- Odor allergy - what makes us allergic
- Odor allergy - diagnosis
- Odor allergy - how often does it occur
- Odor allergy - symptoms
- Odor allergy - what to avoid?
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Allergy to fragrances or allergy to fragrances is really bothersome. Why? Scientists prove that we come into contact with five thousand fragrances every day. Some are pleasant to us, some are indifferent, and some are repulsive. There are also some fragrances that make us irritable or just get sick. What smells most often sensitize? How is odor allergy diagnosed and treated?
Fragrance allergy( odor allergy ) most often manifests as allergic contact dermatitis or chronic urticaria. The characteristic places of appearance of changes are the skin of the face and hands. But an overreaction can also involve the respiratory tract.
An allergy to fragrances should not be equated with an allergy to cosmetics, because in the case of cosmetics, preservatives, including formalin and parabens, also have a significant influence on the triggering of an allergic reaction.
It is now believed that fragrance allergy is the second most common form of allergy after nickel allergy.
Sensitivity to fragrances can take the form of an allergy or make us feel unwell after contact with a smell, although we cannot explain why. Fragrances are present in cosmetics, household chemicals, food products and also in nature.
Odor allergy - what makes us allergic
Experts believe that there are over 5,000 fragrances that may sensitize us or cause annoying hypersensitivity to smell. Most often, however, an allergic reaction to the smell is caused by:
- cinnamon alcohol
- hydroxycytronellal
- Cinnamaldehyde
- isoeugenol
- eugenol
- ilang oil
- oakmoss absolute
- geraniol
Odor allergy - diagnosis
An allergy to a fragrance (fragrances) is diagnosed using patch tests, i.e. patch tests.
They consist of applying a sample of the allergen, in this case a fragrance, to a small pad that is stuck to the skin of the back for 48 hours. After this time the petals are removed and the first reading of the results is made.
Second readingis carried out after another 24 hours. Red, itchy or burning skin indicates an odor allergy.
To diagnose people sensitive to smells, two aroma cocktails are used, which are called A and P.
- Aromatic cocktail A contains cinnamic alcohol, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, oakmoss absolute, hydroxycytronellal, eugenol, isoeugenol, geraniol (+ white petrolatum), cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamal, amyl cinnamal, evernia prunastri ex-tract , hydroxycitronellal, eugenol, isoeugenol, geraniol.
- Aromatic cocktail P is cinnamon oil, citronella oil (+ white petrolatum), innamomum zeylanicum oil, cymbopogon winterianus herb oil.
Odor allergy - how often does it occur
The allergy to the fragrance composition affects about 7.6% of the population. Assuming that the population of Poland is approximately 38 million people, an allergy to the fragrance composition affects approximately 3 million Poles.
One study showed an allergic reaction to at least one of the fragrances tested in 26% of men and 74% of women.
Sometimes an allergy to a fragrance is a professional allergy. It happens in the case of beauticians, hairdressers, cleaners, food industry workers, employees of companies producing cosmetics and household chemicals.
Odor allergy - symptoms
An allergy to fragrances can occur in anyone, but people suffering from allergies and asthma are definitely more sensitive to them. Fragrances are not, by themselves, allergens like pollen or animal skin.
Real allergens activate the human immune system to fight the intruder (allergen), which leads to the development of inflammation, which can manifest itself, for example, through watery eyes or runny nose.
Irritating substance does not mobilize the immune system, although symptoms resulting from exposure to it may be similar. There are two main groups of odor sensitivity symptoms, which include respiratory symptoms (stuffy nose, watery eyes, hay fever-like nasal discharge) and skin symptoms.
If you are a person sensitive to odors, you may experience headache, difficulty breathing, sometimes chest tightness, or worsening of asthma symptoms and sneezing after contact with a fragrance.
Another symptom, especially after exposure to flavored cosmetics, but also after inhalation, is skin redness or a rash.
In particularly sensitive people, as well as in people suffering from atopicdermatitis, you may get a red and itchy rash. It resembles skin irritation after burn with nettles.
Odor allergy - what to avoid?
In short, everything that smells, but that's not possible in everyday life, because some things are beyond our control.
People allergic to fragrances should avoid perfumed cosmetics, detergents and household chemicals, scented candles, air fresheners at home and in the car.
It is also important to give up fresh flowers in your home that give off a strong smell, such as lilies, hyacinths, freesias, lilies of the valley or lilacs.
For a person allergic to fragrances, it is important whether the cosmetics or perfumes used by their relatives are the cause of the intensification of allergy symptoms. If this is the case, ask your relatives to change, for example, their perfume or use fragrance-free cosmetics.
Chemicals used during renovation works are also extremely irritating. Paints, oils, solvents and other similar products contain chemical substances that can smell very irritating.
People who are allergic should avoid staying in such places, especially with asthma or other respiratory or skin diseases.
About the author
Anna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, twice the "Crystal Pen" in the national competition for journalists promoting he alth, and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.
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