Heidi Norton
Fragrances are a combination of ingredients that create a scent, and they can be natural or synthetic. Synthetic fragrances are created in labs and are almost always 100% synthetic unless stated otherwise. Research has shown that certain chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact the nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to anxiety, heart palpitations, and even depression. Fragrance sensitivity is a common issue, with symptoms ranging from respiratory issues to watery eyes and migraines. While the exact biological mechanisms are not fully understood, studies have found a link between long-term use of scented products and reduced heart rate variability (HRV), which is associated with an increased risk of negative health effects such as heart attacks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fragrance sensitivity | Irritation of the respiratory tract or mucous membranes of the eyes |
| Symptoms | Sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, nausea, dizziness, skin redness, skin irritation, rash, migraines, watery eyes, respiratory issues, shortness of breath, congestion, non-allergic rhinitis, central nervous system disorders, severe depression |
| Causes | Fragrances containing α-pinene (APN), limonene (LIM), linalool (LIL), and eugenol (EUG), diethyl phthalate (DEP), synthetic musks |
| Impact | 1 in 3 adults claim to have experienced health problems caused by fragranced products; 51.5% of people sensitive to smells avoid certain places if they know fragrances will make them sick; 26% of people will experience an anxiety condition in their lifetime; 9.5% of the population have lost workdays or lost a job due to illness from fragrance exposure |
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What You'll Learn
Fragrance sensitivity
The symptoms of fragrance sensitivity can vary and may include respiratory difficulties such as coughing, shortness of breath, and sneezing. Other symptoms include itchy eyes, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and skin irritation. In some cases, fragrance sensitivity can also trigger an allergic response or an asthma attack, although the reason for this is not yet clear. The specific triggers can vary, and identifying the offending fragrance can be challenging. It is often a matter of recognizing patterns and paying attention to individual triggers.
The health effects of fragrance sensitivity can be immediate and severe, and in some cases, individuals may experience disability. Some people have reported missing work or losing their jobs due to illness caused by exposure to fragrances in the workplace. As a result, many workplaces and institutions have implemented scent-free or scent-reduction policies to accommodate individuals with fragrance sensitivity.
Managing fragrance sensitivity typically involves avoiding offending fragrances. This may involve choosing unscented or fragrance-free products, using alternative cleaning solutions, and opting for fake flowers instead of real ones. In situations where exposure is unavoidable or symptoms persist, over-the-counter medications can be used to manage symptoms, such as pain relievers or nasal decongestants.
While fragrance sensitivity is a recognized condition, the science behind it is still being explored. The specific mechanisms by which fragrances cause physiological and psychological symptoms are not yet fully understood. Additionally, the lack of transparency in fragrance ingredient labels makes it challenging to identify specific triggers and assess their safety.
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Respiratory issues
Fragrances can be found not only in perfumes and colognes but also in air fresheners, soaps, shampoos, deodorants, laundry detergents, dryer sheets, bug sprays, e-cigarettes, and candles. They can cause respiratory issues even in people without asthma or allergies. Fragrance sensitivity is when your airways are irritated by ingredients or chemicals in natural or manufactured scents. It can be triggered by a wide variety of organic and artificial chemicals in a variety of scents. The most common substances that induce fragrance sensitivity include α-pinene (APN), limonene (LIM), linalool (LIL), and eugenol (EUG).
Symptoms of fragrance sensitivity include sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, nausea, dizziness, and skin redness, irritation, and a prickly rash. In some cases, it can also trigger an allergic response or an asthma attack. Fragrance sensitivity can be especially aggravating if you are repeatedly exposed to the irritant in your workplace or at a friend's house.
To manage fragrance sensitivity, it is best to avoid offending fragrances. This can be done by buying unscented soaps and lotions, decorating with fake flowers, and banning cigarettes indoors. If you cannot avoid exposure, you can use over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers or nasal decongestants to treat the symptoms.
Research has also shown that some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact your nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to feelings of anxiety, heart palpitations, and even depression. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics discovered that the average commercial perfume contains fourteen secret chemicals not disclosed on the ingredients label, including those associated with hormone disruption and central nervous system disorders.
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Allergic responses
The irritation caused by fragrance sensitivity can also trigger an allergic response or an asthma attack in some people, although experts are unsure why. Fragrance sensitivity is not uncommon and can be especially aggravating if exposure is repeated in the workplace or social settings. In such cases, it is advisable to speak up and inform friends, family members, and colleagues about your sensitivities.
A perfume or fragrance allergy occurs when there is an allergic reaction to an allergen in the perfume. Allergens are organic proteins that cause an inflammatory response in the body, leading to allergy symptoms. Most allergic reactions to perfumes manifest as itchy red rashes that disappear soon after exposure. However, some reactions can be more severe and may require immediate medical attention. These rare severe symptoms include swelling in the mouth, lips, or tongue, and anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening and requires emergency medical assistance.
