Lance Carson
Perfume is designed to make people smell good, but it can sometimes have the opposite effect, making people feel unwell. This is known as fragrance sensitivity and can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms, including headaches, nausea, sneezing, involuntary muscle contractions, and even seizures. While it's rare for perfume to cause immediate and irreversible damage to your health, certain toxic ingredients in perfumes, such as ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, can be harmful, especially to children if ingested. Additionally, some chemicals in perfumes may have dangerous long-term effects if they build up in the body, and the lack of transparency about ingredients makes it challenging to assess the risks. The impact of perfume on individuals varies, and while some may enjoy the emotional connection and enhanced experiences associated with fragrances, others may find themselves feeling unwell due to fragrance sensitivity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Allergic reaction | Skin irritation, itching, rashes, sneezing, headaches, nausea, migraines, involuntary muscle contractions, seizures, dizziness, respiratory problems, watery eyes, runny nose, congestion, asthma |
| Toxic effects | Carcinogens, alcohols, petroleum, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol |
| Health issues | Queasiness, lightheadedness |
| Effects on children | Dangerous drop in blood sugar levels |
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What You'll Learn
Perfume can cause mild allergic reactions
It is not uncommon for people to feel sick due to certain perfumes. Fragrance sensitivity is a common issue, with approximately 45 million Americans affected by some form of chemical sensitivity. This can be triggered by a range of products, from flowers to perfumes, hand soap, air fresheners, and pesticides.
Perfumes can cause mild allergic reactions, commonly in the form of contact dermatitis. This condition usually occurs when the skin comes into contact with an ingredient that causes irritation. Symptoms include itching, burning, and redness of the skin. Contact dermatitis typically resolves on its own without treatment. However, if symptoms persist, home remedies such as washing the affected area with gentle soap and lukewarm water, or using hypoallergenic products like calamine lotion, can provide relief.
The scented ingredients in perfumes are often infused into alcohols like ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, which act as preservatives and stabilizers for the desired scent. These alcohols can be dangerous, especially to children if ingested in larger amounts. Additionally, some chemicals in perfumes help the skin absorb the fragrance, making it last longer. However, these same chemicals may increase the skin's vulnerability to potential carcinogens, alcohols, and petroleum present in the product.
The effects of exposure to scented products can vary. Some people may experience immediate and severe reactions, such as headaches, nausea, respiratory issues, watery eyes, and skin reactions. Others may be affected by strong fragrances in different ways, such as feeling lightheaded or experiencing seizures.
It is important to be mindful of others' sensitivity to fragrances, especially in shared spaces like offices. If you or someone around you experiences discomfort due to fragrances, switching to unscented products or reducing the amount of perfume applied can help alleviate these issues.
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Some perfume ingredients are carcinogenic
The word 'fragrance' on a product label can cover dozens, or even hundreds, of chemicals used in beauty, cleaning, and home care products. Many of these fragrance chemicals are linked to harm to human health. Perfumers can choose from an International Fragrance Association (IFRA) palette of approximately 4,000 fragrance ingredients to create unique blends. However, due to laws that protect fragrance manufacturers from sharing "trade secrets", almost every perfume sold commercially contains chemicals that are not listed individually on the product packaging.
Some perfume ingredients have been linked to cancer. In July 2022, an expert panel convened by the National Academy of Sciences confirmed a federal interagency group's conclusion that styrene, a chemical used to produce a wide variety of everyday products, can cause cancer. Styrene was deemed a likely carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program in 2014. It is one of the 3,000-odd ingredients on the IFRA's "Transparency List" of ingredients that perfumers say they use in formulas for consumer products.
Other harmful ingredients in perfumes include musk ketone, which is widely used in cosmetics produced in Europe and has a low biodegradability in contrast to its high exposure rate. It is often found in human breast milk and fatty tissue, although whether or not this is dangerous is unclear.
The most toxic ingredient in perfumes, colognes, and aftershaves tends to be ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, which can be especially dangerous for children if ingested. While immediate, irreversible damage to health caused by one-time use of perfume or cologne ("perfume poisoning") is rare, some chemicals in perfumes can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation, such as contact dermatitis.
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Fragrances can trigger headaches and nausea
Some people are more sensitive to smells, and this sensitivity can manifest as an allergic reaction or irritation to certain chemicals or combinations of chemicals in a product. This is called "Fragrance Sensitivity". Common reactions include headaches, nausea, respiratory problems, watery eyes, itching, and burning sensations.
