Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Prevention
With a fragrance sensitivity, symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes develop in response to scents like perfumes, flowers, incense, and cigarette smoke. Fragrance sensitivity can happen to anyone but is more likely if you haveasthmaor allergies.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of fragrance sensitivities. It also discusses how they can be treated and prevented.
Theresa Chiechi / Verywell
Fragrance Sensitivity Symptoms
The symptoms of fragrance sensitivity generally develop within minutes of exposure to a scent. You can expect the symptoms to last from a few minutes to several hours.
The triggering scents can differ from person to person along with the severity of symptoms. Symptoms tend to be worse the longer the exposure or the stronger the scent.
Fragrance sensitivity can cause symptoms such as:
Associated Symptoms
Fragrance sensitivity can cause other symptoms as well. This generally only occurs if you’ve had prolonged breathing exposure or have come into contact with a substance like a perfume.
In the former case, the extended inhalation of a scent might lead to nausea and dizziness. In the latter case, direct skin exposure might lead tocontact irritant dermatitis, manifesting with skin redness, irritation, and a prickly rash.
When to Seek Medical CareSeek immediate medical attention if you experience the following after inhaling any scent or chemical:Shortness of breathWheezingDrowsinessChest tightnessPalpitations(skipped heartbeats)Chest painFainting
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following after inhaling any scent or chemical:Shortness of breathWheezingDrowsinessChest tightnessPalpitations(skipped heartbeats)Chest painFainting
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following after inhaling any scent or chemical:
The most common substances that induce fragrance sensitivity include α-pinene (APN), limonene (LIM), linalool (LIL), and eugenol (EUG).
Some of the common culprits of fragrance sensitivity include:
It is also believed that for some people there may be a psychological component to the response.
Fragrance Sensitivity vs. AllergyAlthough fragrance sensitivity is not uncommon in people with allergies, it is not a true allergy. A true allergy involves an immune response in which a protein calledimmunoglobulin E (IgE)sets off a chain reaction that leads to allergy symptoms. With fragrance sensitivity, IgE is not involved.
Fragrance Sensitivity vs. Allergy
Although fragrance sensitivity is not uncommon in people with allergies, it is not a true allergy. A true allergy involves an immune response in which a protein calledimmunoglobulin E (IgE)sets off a chain reaction that leads to allergy symptoms. With fragrance sensitivity, IgE is not involved.
The irritation that occurs with fragrance sensitivity can also trigger an allergic response or an asthma attack in some people, although experts aren’t clear why this is.
Generally, a diagnosis of fragrance sensitivity is based on the occurrence and timing of symptoms. You, rather than your healthcare provider, are in the best position to notice reactions and get a clearer sense of your individual triggers.
But identifying the offending fragrance can be tricky. You might start to recognize that a certain fragrance or smell precedes your reactions, but you might not know which component of a product is causing your symptoms.
To aid you in your quest, it is a good idea to always read the ingredient label of any potentially offending product. Patterns may emerge that eventually lead you to the culprit.
You can also keep a diary detailing when you had symptoms, where you were at the time, and what you smelled prior to the outbreak of symptoms.
Medical Evaluation
This may involvepulmonary function tests (PFTs)to evaluate the strength of your lungs orallergy teststo check for IgE antibodies or your response to common allergens like pollen and dust.
Treatment and Prevention
It may not be so easy at your workplace or when you are out at a friend’s house. In such cases, it is in your interest to speak up and politely tell your friends, family members, and work colleagues about your sensitivities. They may not be aware that perfumes or fragrances they are accustomed to are overly strong and affecting others.
Medications
In cases where you can’t avoid exposure (or when symptoms are persistent), you can use over-the-counter medications to treat the symptoms. This includes pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or anasal decongestantto overcome congestion.
When a fragrance sensitivity causes your asthma or allergy symptoms to flare up, you would also need to take your usual asthma or allergy medications to bring those symptoms under control.
Rapid Acting Allergy and Asthma Treatments
A Word From Verywell
Fragrance sensitivity is not uncommon and can be especially aggravating if you are repeatedly exposed to the irritant in the workplace or at a friend’s house.
The best treatment is prevention. Let others know about your concerns to help prevent any suspected fragrance sensitivities.
Fragrance-Free Products: What It Means
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Alrasheed M, Albalawi O, Aljallal M, Algahtani AS.Prevalence and risk factors of self-reported perfume sensitivity in Saudi Arabia.Healthcare.2021;9(10):1248. doi:10.3390/healthcare9101248
Basketter DA, Huggard J, Kimber I.Fragrance inhalation and adverse health effects: the question of causation.Regul Toxicol Pharmacol.2019;104:151-6.doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2019.03.011
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Contact dermatitis.
Jaén C, Dalton P.Asthma and odors: the role of risk perception in asthma exacerbation.J Psychosom Res. 2014;77(4):302-308. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.07.002
Geier J, Uter W.Diagnostic workup of fragrance allergy.Hautarz. 2015;66(9):674-679. doi:10.1007/s00105-015-3658-1
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