hydrocortisone or other similar steroid creams can be applied to itchy areas or rashes.
• Colloidal Oatmeal Bath: Soaking in an oatmeal bath can help soothe itching and inflammation. Alternatively, create an oatmeal compress by putting oatmeal soaked in cold water into a thin material like pantyhose.
• Gentle Moisturizing Lotion or Cream: Opt for a product without artificial ingredients or chemicals that might trigger another reaction.
• Light Therapy: Try blue or red light therapy to eliminate any bacteria irritating the skin or to reduce the immune system response, thereby soothing and repairing the tissue.

Disruptive Symptoms

• Contact Allergen Testing: Patch tests expose you to small amounts of different allergens to determine your specific triggers. Once identified, you can avoid perfumes containing those ingredients.
• Natural, Plant-Based Perfumes: If you still want to wear perfume, opt for natural, plant-based options with minimal ingredients to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
• Environmental Control: Take steps to reduce exposure to fragrance allergens, such as avoiding common areas where people wearing perfume may walk by, using a small air purifier near your workspace, and requesting that others refrain from wearing strong fragrances around you.

Emergency Symptoms

Seek Immediate Medical Help: For severe symptoms, such as swelling in the mouth, lips, or tongue, or anaphylaxis, seek emergency medical attention. Corticosteroid injections may be necessary to reduce swelling, and anaphylaxis requires immediate treatment to address difficulty breathing.

It is important to note that the first step in treating a fragrance allergy is often avoidance of the substance causing the allergy. Identifying the specific fragrance allergens that trigger your symptoms can be challenging due to labelling laws, but patch testing by a healthcare professional can help confirm the diagnosis.

Frequently asked questions