Antonio Mcgowan
Fragrances are everywhere, from perfumes and colognes to laundry and cleaning products, personal care products, air fresheners, and scented candles. However, some people may experience adverse effects when exposed to these fragrances. Fragrance fatigue, also known as olfactory fatigue or nasal fatigue, can cause people to become desensitized to certain smells over time. In addition, some individuals may have a fragrance allergy or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), leading to symptoms such as headaches, body aches, fatigue, respiratory issues, and eye irritation. The chemicals present in fragrances can also have harmful effects on the body, with some being classified as neurotoxins and potential carcinogens. Understanding the impact of fragrances on our health is crucial, especially considering the widespread use of scented products in our daily lives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Phenomenon | Olfactory fatigue, nasal fatigue, fragrance fatigue, or olfactory adaptation |
| Cause | The body desensitizes itself to stimulation over time to prevent nervous system overload |
| Impact | Mentally and physically draining |
| Solution | Alternate fragrances, smell something acidic like coffee or lemons, or smell the sleeve of your shirt |
| Health Issues | Respiratory problems, migraines, eye irritation, dizziness, nausea, mental cloudiness, etc. |
| Fragrance Chemicals | Over 80,000 petrochemicals, 5,000+ in personal care products, and 600+ synthetic petrochemicals in products labeled "fragrance" |
| Health Risks | Cancer, liver damage, kidney damage, immune and reproductive system damage, neurotoxins |
| Fragrance Allergies | Difficult to identify due to lack of transparency in product packaging |
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What You'll Learn
Fragrance fatigue
Fragrances can make some people tired due to fragrance fatigue, also known as olfactory fatigue, nasal fatigue, odor habituation, olfactory adaptation, or noseblindness. It is the temporary inability to distinguish a particular odour after prolonged exposure to it.
The olfactory system is robust, but if it is exposed to a continuous stream of constant odorants (perfume, flavour, or noxious environmental odour), one can lose their sensitivity to it. This happens because the body becomes desensitized to stimuli to prevent overloading the nervous system, thus allowing it to respond to new stimuli. For example, if you never got nasal fatigue towards the perfume you wear, you would have a more difficult time smelling the spoiled chicken in the fridge because the perfume would mask the odour.
To combat fragrance fatigue, it is recommended to alternate between two or more fragrances. This is a common strategy employed by sellers and stockers of fragrances to keep their customers sensitive to the product's fragrance. There are also ways to trick your brain into regaining sensitivity to smells, such as smelling something with a bit of acidity like coffee or lemons, or smelling the sleeve of your shirt due to the soaps in the fabrics or skincare products.
In addition to fragrance fatigue, strong fragrances can also cause health issues for some people. A survey of 1,098 Australians found that one-third of respondents experienced health issues due to scented products, including respiratory problems, migraines, eye irritation, dizziness, nausea, and mental cloudiness.
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Health issues caused by scented products
Scented products can cause a range of health issues, and it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with their use. Fragrances are often made up of a multitude of chemicals, which can have adverse effects on our bodies.
One of the most common issues caused by scented products is fragrance fatigue, or olfactory fatigue. This is when our sense of smell becomes desensitized to a particular fragrance over time. This can lead to a decreased ability to smell other things, as the olfactory bulb, which processes smells, is linked to the part of the brain that controls emotions and associative learning.
However, the health concerns related to scented products go beyond fragrance fatigue. A survey of 1,098 Australians found that one-third of respondents experienced health issues due to scented products. These issues included respiratory problems, migraines, eye irritation, sneezing, dizziness, nausea, and mental cloudiness.
The chemicals in fragrances are often undisclosed, with products simply listing \"fragrance\" as an ingredient. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to know what chemicals we are exposing ourselves to. Some of these chemicals have been linked to chronic health issues, including cancer, and can contribute to indoor air pollution, affecting the health of those around us, including children and pets.
To reduce potential health risks, it is recommended to switch to unscented products or natural alternatives. Controlling what you can is a good place to start, and there are resources available to help reduce exposure to toxic scented products.
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Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
MCS is also referred to as Chemical Sensitivity (CS), Chemical Intolerance (CI), Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance (IEI), and Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT). It is considered an acquired disorder, meaning it develops later in life rather than being present from birth. The symptoms of MCS can arise gradually over time from repeated low-level chemical exposures or, in some cases, immediately after a single high-level exposure.
