Perfume allergy, what causes it? Symptoms and how to avoid allergic attacks

Perfume allergy, what causes it? Symptoms and how to avoid allergic attacks

Perfume allergy is an irritation that everyone is prone to developing, however there are tips to avoid, treatments and diagnoses.

Everyone likes to attract attention with a good perfume. There are countless existing fragrances and brands invest every year on new essences to attract the public. However, there are people who are allergic to perfume and are unable to use the product.

Brazilians use perfume for everything, and everything has a specific or special scent. Thus, there are perfumes with essences for work, for going out at night, for a date and even for staying at home.

According to the Brazilian Association of Toiletries, Perfumery and Cosmetics Industries (Abihpec), Brazil is the largest consumer of perfumes in the world. This market generated R$17.1 billion alone, for example.

However, not everyone has the ability to enjoy a good fragrance. It turns out that some people are allergic to perfume, whether due to application to the skin or the smell, and the reactions are diverse.

Main symptoms of perfume allergy

• Itchy nose;
• Itchy skin;
• Eczema eruptions;
• Skin irritation.
• Runny nose;
• Headache;
• Sneezing;
• Swollen and watery eyes;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Cough;
• Wheezing in the chest;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Dizziness.

What causes perfume allergies?

Among the possible causes of allergy – or irritation – to perfumes, one of them is high sensitivity to smell.

When inhaling a strong-smelling perfume, the body releases inflammatory cells, which generates an allergic reaction in the nose, itching, sneezing, among other symptoms. Therefore, people with asthma or respiratory illnesses may be more susceptible to fragrance allergies.

As far as skin reactions are concerned, it concerns the different substances contained in perfumes. Therefore, one of these ingredients is called rosin, a resin that is precisely intended to make the product last longer.

This substance can cause skin allergies from the first contact and this irritation can happen whenever you use any perfume, because if it is detected by a professional that it is actually an allergy, there is no cure for this disease.

In addition to rosin, there are other ingredients in perfume that can be toxic to those with highly sensitive skin or nose, such as olimonene, linalool, acetate and nilalyl anthranilate.

As for headaches, they generally come from very intense odors. When applying excessively strong-smelling perfumes, olfactory cells can stimulate the release of neurotransmitters and substances that dilate cerebral blood vessels, triggering pain, migraines and dizziness.

Tips and precautions when using perfume

In short, some care needs to be taken so that you do not develop an allergic reaction to perfumes. What many don’t know is that there is a time, place and climate to apply the product, thus avoiding some headaches.

1. Don’t bathe in perfume. You may not even have an allergy, but you may develop some sensitivity due to excess;
2. Don’t put on perfume if you’re going to sunbathe;
3. Choose perfumes from well-known brands, as there will be more reliability in the origin of the product;
4. Apply perfume to your clothes, if possible, to reduce contact with your skin;
5. Avoid using perfumes if you have dermatitis and are in crisis;
6. If you are using corticosteroids, avoid using perfumes;

What to do to avoid an allergy attack

If you have allergic reactions to perfumes, some precautions need to be taken. Firstly, it is recommended that you immediately stop using the product that has given you any reaction and seek out a professional for possible treatments.

It is recommended to only use products with a neutral smell, avoid perfumes with ingredients such as cinnamyl alcohol, comolyral, hydroxycitronellal, eugenol, geraniol, citral, coumarin, limonene, farnesol, HICC (synthetic), isoeugenol, linalool, cinnamal, among others. .

Furthermore, always keep environments open, leaving air circulation free, avoiding closed public environments, where the amount of odors is greater and more intense.

Last but not least, pay attention to the expiration date of the products used, avoid mixing different fragrances and prefer known brands.

How is perfume allergy treated?

Firstly, for an actual diagnosis it is necessary to consult a specialist. Among the professionals, you can consult with a general practitioner, dermatologist, allergist or an allergist.

The professional will recommend the best treatment for your type of problem. Generally, for mild, moderate or severe allergies, they ask that you stop using products that do not have a neutral perfume. If the allergy is confirmed, the treatment lasts for life, as there is no cure.

However, some anti-allergy medications can be included in your treatment to reduce symptoms during attacks.

For more serious cases, specific tests are necessary, such as an allergy skin test, for example, to identify which substance is most allergenic and thus indicate appropriate treatment.

What is the right way and where to apply the perfume?

What many don’t know is that there is the right way and the right places to apply perfume. Therefore, knowing where to apply the product helps you avoid irritation both to yourself and to others in the same environment.

The places that exude the most perfume are exposed areas, such as the back of the neck, the back of the ears, the region between the neck and breasts, knees, folds of the arms and wrists. When applied to these regions, the aroma invades the surrounding space. Therefore, applying perfume to your clothes instead of your skin is an option to avoid irritating your own body and that of those around you.

So, now that you know what a perfume allergy is, read also: Hyperhidrosis, what is it? Symptoms, treatments and who may have it.

Sources: Bem Estar, Viva Bem, Tua Saúde, News Medical.

Images: ArabicPost, Delas Ig, Dermatologia Cesar Bimbi, Daily Mail, Hipolabor, FreePik, Portal Imbira, Pinterest and Homem no Espelho.