Fragrances and Asthma / Allergies

Jennifer, such an important topic and a great reminder for the people that suffer from breathing issues.

Jennifer, I do not have a breathing sensitivity to perfumes, but I do intensely dislike the smells of heavy perfumes on people, and especially in a shopping mall or cosmetic counter in a department store. I also know people who have to avoid going to the shopping malls because of this. Personally II have had to change seats at an event because of the unpleasant smell.

I don't like to use strong scents, but I have a question - What about the hand lotions that come in 'original scents' (Jergens, Johnson Baby Lotion, etc)? I understand that you don't use them, but what about if another person uses them in a moderate/normal on their hands around you? Are you sensitive to those?

Thanks for asking. Some mild fragrances in lotions are tolerable and some are not. My mom got in my car with some highly fragranced lotion on her face and I started reacting right away with trouble breathing and I put on my respirator. She washed her face when we got where we were going. I have trouble at hotels. Some have fancy designer soaps that set off my asthma. Basic Neutrogena soap at the hotel hasn't bothered me, but at home I use unscented soaps and lotions. Some things which natural scents like lemon or grapefruit are fine. I did have trouble with a rose scented liquid soap, but that wasn't a natural scent, it was manufactured and really smelled awful to me, not anything like an actual rose flower. I have trouble just walking through the grocery store sections with laundry detergent (I use fragrance free) and even outside when neighbors doing laundry with fragrances coming out of the dryer vent will bother me. I always sniff test anything in the store first before bringing that home. Jergens and Johnson's might be tolerable, but I'd have to test that and let you know. Another issue at hotels is carpet powder that is not only scented, but has fine talc dust in it. I now take a respirator to sleep with if I find myself in that situation. I try to ask about that before I make reservations, and sometimes the staff doesn't know what the cleaning staff does.

This topic is closely related to the discussion that @chicagomichelle @peggyj4411 @ladycat and others started:

* Heavy perfume in medical facilities, or anywhere, really https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/heavy-perfume-in-medical-facilities-or-anywhere-really

A topic worth repeating.

@colleenyoung Thanks! I didn't know that discussion was there, and it is a good one. I've experienced this too. This is very much like it was back when smoking was allowed in the work place, and I'm probably telling you my age by saying this. It took many years until there was enough awareness and concern that workplace and public spaces policies changed regarding smoking. I see fragrances the same way. Unfortunately some view this as their right to personal expression, and some view it as hygiene... if it smells good, it must be clean. We all know that's not true. I think my mom used Pinesol to mop the floors, and now I'm very allergic to Pine Turpenes, and being exposed to turpentine shuts down my lungs and gives me a big headache. Having reactive lungs is a disability. Mopping the floor with water works pretty well too. Marketing and advertising creates the demand for fragrance in products and then brings the exposure to those who are sensitive that didn't get a choice.

This is a great topic! I was diagnosed with asthma a little over 3 years ago. Doc said that I have probably had it all of my life, but it was late in life when it was diagnosed. Perfumes really are triggers for me, as well as room fresheners, candles, cigarette smoke, and a host of other things. I also have a sweet Manx cat who has asthma and was diagnosed almost 10 years ago. I have to be very careful using different things around him. Yes, he uses Flovent daily and has rescue inhaler in the event he has an attack.

@baz10 Yes, all those are my triggers too. Just smelling smoke on someone's clothes is enough to trigger me. I was just at Mayo seeing a pulmonologist about my breathing issues. I have 3 cats, all short haired rescues that I am allergic to. I didn't think I was allergic because I don't sneeze around them, but my allergy doctor tested me, and sure enough... so I do allergy shots for cats in addition to other things. I thought it was working, but cat dander is sticky and makes phlegm stickier. I was having too much phlegm in my lungs that I was having a lot of trouble clearing. I've figured out that I can tolerate the kitties in the bedroom by wearing a paper surgeon type mask with ear loops when I sleep in addition to the HEPA filter that I have next to the bed blowing on my face. This is working, and I'm not waking up with stuff to clear out, and I do better all day long. We are kind of vulnerable when sleeping while phlegm from allergies collects.

I have heard of cats with asthma too before, so for myself and the kitties I'm looking to get a HEPA robot vacuum and get the room to be nearly allergy free by cleaning it often. I am breathing easier now without inhalers. The masks are 3M # 1820 Procedure Masks with > 99% @ 0.1 Micron particles for bacterial filtration efficiency. I carry them or a respirator around because I never know when I'll be exposed to something irritating to my lungs. I often pet my kitties with a wet hand to wipe off dander or roll a lint roller on them, and of course I do the usual things like encasing the pillows and mattress against dust and vacuuming. It's nice to hear that you take good care of your cat. All of mine were born on the street and came from shelters, and I promised them a good life, and I can enjoy them with a few simple changes on my part.

@jenniferhunter Thank you for this thread. I too am very sensitive to certain odors. I have lost my voice from certain hairspray that was used on someone in the next chair. I sneeze and wheeze. It's so inconsiderate of people who don't stop wearing it in confined spaces!

I am sensitive to heavily fragranced products too. I wish the general public without these sensitivities could be more considerate of those who do suffer from this, but I write it off to ignorance. What I don't understand is why some doctors' offices choose use fragrance plug-ins and in their waiting rooms and small-sized patient restrooms. Health care professionals should know better.

@jubilee I agree, healthcare professionals should know better. I have seen a lot of hospital nurses wearing fragrances too even when there is a note on the room door that someone is chemically sensitive to it. I've had conversations with a nurse supervisor about this, but it didn't really help. I'm usually the one who accompanied family members with hospital visits. I can say that when I was a surgical patient at Mayo, no one came in my room with fragrances. I know I can't always choose to come to Mayo for care, but if I lived closer, I sure would. I've never had issues anywhere at Mayo with fragrances on employees or in public spaces.