The allergy prone perfume lover

I'm an allergy sufferer, too. Something that's just come up in the last few years and I don't like it one bit. I've only had two perfumes set off wicked coughing/sneezing attacks -- both of them I absolutely LOVE -- and they're Spellbound and Jaipur Saphir. They don't bother me at all when worn by others, just when I wear them. I haven't compared the two to check for common culprits, however. My sister, who has chronic acute asthma and is on prescription meds, inhalers, and shots almost weekly, says she's never ever had an asthma attack from someone else's fragrance (though she has from her own -- a very heavy application of Dolce & Gabanna sent her to the ER).

As for not sleeping in fragrance... well, I do. If it doesn't bother me during the day then it doesn't bother me during the night. But that's just me. I don't do full-on sprays, however. I dab or spritz lightly at the wrists, or I use the scented lotion sometimes -- it depends.

And as for your question about ingredients, preservatives and synthetics... I think there's a ton of info on the internet about this since there are groups pushing for anti-perfume in public places. I read something two years ago from the American Medical Association where they basically labeled fragrance as "the new secondhand smoke". Can't recall the source and two years and a new computer later, I can't find the bookmark either. I just stumbled onto it while looking for something else, so I'm sure a little googling or dogpiling will turn up lots of info.

I can't believe I said "pushing for anti-perfume in public places." I meant to say pushing to ban perfume in public places. Sheesh. : I got my thoughts crossed since I had been thinking there are people who are anti-perfume. Thankfully, you understood me. ;D

OH NO! Get me my smelling salts! Banning perfume in public places would be next to impossible! Wouldn't it?

I'm in that category too, right in there with you! But I refuse to give up on scents.

The one that causes me the most problems is, naturally, the one I love the most: Mitsouko. At least it doesn't affect my respiratory system, but it does give me contact dermatitis. The last time I spritzed on some Mitsouko (about 3 weeks ago), I broke out in such a severe rash that I still have a mark on my cleavage - that was a big mistake! Somehow I thought the cleavage would be less sensitive than the inside of my elbows.

My solution to the problem, and this is something I owe to the wonderful Basenotes community, is that I vary my scents daily and only wear Mitsouko when the urge becomes absolutely irresistible. Thanks to the people here, I have explored and discovered many wonderful new scents that I love to wear without having to pay the price of an itchy rash. Plus, I find that wearing scent on my forearms, or other hardier parts of the body can help prevent the dreaded rash.

I really wonder what the ingredients that cause the problems are, and I fear that one of them may be oakmoss, or something equally wonderful and indespensable (I live for chypres!)

The orientals don't bother me, which is just great for this time of year. And some florals are fine too.

All I can recommend, fellow sufferer, is that you experiment and find the fragrances that don't cause you grief. :-*

I have a very sensitive nose... Always nasal blockages...
I rest my head on top of two pillows stacked together. Or else my nose will get clogged up...

weirdly
no avon scent has adversely affected me
neither has mitsouko made me sneeze

what are some ones in your collection that
*don't*
provoke allergies?
that would be great information for me

thanks!