In addition, the effects of fragrances on people can be immediate and severe. A study by Anne Steinemann, Ph.D., found that 35% of Americans experience health issues due to scented products. The study recommends switching to unscented products if anything you use makes you feel unwell.
It is important to note that immediate, irreversible damage to health caused by one-time use of perfume is rare. However, there are well-founded concerns over the potential chemical reactions perfumes can trigger in the body.
If you are experiencing fragrance sensitivity, it is best to avoid the trigger and opt for fragrance-free products.
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Ethanol in perfumes can be dangerous for children
While perfume poisoning is rare, it is important to be aware of the dangers that perfumes can pose, especially to children. Most perfumes contain high amounts of ethanol, a type of alcohol that can be toxic and dangerous if ingested, particularly for young children.
Ethanol is a common ingredient in perfumes, colognes, and aftershaves, used to preserve and stabilize the desired scent. The amount of ethanol in these products can range from 50% to 99%. While a small amount of perfume ingestion may not cause serious harm in adults, it can have severe consequences for children. If a child ingests even a small amount, such as a teaspoon, it is crucial to act quickly. Contact a poison control center or a pediatrician immediately, and give the child a small, carb- or sugar-heavy snack to prevent their blood sugar from dropping to dangerous levels.
The effects of ethanol ingestion in children can be serious. Children may experience symptoms such as drowsiness, inebriation, slurred speech, depressed breathing, loss of coordination, seizures, or even loss of consciousness. These symptoms warrant immediate medical attention and a trip to the emergency room. In some cases, children may need to be kept in a hospital overnight for observation and to ensure their blood sugar levels remain stable.
It is important to keep fragrance products out of the reach of children and never apply them in their presence. If you do apply perfume to a child, ensure they understand never to use it on their own. Additionally, be mindful of the potential for skin irritation and allergic reactions, especially in those with sensitive skin. Fragrance products are a common cause of contact dermatitis, and it is recommended to switch to unscented products if any irritation occurs.
While the immediate health risks of ethanol ingestion in children are the most pressing concern, there are also long-term effects to consider. Some chemicals in perfumes, such as musk ketone, have low biodegradability and can build up in the body. The presence of these chemicals may be unclear, as manufacturers are not required to disclose all ingredients, instead listing them simply as "fragrance." These unknown chemicals and potential carcinogens can have unknown long-term effects on children's health.
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Perfume chemicals can cause skin irritation
While immediate, irreversible damage to health caused by one-time perfume use is rare, certain chemicals in perfumes can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Perfumes contain a multitude of chemicals that are not disclosed to the buyer. Some of these chemicals are allergens that can cause an inflammatory response in the skin, leading to allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). ACD is an itchy rash that appears on the skin that has been directly exposed to the irritating substance. It is not contagious but can be uncomfortable. Skin allergies to fragrance ingredients often involve the skin on the face, hands, or armpits.
Some common perfume chemicals that can cause skin irritation include synthetic musks, diethyl phthalate (DEP), methylene chloride, benzyl salicylate, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), benzophenone, and acetaldehyde. These chemicals have been linked to a range of detrimental health effects, including disruption to the reproductive system, development, and hormone balance, nervous system damage, respiratory issues, and eye and skin irritation.
In addition to the chemicals mentioned above, the high amounts of ethanol found in most perfumes can be especially dangerous, particularly for children. Ingesting even a small amount of perfume can be toxic and requires immediate medical attention.
If you experience skin irritation or other adverse reactions after using perfume, it is recommended to switch to unscented products and consult a physician to determine the specific allergens causing the reaction.
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Frequently asked questions
Symptoms of perfume poisoning include headaches, nausea, respiratory problems, watery eyes, itching, burning and red eyes, a runny nose, congestion, asthma, and skin reactions. In the case of children ingesting perfume, contact a poison control center or a pediatrician right away.
Some chemicals in perfumes are dangerous if they build up in the body. These include styrene, musk ketone, carcinogens, alcohols, and petroleum.
Fragrance sensitivity is an irritation or allergic reaction to a chemical or combination of chemicals in a product. It can cause headaches, nausea, respiratory problems, watery eyes, itching, burning and red eyes, a runny nose, congestion, asthma, and skin reactions.
Contact dermatitis usually resolves itself. However, some home remedies include washing the skin with gentle, dye-free soap and lukewarm water, soothing the area with calamine lotion, aloe vera, or coconut oil, and using hydrocortisone cream.
