Perfume Allergy Sufferers Face Increased Dangers

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Many more people are allergic to fragrances that you realise. Because a lot of products nowadays are scented, having a perfume allergy can be pretty inconvenient.

Symptoms of a perfume allergy include rashes on the skin, migraine attack, uncontrollable sneezing, dizziness, nausea, weakness, and watery eyes. Although allergies to perfume can be mild at first, frequent exposure can bring about more symptoms.

In the past, fragrances were reserved for luxury or special occasion products. Starting in the 1970s consumers began to see daily use products with fragrance added. During the 1950s the use of fragrance in products increased ten-fold and by the 1980s the fragrance industry had doubled in size.

The products that contain fragrances include household products, pesticides and cosmetics. In fact, it will be hard for you to find products that do not contain any perfume.

A sufferer of perfume allergy can easily get a reaction just by standing or being close to another person who is wearing fragrances. He or she can also start to hives on the skin after wearing clothing washed in scented laundry detergent. Walking into a neighbour’s home filled with the fragrance of a scented candle can also send the sufferer to nausea or a splitting headache.

A sufferer of perfume allergy may not always realise what he or she is sensitive to, since the symptoms are pretty common. An inability to focus and concentrate or a mild discomfort may be what he or she initially experiences. However, at the worst, breathing difficulties can also be experienced, with the threat of anaphylaxis.

If you suspect that you have a perfume allergy, then it is important that you be extremely selective in the products that you use. Over time, it is also possible to build up a toxic load even with what seems like a small exposure initially. Scents are everywhere. You may even need to avoid certain places if you find yourself having severe reactions in these locations.

Jun

10

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Cause Allergy Reactions

Filed Under Allergy Symptoms, Allergy Prevention, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity | Leave a Comment

Multiple chemical senstivity refers to a condition caused by an exposure to a wide range of chemicals that can range from a chemical spill, to poor ventilation in an office environment. Other terms that have also been frequently used to describe the same thing include “environmental illness” or “sick building syndrome”.

Unfortunately, many medical groups do not actually consider MCS to be a recognized physical disorder since there is a lack of clinical evidence supporting the existence of this condition. Yet, there are several cases of sufferers complaining about the effects of MCS - including anxiety, depression and other mental disorders that may express in physical symptoms - making it difficult to assess whether the symptoms are physical or psychologically based.

Other symptoms of MCS reported include fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, irritability, concentration problems, intolerance to cold or to heat, earaches, congestion of the nasal passages, itching, sneezing, memory problems, diarrhea,chest pain, muscle pain, sore throat, skin rashes or hives and also mood changes.

Many products have been identified as possible allergens leading to MCS. They include: tobacco smoke, perfume, exhaust from gasoline fumes, nail polish remover, newspaper ink, artificial food preservatives, hair spray or paint spray, insecticides, artificial sweeteners and colors, new carpeting, felt tip pens, adhesive tape, chlorine in pools, and also flame retardants on clothing or furniture.

Sadly, many doctors do not recognize MCS, and will not give a diagnosis. This makes research studies difficult due to lack of statistics. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported that 1/3 of individuals working in sealed buildings have claimed to be sensitive to one or more chemicals. Females are more likely than males to complain of MCS. Findings indicate that MCS develops more often in the 30 to 50 age group.

Doctors who support the idea of MCS make the diagnosis by conducting a complete medical examination, looking into the medical history, and ordering diagnostic tests such as X-rays, and blood tests. Allergies are ruled out as well as other mental health disorders, physical ailments and other causes for symptoms, for a conclusion.

The only way to treat MCS is probably to stay alert to symptoms and to remove yourself as much as possible to an exposure to chemicals. There are also support groups that you can join, if you believe that MCS is the case for you.

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