Allergic reactions

I don't think you were ranting. In fact, I now know which kind of reaction I have to JAR fragrances.

You're right but people will call a tissue a Kleenex and a copy a Xerox.

I must disagree with part of your statement that "A headache caused by a perfume is not an allergy, it may be an intolerance but it isn't dangerous." I agree it isn't an allergy but I most heartily disagree that it's not dangerous. It depends on the type and severity of the headache.

Most people aren't allergic to smoke either but you will hear people say that they are. Smoke, regardless of it's source, like perfume is technically an irritant. (Unless you have one of the reactions you described.) It, in and of itself, does not cause the headache but it triggers the "changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway. Imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin — which helps regulate pain in your nervous system"* thereby causing a migraine.

Aromatherapy, the use of natural essential oils has been used successfully to treat migraines. I've done so myself. So why do some perfumes seem to cause headaches, even migraines. Let me share this, I think it says it pretty succinctly: "Perfumes and colognes currently being manufactured contain synthetic versions of the aromatic chemicals found in nature. The source may be different, but the song remains the same. The olfactory system is a busy highway when it comes to things affecting the brain and nervous system, whether by trigeminal stimulation, or absorption into the blood stream via the lungs.

Migraine headaches are typically caused by changes in blood flow to the vessels in the head. Some of the materials that are commonly found in fragrances possess the ability to alter blood flow in the brain. Several studies strongly support the idea that fragrances can have a direct effect on cerebral circulation as well as have neurological effects. In addition, the anecdotal evidence suggests a significant effect of fragrances on the central nervous system."** And this is from a list of migraine triggers from the Mayo Clinic: "Sensory stimuli. Bright lights and sun glare can induce migraines, as can loud sounds. Unusual smells — including pleasant scents, such as perfume, and unpleasant odors, such as paint thinner and secondhand smoke — can also trigger migraines."*

As someone who LOVES perfume and suffers from migraine with a child who also suffers from migraine, I must know the triggers and how I can control them. It's easy to do with what I wear or what is in my home. However, I can't control what someone wears to work. In a previous job of mine, I couldn't escape the co-worker who insisted on wearing her headache triggering fragrance even after I asked her to please not apply so heavily (she reapplied it in front of me) or to wear it at all. Ultimately, I left the job.

To your point, I agree that people incorrectly use the phrase "I'm allergic to that fragrance." When in fact, it is more correct for them to say "That fragrance gives me a headache." Sometimes you can move away from the problem, sometimes you can't.

Sources: *http://www.headacheupdates.com/migra...-fragrance.htm
and ** http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mig...SECTION=causes

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Thank you both for your observations. Clarified a lot for me.

What would you attribute very mild numbing of the throat or nasal passages to.

Thanks.

srellim1, I would think it would be an irritant. Regardless, if I'm not at a dentist or a doctor, unintentional numbness is not a good thing.

Numbness might be the beginning of an allergy. Better get tested so you know for sure.
I have an appointment for allergy testing later this month, having suffered a number of unpleasant reactions to essential oils, and also to some niche frags, ranging from contact dermatitis to nausea and headaches which actually could signal the initial stages of an allergic reaction, according to my allergist. Repeated exposures could then make it much worse.
We do need to know what triggers any reaction, so we can avoid it. But that doesn't play into IFRA's clutches. Just because I get a reaction to a frag, that doesn't mean I want it banned. On the contrary, I just need the frag to be labeled so that I, personally, avoid it in future.
My daughter's partner has a severe allergy to peanuts and can't be in the same room as anything which has contained them. He's been to the ER three times since I've known him because of this! Yet, peanuts are not banned, nor should they be. Stop all this nonsense, IFRA, and give us back the ingredients we've been using for years.

I think Alityke's point is quite valid: thinking that a person has an allergy to perfume/smoke (which are irritants, not allergens), using allergy medicine (anti-histamines and what-not) is not going to help. Not totally anyway. It could be that some of the symptoms still involve allergy-related pathways, but it is also possible that the body reacts without the participation of the immune system.

I am just wondering if many of the people claiming to be allergic to perfumes (non-contact) are not truly serious about tackling the problem; do they see doctors to verify their allergies (or rather, chemical sensitivities, as they should be called)? That they just want others to stop using perfumes for whatever reason, but cannot offer evidence for their problem?

Maque, I can only speak for myself but I assure you I sought professional help for migraines. I personally love perfume and wouldn't want to stop wearing it myself, now would I want to limit anyone else from wearing it. However, in an environment I do not control, such as an office where I work, I did experience migraines triggered by a coworkers perfume. I ultimately left the job. I had no choice over my body's reaction to her fragrance, I did, after all need to breathe. She did have a choice as to wear that particular scent, to reapply frequently during the day or wear something else.

As for the reactions, experiences or motivations of others, I cannot comment.

RHM, I understand where you are coming from. I am curious about the motivations of the true perfume non-lover, those who would not be visiting Basenotes, and the ones who are petitioning cities and workplaces to ban perfumes. We have seen all those news reports about this issue. I have read that there is often a psychological aspect to the problem: the mind induces the body to have a reaction, despite there being no real irritant; the very thought that perfume may be present in the air can cause the body to have a conditioned response even though there is no actual perfume present!

Maybe if people have to work together in a small, enclosed space with little or no ventilation, those who believe they have perfume allergies could broach the problem with their colleagues. At the very least, though, the complainers should get tested by a reputable allergist so they have some substance to their objections and it doesn't just become a rant or a personal vendetta.
Or maybe the law should stipulate better ventilation for all workers!
I have met someone with a true perfume allergy, and she simply tried to avoid all close contact with perfume wearers. Her friends, colleagues and family were apprised of the problem and were sympathetic. But it surely can't be true that every huge, open plan office contains people allergic to perfume? Maybe this is another sad consequence of our litigation-mad, everyone's- a-victim, society?

Feel free to rant - I agree with everything you've said.

We all agree that there are people out there with genuine allergy to perfume and I have every sympathy for them..... but the rest of them that moan about perfume 24/7 are just a bunch of moaning minnies - who are probably jealous of the fact that we all smell so FABULOUS!!!!

There should be another planet for people like that - they could all be miserable and boring together. It could be a Grey planet where there are no beautiful colours,(might harm their eyes) , no beautiful smells (might give them an 'allergy)' no beautiful music (might harm their eardrums) - in other words a completely boring 'safe' place.

This planet would be completely sanitized and boring. Only then would people like that be happy.
Well, thats my rant over.