Old Cologne's Hidden Dangers: Can It Hurt You?

Cologne is a scented liquid made from alcohol and essential oils. While cologne does expire, it is uncommon for old cologne to hurt you. However, it is important to note that cologne can be harmful if ingested, especially for children. The most toxic ingredients in cologne are ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. Exposure to cologne can also trigger allergies, skin sensitivities, and cause harm over time. To prevent cologne from expiring, it is recommended to store it in a cool, dark, and dry place, avoiding direct sunlight and moisture.

Cologne poisoning: symptoms and treatment

Cologne is a scented liquid made from alcohol and essential oils. Cologne poisoning occurs when someone swallows cologne, whether by accident or on purpose. If you or someone you know has swallowed cologne, call the local emergency number (e.g. 911 in the US) or the local poison control center. In the US, you can reach the poison control center by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222). This is a free and confidential service that can be used 24/7, even if it is not an emergency.

Symptoms

• Decreased level of consciousness, including coma
• Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting (may be bloody)
• Trouble walking normally
• Low body temperature, low blood sugar, and low blood pressure
• Too little or too much urine output
• Seizures (convulsions)
• Swaying from side to side
• Uncoordinated movement

Children are especially prone to developing low blood sugar. Symptoms of low blood sugar in children can include:

• Drowsiness or a dip in energy
• Lethargy or lack of energy
• A spiking temperature
• Boils or large hives

Treatment

If you or someone you know has swallowed cologne, do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by poison control or a healthcare provider. When calling for emergency help, have the following information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Time the cologne was swallowed

At the hospital, the medical provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Treatment will depend on the amount of cologne swallowed and how quickly treatment is received. The person may receive:

• Blood and urine tests
• Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth into the lungs and a breathing machine (ventilator)
• ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Endoscopy -- a camera placed down the throat to examine the esophagus and stomach, especially if vomiting blood
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Medicine to treat symptoms
• A tube through the nose into the stomach if vomiting blood

The faster medical help is given, the better the chance for recovery.

Cologne ingredients to watch out for

While colognes are designed to smell pleasant and enhance one's appeal, some ingredients within them can be harmful to the body if one is exposed to them over a long period or if they are ingested.

Alcohols

The most common toxic ingredients in colognes are ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol). These alcohols are used to infuse the desired scent and act as preservatives. However, they are toxic if ingested in amounts greater than 30 milliliters. Ingesting these alcohols can cause symptoms such as decreased consciousness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and in extreme cases, coma.

Respiratory Sensitizers

Some colognes may contain respiratory sensitizers that can trigger asthma or other respiratory issues.

Hormone Sensitizers

Certain ingredients in colognes can act as hormone sensitizers, disrupting the body's endocrine system and causing hormonal imbalances.

Secret Ingredients

Due to laws protecting fragrance manufacturers' trade secrets, specific ingredients in colognes are often not disclosed. These undisclosed ingredients may include harmful chemicals that can build up in the body over time and negatively affect the reproductive system.

Citrus Compounds

Citrus-based colognes are more prone to negative changes over time. The compounds used for citrus notes are highly volatile and can deteriorate, resulting in an unpleasant smell or loss of intensity.

Styrene

Styrene is a chemical found in many cosmetic products, including colognes. It has been deemed a likely carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program.

Musk Ketone

Musk ketone is a widely used ingredient in European cosmetics. It has low biodegradability and is often found in human breast milk and fatty tissue. While the dangers of musk ketone are unclear, its presence in the body indicates potential health risks.

To minimize the potential risks associated with cologne ingredients, it is advisable to use colognes sparingly and store them properly, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Additionally, opting for colognes that list all their ingredients transparently can help make a more informed choice.

How to store cologne to extend its shelf life

To extend the shelf life of cologne, it is important to store it correctly. Here are some tips to help you do that:

• Keep the bottle sealed when not in use. Oxygen is the enemy of perfume, as it causes oxidation, diluting the scent and leading to evaporation.
• Store the cologne in a dark place. Light can cause the structures within the fragrance to break down, resulting in an unpleasant smell.
• Choose a dry storage area. Humidity and water can cause chemical reactions that alter the scent and cause evaporation.
• Avoid storing cologne in the bathroom. The bathroom has fluctuating temperatures and high humidity, which can cause unwanted chemical reactions and evaporation.
• Keep the cologne in its original box and bottle. The packaging offers protection from light and moisture, helps maintain a consistent temperature, and provides cushioning if the bottle is dropped.
• Place the cologne on a low-level shelf. This reduces the risk of breakage if the bottle is knocked over or falls, preventing waste and strong smells from lingering.
• Avoid excessive shaking of the bottle. Shaking introduces oxidation via bubbles, which can ruin chemical bonds and dilute delicate hints in the cologne.
• Opt for a constant, cool temperature for storage. Extreme temperatures can negatively impact the chemical structure of the cologne, altering its smell.
• Check the cologne for discolouration. While natural ingredients may darken over time without affecting the scent, discolouration in synthetic fragrances could indicate that the cologne is starting to go bad.
• Store the cologne in an airtight container. This minimises oxidation and protects the fragrance from harmful rays, preserving the scent.