The underlying cause of MCS is still unknown and disputed, with biological and psychological hypotheses proposed. Some healthcare providers question whether MCS is a primary medical illness, suggesting that the symptoms may be caused by anxiety or another psychiatric illness. However, others in the medical field and some organizations agree that MCS involves physical reactions to substances. Recent imaging studies have indicated that MCS is likely a neurological condition.
MCS is a recognized debilitating illness in several countries, including Germany, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Japan, and Canada. These countries have assigned billing codes to include the disorder within their healthcare systems. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not assigned a separate code for MCS within the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).
Symptoms of MCS typically include fatigue, headaches, nausea, and dizziness, and can vary in severity. About half of people with MCS improve over time, while the other half continue to experience symptoms, sometimes severely. Managing MCS involves avoiding known triggers and seeking specialized medical care.
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Natural alternatives to perfumes
Strong fragrances can cause health issues for some people. A survey of 1,098 Australians found that one-third of respondents experienced health issues due to scented products, including respiratory problems, migraines, eye irritation, and nausea.
If you experience fragrance fatigue or health issues due to scented products, you may want to consider switching to natural alternatives. Here are some suggestions for natural alternatives to perfumes:
- Natural perfumes made from essential oils, such as lavender or vanilla extract. However, it's important to note that essential oils may not be hypoallergenic, and you may still be sensitive to them.
- Perfume oils, such as vanilla-infused oil, which you can make yourself using a crockpot.
- Dried lavender, which you can put in your dryer so your clothes smell like it.
- Fragrance lockets, where you can put a small amount of perfume oil on a lava stone bracelet.
- Brands that focus on natural ingredients, such as Henry Rose or Skylar, which was created with allergies in mind.
Additionally, some natural fragrances aim to replicate popular perfume scents using natural ingredients. For example, the following fragrances are designed to be similar to cult favourites:
- Chanel Chance: This natural alternative has notes of jasmine, iris, patchouli, pink pepper, musk, and vanilla.
- Midnight Ruze: A fruity-floral fragrance with black currants, May rose, freesia, vanilla patchouli, and ambroxan.
- Daisy: A violet fragrance with ylang-ylang, musk, jasmine, and nutmeg.
- Aura-Soma 30: A crisp and optimistic scent with musk, vanilla, jasmine, pear, pink pepper, and orange blossom.
- 2021 Miss Dior: A floral fragrance with top notes of iris, peony, and lily-of-the-valley, and base notes of vanilla, musk, and sandalwood.
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How to regain sensitivity to smells
The phenomenon of becoming tired of a perfume or unable to smell it after prolonged use is called fragrance fatigue, olfactory fatigue, nasal fatigue, or olfactory adaptation. It occurs because our body desensitizes itself to stimulation over time to prevent overloading our nervous system.
To regain sensitivity to smells, there are a few tricks you can try. Firstly, you can smell something with a bit of acidity, like coffee or lemons, or even the sleeve of your shirt, as this has been shown to reset your sensitivity to a smell due to the soaps used in your laundry or skincare products. Secondly, you can alternate between two or more fragrances each month to keep your sense of smell sensitive to the different scents.
In some cases, however, a heightened sense of smell or hyperosmia may be the reason why certain perfumes or fragrances make you tired. Hyperosmia is a complication of an underlying condition, and treating that condition can help alleviate the symptoms. Some of the conditions associated with hyperosmia include neurologic conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and epilepsy, as well as migraine, pregnancy, Lyme disease, and vitamin B12 deficiency. If you suspect that you may have hyperosmia, consult a healthcare professional for advice and treatment options.
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Frequently asked questions
Perfumes contain petroleum chemicals, which can cause health issues such as respiratory problems, migraines, dizziness, and mental cloudiness. These issues can lead to fatigue and tiredness.
You can switch to using unscented or natural products, or use fragrances with lower concentrations of fragrance oils. Alternating between two or more fragrances can also help prevent fragrance fatigue and reduce the negative impacts of perfumes.
Fragrance fatigue, or olfactory fatigue, can affect people differently. Some people may have a higher sensitivity to chemical fragrances due to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). It's important to be mindful of others' sensitivity to fragrances and opt for fragrance-free options in shared spaces.
