Katrina Rosales
Fragrances and perfumes can be made from natural extracts or synthetic compounds. While some people are sensitive to perfumes, others may have allergies that cause an immune system response. Symptoms of a perfume allergy include itchy red rashes, boils, blisters, and burning sensations. If you suspect an allergy, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or an allergist for testing and to avoid the substance causing the allergy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of skin burn | Allergic reaction to perfume |
| Allergic reaction cause | Organic protein in perfume ingredient |
| Frequency | Affects around 1% of adults |
| Symptoms | Itchy red rash, boils, hives, blisters, erosions, lichenification, excoriation, cheilitis, gingivitis, oral lichen planus |
| Testing | Patch testing, repeat open application test |
| Treatment | Avoidance, light therapy, topical steroid |
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What You'll Learn
Allergic reactions to perfume
A perfume or fragrance allergy occurs when an individual has an allergic reaction after exposure to a perfume that contains an allergen. Fragrances and perfumes can be made from natural extracts or synthetic compounds, and either way, they can cause allergies. Fragrance allergy is a chronic condition involving abnormal immune reactions to ordinarily harmless substances in fragranced products.
Perfume allergy symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Mild symptoms include itching, even without a rash or irritation. More severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention include swelling in the mouth, lips, or tongue, and anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis happens when a person's airways become inflamed and close up due to the release of a high volume of antibodies, making it difficult or impossible to breathe.
To treat a perfume allergy, one must first identify the allergen and then avoid exposure to it. Topical ointments, medications, and oatmeal baths can be used to treat the allergy. Patch testing can be used to identify the specific allergen, but it is not always practical or cost-effective. Another method is the repeat open application test, where the patient applies a small amount of the suspected product twice a day for two weeks to the forearm or inner upper arm. If a rash develops, the product should be avoided.
It is important to note that fragrance manufacturers are not required to list all the chemicals used in their perfumes, which can make it challenging to identify the specific allergen causing the reaction.
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Perfume sensitivity
While some people are allergic to fragrances, the majority of reactions people experience are simply perfume sensitivities. Perfume sensitivity is a reaction to something that irritates your body, but it does not trigger a body-wide immune system response. With a sensitivity, you might experience a rash that goes away after a few hours or a mild headache.
If you suspect you are sensitive to perfume, you can try a dermatological test by mixing 95% perfume with 5% carrier oil or vegetable glycerin and applying it to your skin. If you experience redness, it is best to stop wearing the perfume and consult a dermatologist or pharmacist. You can also apply an unscented moisturiser before layering the fragrance.
To avoid triggering a sensitivity, it is recommended to minimise exposure to potential triggers. This includes not only perfumes but also scented products such as candles and air fresheners.
If you are experiencing a reaction, you can try light therapy using either blue or red light to help eliminate bacteria irritating your skin or reduce the immune system response.
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Allergic contact dermatitis
While perfumes can cause skin irritation, they do not "burn" the skin. However, they can cause allergic contact dermatitis, a type of skin inflammation.
Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis
The symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis include a rash on the skin that is red to purple or darker than your natural skin tone. The rash can be swollen, hive-like, or elevated from the surrounding skin, and it may be bumpy with small clusters of pimples or blisters. The rash can also ooze fluid or pus and cause a painful burning or stinging sensation. It usually develops within hours to days after exposure to the allergen.
Diagnosis and treatment
A diagnosis of fragrance allergy typically requires a detailed patient history and is confirmed by patch testing. Treatment of allergic contact dermatitis resulting from fragrance exposure requires identifying the allergen and avoiding it if possible. Topical steroids may also be used to treat the affected area.
Prevention
If you suspect that a particular product is causing an allergy, it is recommended to perform a patch test on a small area of skin before using it. If you have a fragrance allergy, the best way to prevent allergic contact dermatitis is to avoid all products that contain fragrances.
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Testing for perfume allergies
A perfume or fragrance allergy occurs when you have an allergic reaction to a perfume that contains an allergen. Fragrance allergies are common and affect around 1% of adults, with higher rates in children and adolescents (around 1.8%). Fragrance allergy is second only to nickel allergy as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis.
If you suspect you have a perfume allergy, you can take steps to identify the specific allergen and manage your exposure to it. Here are some ways to test for and manage perfume allergies:
- Patch Testing: Patch tests involve exposing your skin to small amounts of different allergens to determine your specific triggers. You can visit a dermatologist or allergist to perform patch testing and confirm whether you have a fragrance allergy.
- Repeat Open Application Test: This method is often more practical and cost-effective than patch testing. Before using a new fragrant product, apply a small amount of the product to the same area of your forearm or inner upper arm twice a day for two weeks. If a rash or other irritation develops, discontinue use and wash the area thoroughly.
- Identifying Scents: Pay attention to your surroundings and take note of any strong smells that seem to trigger your symptoms. Once you have identified a potential trigger, limit your exposure to it and observe whether your symptoms improve.
- Checking Labels: Always read the labels on cosmetic and personal care products. Avoid products that list "fragrance" as an ingredient, as this term can represent a hundred or more chemical compounds, including potential allergens.
- Fragrance-Free Alternatives: Opt for unscented or fragrance-free products whenever possible. Even products labelled as having a "natural fragrance" may still contain chemicals that trigger a reaction.
- Avoiding Perfumes: If you know you are allergic to a specific substance, carefully read the ingredient lists of any perfumes you consider purchasing to ensure that the allergen is not present. Choose perfumes with minimal ingredients to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction.
- Natural, Plant-Based Perfumes: If you want to continue wearing perfume but want to avoid potential allergens, consider switching to natural, plant-based perfumes. These perfumes typically contain fewer synthetic chemicals, reducing the likelihood of an allergic response.
It is important to note that fragrance allergies can be challenging to manage, especially if you live or work with people who wear perfume. If you experience severe symptoms, such as fever or difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention.
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Avoiding perfume allergies
A perfume or fragrance allergy occurs when someone experiences an allergic reaction to an ingredient or chemical in a perfume. Fragrance allergy is believed to affect around 1% of adults, with rates in children and adolescents being slightly higher at 1.8%.
- If you suspect you have a perfume allergy, consider getting a contact allergen test. Patch tests expose you to small amounts of different allergens to determine your specific triggers.
- Once you know your triggers, you can avoid them. Check the ingredients of any perfume you want to buy and never buy one that contains your triggers.
- You can try natural, plant-based perfumes to achieve a similar scent without the allergens.
- It can be difficult to totally avoid perfumes that cause allergic reactions, especially if you live or work with people who wear perfume. Let the people around you know about your allergy, so they can avoid wearing perfume around you.
- Keep a small air purifier near your workspace to help keep your air free of airborne proteins that can trigger your symptoms.
- Avoid common areas where people wearing perfume may walk by and trigger your allergies.
- If you have a fever or any trouble breathing, seek immediate medical help.
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Frequently asked questions
Discontinue use of the product and consult a dermatologist or pharmacist. You may also want to try applying an unscented moisturiser to the affected area.
Fragrances and perfumes contain dozens of different fragrance additives, and your skin may be reacting to one of these compounds. It is difficult to know which one in particular is causing the burning sensation, but perfume is a common trigger for allergic reactions.
You can try a patch test, which involves exposing yourself to small amounts of different allergens to determine your specific allergic triggers. You can also try a 'repeat open application test', which involves applying a dot of the product to the same area of the forearm or inner upper arm twice a day for two weeks. If a rash develops, you should discontinue use.
