Heidi Norton
Fragrances are one of the most frequently cited substances causing allergic reactions, and perfumes are typically made up of dozens or even hundreds of synthetic chemical compounds. Fragrance allergy is believed to affect around 1% of adults and rates in children and adolescents are around 1.8%. For those with eczema, this can be particularly problematic, as the skin is already fragile and more sensitive to external irritants. Perfumes are highly alcoholic and can be drying and irritating to the skin, potentially triggering an eczema flare-up.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of the general population sensitized to at least one allergen | 20% |
| Percentage of the population with fragrance sensitivity | 1-4% |
| Percentage of people with contact dermatitis who have fragrance sensitivity | 8-15% |
| Percentage of cosmetic reactions caused by fragrances | 30-45% |
| Percentage of adults with fragrance allergies | 1% |
| Percentage of children and adolescents with fragrance allergies | 1.8% |
| Common allergens | rose oil, vanilla, sweet almond oil |
| Symptoms of a perfume allergy | itchy red rash, itching without rash, mild headache, swelling in mouth, lips or tongue, anaphylaxis |
| Treatments for mild symptoms | oral antihistamines, topical corticosteroid creams |
| Substances to avoid if you have eczema | synthetic fragrances, methylparaben, butylparaben, alpha hydroxy acids, retinols, glycolic acid, salicylic acid |
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What You'll Learn
Fragrance allergy and eczema
Fragrances and perfumes are chemical compounds that have a distinct smell or aroma. Fragrance allergy is common and is believed to affect around 1% of adults, with rates in children and adolescents being around 1.8%. Fragrance sensitivity is seen in 1-4% of the general population and 8-15% of people with contact dermatitis. Fragrance allergy is the second most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, after nickel allergy.
Perfumes are highly alcoholic and can be irritating for problem skin. The alcohol in perfumes can attack sensitive or already damaged skin, causing further dryness and irritation. Synthetic fragrances are particularly problematic, but natural or organic products that contain scents may also aggravate the skin. The compounds in fragrances are typically of plant or animal origin, and natural ingredients with a scent such as German chamomile or Roman chamomile may cause sensitisation in some people.
In the case of eczema, the skin is already fragile, and its protective barrier role is altered. This means that the skin becomes more sensitive to external irritants, such as alcohol. Perfumes can cause allergic reactions in people with eczema, and these reactions can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms of a perfume allergy can include itching, even where there is no rash or irritation, and a red rash that goes away quickly after exposure. More severe reactions can include swelling in the mouth, lips, or tongue, and anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention.
To avoid allergic reactions, it is recommended to identify the specific fragrance chemical causing the allergy through patch testing and then read labels to avoid that ingredient. However, it can be challenging to identify all the products that contain a specific fragrance, as manufacturers may not list all ingredients, and ingredients can be changed without notice. Instead, choosing perfumes with minimal ingredients or natural, plant-based perfumes can reduce the chance of an allergic reaction.
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Synthetic fragrances
Perfumes are highly alcoholic and are sprayed directly onto the skin. Alcohol is inherently drying and irritating to the skin, and can cause spots to appear when exposed to the sun. Alcohol can also attack sensitive or already damaged skin.
To avoid allergic reactions, it is recommended to use perfumes with minimal ingredients, natural, plant-based perfumes, or products that are labelled "fragrance-free".
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Alcohol in perfumes
Perfumes are chemical compounds that have a distinct smell or aroma. Fragrance sensitivity is seen in 1-4% of the general population and 8-15% of people with contact dermatitis. Fragrance allergy is common and believed to affect around 1% of adults and 1.8% of children and adolescents.
Alcohol is a pivotal ingredient in perfumes, serving as a solvent for dissolving aromatic compounds in the perfume formula. It also acts as a base for distilling the fragrance oils and diluting them to the desired concentration. The alcohol in the perfume evaporates quickly when applied to the skin, releasing the fragrance oils, which then settle and slowly release their aroma over time. The alcohol also helps preserve the perfume, ensuring that it retains its quality and strength over a long time.
The alcohol used in perfumes is typically denatured, meaning it has additives to prevent drinking it. These additives make it poisonous, nauseating, and bad-tasting. The most common perfume alcohol is Trade Specific Denatured Alcohol (TSDA SD-40b), which is often made from the fermentation of sugar beets. Sugar beets produce twice as much alcohol per acre and require 40% less water per gallon of ethanol produced compared to corn. The ethanol or ethyl alcohol in perfume goes through distillation, which makes it clean.
There are several types of alcohol used in perfumes, including synthetic ethanol produced through laboratory synthesis and bioethanol or agricultural ethanol derived from plants such as grains, fruits, and sugar cane. The production of bioethanol involves fermenting sugars or starches from plant sources, refining the ethanol through distillation, and removing any remaining water.
The amount of alcohol and odorous substances in a perfume are inversely related, meaning that as the concentration of odorous material increases, the amount of alcohol decreases and vice versa. Perfumes with higher alcohol concentrations tend to have a longer shelf life as the alcohol helps prevent the odorous ingredients from oxidizing.
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Natural fragrances
Fragrances are a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, which presents as eczema. Fragrances are volatile chemical compounds that create an odour. They are typically comprised of dozens or even hundreds of synthetic chemical compounds, usually of plant or animal origin.
It is important to note that manufacturers of fragrances and perfumes may not disclose their full ingredient list due to competition, making it challenging for consumers with allergies to identify potential allergens. Furthermore, products labelled "unscented" or "fragrance-free" may still contain fragrance components, known as masking fragrances, to cover up offensive odours. These masking fragrances can include allergens such as rose oil, vanilla, and sweet almond oil.
If you have eczema, it is recommended to choose soaps and detergents that are labelled fragrance-free rather than unscented. Rinsing is also important to prevent skin dryness.
To identify specific allergens, patch tests can be performed to determine your allergy triggers. Once identified, it is crucial to avoid exposure to the allergen by carefully reading product labels.
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Perfume sensitivity
Fragrances are one of the most frequently cited substances causing allergic reactions. Fragrance sensitivity is seen in 1-4% of the general population and 8-15% of people with contact dermatitis. Perfumes are highly alcoholic and can be irritating for those with eczema or sensitive skin.
If you have eczema, it can be difficult to find products that won't irritate your skin. Synthetic fragrances are particularly problematic, but natural or organic products that contain scents may also aggravate your skin. Perfumes are made from three elements: perfume concentrate obtained from essences, a support, and a fixative. To avoid allergic reactions, you can try patch tests that expose you to small amounts of different allergens to determine your specific triggers. Once you know what you are allergic to, you can avoid any perfumes that contain those ingredients.
If you are experiencing mild symptoms of a perfume allergy, you can try over-the-counter medications such as oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or loratadine (Claritin) to help with itching and stuffiness. You can also apply topical corticosteroid creams such as hydrocortisone to an itchy area or a rash.
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Frequently asked questions
Eczema is a skin disease that causes fragile skin. The protective barrier role of the skin is altered, making it more sensitive to external aggression.
Yes, perfume can cause eczema. Fragrances are one of the most frequently cited substances causing allergic reactions. Perfumes are highly alcoholic and can be irritating to sensitive or already damaged skin.
Symptoms of a perfume allergy can include an itchy red rash, itching without a rash, a mild headache, and in rare cases, swelling in the mouth, lips, or tongue.
You can take a patch test to expose yourself to small amounts of different allergens and determine your specific triggers.
If you experience a perfume allergy, you should seek medical attention. You can also take over-the-counter medications such as oral antihistamines or apply topical corticosteroid creams to the affected area.
