Heavy perfume in medical facilities, or anywhere, really
How do we get through to people that this could actually cause great respiratory distress? Even death.
I told a hotel guest the other day, in the kindest way possible, that I was allergic to her and she needed to understand what her chemical scent could do to those with respitory issues. She was headed to Mayo. I imagined the poor patients with even more severe conditions. It was the first time I ever said that to anyone's face, but felt it needed to be said.
I've experienced this a great deal this week, even with clinic staff. To date, I've had 0 complaints about MC, but I hope they are listening now and will work to make their buildings perfume free.
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I thought the same. Change Drs.
Whoops, I just noticed a second ago I have been spelling your name wrong! I apologize profusely! I have Rapid Advancing Wet Macular Degeneration in both eyes and cataracts, so my vision kind of sucks. Still, I should have been more careful, Rosemarya! Again, my most sincere apologies! Virtual hugs from New York, Peggy
Oh Michelle, you are going through pure Hell! What a horrible experience when you are so sick! The pneumonia alone could have killed you---and having sepsis and that wicked norovirus on top of it, yeeech! I never heard of that ventricle problem before, geez Michelle, that experience is positively awful. God must want you to live for a really good reason--to teach the medical profession a thing or two. You are an incredibely brave person. Start getting better, ya hear? We need you on this wonderful site! Love, Peggy
@peggyj4411, Peggy, you spelled my name correctly. It is Rosemary. I do not have a sensitivity to heavy perfume smells, other than an intense dislike for some fragrances. When I read some of these replies, I begin to learn how terrible it must be for you with sensitivity to fragrances.
Have you had an opportunity to speak with your Social Worker yet?
Have you considered speaking with one of the nurses or aides with whom you have a good relationship. Perhaps if you appeal for help from one of them, your concerns might be heard and maybe acted upon.
Rosemary
Hi Rosemary! Thank you for all those great replies; it is so encouraging to communicate with someone who is so sympathetic to me! No, I haven't spoken with my Social Worker yet but I am due to see her early next week anyway. I am trying to work up conversations with the nurses and aides, but it is difficult. I tell them they smell great (actually, most of them do!) but it's kind of hard for me to breathe without the oxygen when I am around a lot of those (quote) "luscious smells". So far I have been ignored or given a dirty look, so I drop the subject. Any approach to perfumes and my respiratory problems usually get ignored, so at the moment I am rather discouraged. I never came out and said I am allergic to your scents; could you please go easy on the perfumes. Another problem, Rosemary, is that these ladies also use a lot of different--smelling hair spray and other hair goop, like gels, mousse, coconut oil, etc. I am violently allergic to all things coconut! Fortunately, not many of these girls saturate themselves with it. I will get back to you for some help on still another allergy misery, perfumed strips in fashion magazines! Gotta go, thank you again for all the many nice things you've helped mw with!
I would order magazines without perfume or when I get a magazine that way I rip out those pages. I agree with u - they stink.
@peggyj4411 Oh dear Peggy, I am so sorry you are going through this. It's so hard to get those who wear heavy scents to understand. Maybe you can find some back up articles on line and have them ready for when you meet with your social worker. They have to take you seriously. Please do not worry about offending those wearing the scents, they are polluting your fresh air and this is wrong. You would think that in 2017, people should be acutely aware of this.
Today, I hired a "task rabbit" to wash 3 loads of clothes and put fresh sheets on my bed. When she showed up, I could smell her perfume! My heart sank and I unfortunately said nothing. I guess I was pretty desperate for clean sheets. I will never hire someone again without stating no perfumes please. I'm hoping my bedding did not get too terribly tainted.
If you would like some help with talking to the social worker, you are welcome to have them call me. You can say I'm a friend who suffers from the same issue. Maybe 2 voices can be stronger than one here. In any case, please do not give up, you have the right to fresh air. Please stay strong and keep fighting for this and if you would like me to help you, let me know and I will send you my number. xo Michelle
I ask cleaners to wash the perfume off. One person who objected to this wound up being a nut job. They usually are sympathetic.
I don't like having allergies - can't do anything about it, in spite of urging that I get used to the smell of picking up dog waste. Do you think its possible to get used to offending smells?
The problem is when it's permeated the persons clothing, it can't really be wiped off then.
For me, it is worse when I have a respitory infection. My senses become heightened and I react to everything. I believe the infection I currently have has been brewing since I last left Mayo. I needed to stay in a Minneapolis hotel that was brand new and still smelled of paint. My eyes burned the entire time there. When I came home, I tried to drink from a bottle of water in my fridge. It was a plastic Gatorade bottle and I could literally taste the chemicals in the plastic. That probably should have been my first clue. It's a terrible thing to have to live with, especially when it's not well understood.
Dear members, @mari, @chicagomichelle, @peggyj4411, @ladycat, @katemn, It appears to me that along with the fragrance and scent allergies and reactions, that there is also a severe reaction to certain medications. So I am wondering if any of you wear a medical alert ID to inform medical care response team in case of an emergency. I wear one, it is on a very nice bracelet that I selected specifically for that purpose. Mine is in case of emergency to alert due to my immunosuppression for transplant medications. It also comes in handy to show to a doubting ER intake person!
Sending you warm thoughts today. And hope of sunshine tomorrow.
Rosemary