How to tell if cologne has expired

While old cologne will not hurt you, it can expire, and applying it could result in an unpleasant smell, skin irritation, or an allergic reaction. Here are some ways to tell if your cologne has expired:

Smell the Fragrance

The most obvious way to tell if your cologne has gone bad is to test its scent. If your cologne smells of vinegar or you notice a significant change in the concentration of the original scent, it might be expired. Scents with large alcohol concentrations may evaporate over time, so an expired cologne will often have less liquid in the bottle than it did the last time you checked it.

Check the Appearance

Check if the colour of your cologne has changed. A darker colour than when you started could mean it has gone bad. If you started with a clear or translucent gold liquid and now have a more opaque or amber liquid, that could be a sign it has expired.

Check for an Expiration Date

Many times, cologne will have some sort of expiration date on its packaging. This can come in the form of either a batch code or a PAO (Period After Opening) number. These are typically found on the bottom of the cologne or printed on the box it comes in. There are often many other numbers like the catalog number and bar code that are also printed on the packaging. It’s important to know which number you are looking at to determine if your cologne is expired.

Check for Crystallisation

If you notice small crystals forming on the outer edge of your cologne dispenser, it might mean your fragrance is oxidising. If the smell is off too, it’s time for retirement.

Store it Properly

To extend the life of your cologne, it's best to store it in a cool, dark place, away from heat and daylight, as UV light can harm the fragrance and break down its formula. Keeping a cologne in the refrigerator is actually the best climate and storage space.

Allergic reactions to cologne

Allergy vs Sensitivity

When you have allergies, your body has a specific immune system response to an ingredient or chemical in the cologne that causes the reaction. This means that your body identifies the ingredient as a foreign substance and releases an inflammatory reaction to help fight it off as if it's a bacterial or viral invader. This immune system response usually develops over a course of days and manifests as itchiness or a rash. These symptoms can last for weeks before they go away.

Perfume sensitivity, on the other hand, is much more common and is a reaction to something that irritates your body. Sensitivity doesn't trigger a body-wide immune system response. With sensitivity, you might have a rash that goes away after a few hours or a mild headache. You might also just sneeze a few times before your symptoms go away as your body reacts by getting rid of the irritant.

Symptoms

Most allergic reactions typically give you an itchy red rash that goes away quickly after you've been exposed to the cologne. Some mild symptoms can last for a few weeks even after brief exposure.

Mild symptoms of a cologne allergy can include:

• Itching, even where you don’t see any rash or irritation
• Itching around your eyes and in your throat
• Skin that’s scaly or dry
• Blisters that get crusty and ooze pus
• Patchy, reddish skin
• A burning sensation on your skin with no visible irritation or sores
• Being more sensitive to sunlight than usual

Mild symptoms of a perfume sensitivity can include:

• Sneezing if the cologne is sprayed near your face and airways (nose, mouth, and throat)
• Itching, running, or stuffiness of your nose
• Nasal mucus dripping down the back of your throat (postnasal drip)

Other allergic reactions are much more severe and can happen quickly. Some of these symptoms might need immediate medical attention. They are, however, extremely rare.

• Swelling in your mouth, lips, or tongue, which can make it harder for you to breathe, eat, or talk. You may need medical treatment, such as corticosteroid injections, to reduce the swelling quickly.
• Anaphylaxis. This happens when your airways get inflamed and close up because your body releases a high volume of a type of antibody called IgE. This can make it difficult or impossible to breathe. Get emergency medical help if this happens.

Treatment

The treatment for a cologne allergy should be based on your symptoms and the substance that causes the allergy. Most importantly, it should include avoiding the substance that caused the symptom in the first place.

Try these treatments for mild, temporary symptoms:

• Medications: Oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or loratadine (Claritin) can help with itching and stuffiness. You can get these at any store that sells over-the-counter medications or get a prescription from your doctor.
• Topical corticosteroid creams: You can apply hydrocortisone or other similar steroid creams to an itchy area or to 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 moisturizing lotion or cream: Use one that doesn’t have any artificial ingredients or chemicals that might trigger another reaction.
• Light therapy: You can try either blue or red light to help eliminate any bacteria irritating your skin or to reduce the immune system response on your skin to both soothe and repair tissue.

Preventing and Treating Fragrance Sensitivities

If you're dealing with allergy symptoms caused by fragrance sensitivity, there are some things that you can do for relief. Nasal antihistamine and nasal corticosteroid medications can effectively control allergy symptoms caused by these sensitivities. But the best medicine is prevention, which means keeping all fragrances off yourself and out of your environment.

There just aren't any "safe" fragrances or products that can be recommended for anyone who has experienced allergy symptoms due to fragrance sensitivities. It's suggested that patients utilize scent-free products if at all possible. That means fragrance-free: deodorants, soaps, moisturizers, shaving creams, and laundry detergents.

You may also need to ask your friends, spouse or partner, and co-workers to avoid wearing or using heavily fragranced products around you to prevent your allergy symptoms.

Frequently asked questions