To manage perfume allergies, it is crucial to identify the specific allergen causing the reaction. Contact allergen testing, such as patch tests, can help determine the triggers. Once the allergen is identified, it is essential to avoid exposure to it. Additionally, light therapy, including blue or red light treatment, can help reduce the immune system response on the skin, promoting tissue repair.
The chemicals used in synthetic fragrances have been linked to adverse effects on the nervous system, hormones, and mental health. Research has found that some chemicals in perfumes are associated with hormone disruption, central nervous system disorders, and severe depression due to alterations in brain biochemistry. The specific chemicals contributing to these issues include diethyl phthalate (DEP) and synthetic musks, which are known hormone disruptors.
To minimize the risk of allergic reactions, it is recommended to avoid products with "fragrance" on the label, as this term can represent a hundred or more undisclosed chemical compounds. Instead, opt for products that do not contain artificial ingredients or chemicals known to trigger reactions.
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Asthma attacks
Fragrances and strong odors have been characterized as putative triggers that may exacerbate asthma symptoms. Many asthmatics avoid odours and fragranced products, and for good reason. Fragranced consumer products can emit a range of air pollutants and trigger adverse health effects. Perfumes, in particular, are triggering because they are commonly made with chemicals derived from coal tar and petrol, which help them stick to the object they are sprayed on.
Research shows that some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact your nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to (or exacerbating) feelings of anxiety, heart palpitations, and even depression. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has long admitted that poor air quality, poisoned by chemicals, contributes to neurological ailments including fatigue, dizziness, migraines, and forgetfulness.
In a nationally representative sample, 26.8% of respondents were medically diagnosed with asthma or an asthma-like condition. Results indicate that 64.3% of asthmatics report one or more types of adverse health effects from fragranced products, including respiratory problems (43.3%), migraine headaches (28.2%), and asthma attacks (27.9%). Overall, asthmatics were more likely to experience adverse health effects from fragranced products than non-asthmatics.
Among asthmatics, being in a room after it has been cleaned with scented products was associated with health problems for 42.3%, and being near someone wearing a fragranced product was associated with health problems for 46.2%. Air fresheners and deodorizers were associated with health problems for 41.0% of asthmatics, and scented laundry products were associated with health problems for 28.9%.
If you experience asthma attacks triggered by fragrances, avoidance of harmful fragrances is key. The organically occurring scents that are not triggering are very simple concoctions, like rose water. Take the time to look at what’s in the fragrance. If you can’t read the ingredients in 10 seconds or less, chances are there’s more than you want in it. That means more chances of something that doesn’t agree with your lungs. Simple products exist in every category: perfume, sprays, deodorant, air fresheners, shampoos, soaps, and even toothpaste.
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Hormone disruption
The fragrance industry is largely self-regulated, and companies are not required to disclose all ingredients used in their perfumes. This makes it challenging to determine the exact impact of perfumes on hormone disruption. However, research has linked certain chemicals commonly found in perfumes to potential hormone disruption.
One study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that commercial perfumes contain an average of fourteen undisclosed chemicals, including those associated with hormone disruption and bioaccumulation in human fatty tissue. Some of the specific chemicals identified as hormone disruptors include diethyl phthalate (DEP), a preservative known to affect thyroid function and reproductive health, and synthetic musks, which can bioaccumulate in humans and the environment, causing hormone disruption.
Additionally, octoxynols and nonoxynols, commonly used as emulsifiers, are known to affect hormone balance. Synthetic musk compounds, which mimic the natural scent of musk, are also linked to endocrine disruption and allergic reactions. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde, emitted from perfumes, can cause short-term symptoms like headaches and long-term health risks, including an increased risk of cancer.
It is important to note that the impact of these chemicals may depend on the dosage and frequency of exposure. Some experts argue that the quantity of potential hormone disruptors in perfumes is too small to have a significant effect on the human body. However, others emphasize the need for informed choices and suggest choosing products labeled "phthalate-free," "paraben-free," or "BPA-free."
While the link between perfumes and hormone disruption is not yet fully understood, ongoing research and increasing public awareness continue to shed light on this complex topic.
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Frequently asked questions
Research shows that some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact your nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to (or exacerbating) feelings of anxiety, heart palpitations, and even depression.
Fragrance sensitivity can cause symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, nausea, dizziness, migraines, watery eyes, and respiratory issues.
The most common substances that induce fragrance sensitivity include α-pinene (APN), limonene (LIM), linalool (LIL), and eugenol (EUG).
You can manage your fragrance sensitivity by avoiding exposure to fragrances, using over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers or nasal decongestants, and taking your usual asthma or allergy medications if needed.
