Looking fabulous for parties and other events is indeed a must. For some, one's attire is never complete without catering to both the visual and olfactory sense. With this given fact, most people wear charming fragrances. But what's the use of smelling good, if you're going to look pretty nasty because of reddened patches on our skin brought about by some allergic reactions? Thus, with that, we are going to take a look into the details of perfume allergies in this article so if your skin is a little sensitive to some scents, read closely.

Mechanism of the Reaction

Perfume allergies refer to an abnormal reaction of a person’s immune system to chemicals found in fragrances, cosmetics, soap, and scented articles. Different perfumes are made from different chemicals. And these chemicals are responsible for an allergic reaction. They may be inhaled or come in contact with a susceptible person’s skin and cause symptoms such as:

• red patches or rashes on skin
• hives
• contact dermatitis
• tingling of the mouth
• runny nose
• coughing
• difficulty of breathing
• itchy eyes
• asthma
• anaphylaxis

People who have pre-existing allergies and asthma may be prone to acquiring perfume allergies. The scent itself is enough to cause an asthma exacerbation which could be fatal.

What Your Doctor Can Do For You

If you think you might be allergic to certain fragrances, do not hesitate to consult an allergist immediately. Perfume allergies can be as fatal as asthma when left untreated. The physician will inquire about the causative perfume and the chemicals that are present. It will also be necessary to undergo skin patch and blood tests to confirm a diagnosis. Antihistamines may be prescribed as well as topical corticosteroids to ease inflammation on the skin.

What You Can Do

Perfume allergy is quite difficult to prevent as the chemicals may present in various products, even in food. Most of the people we encounter may put it on their own skin, or it may be present in a room where an air freshener is applied.

At home, you may start making changes by installing HEPA filters in your air conditioning system and avoid using air fresheners if not necessary. Inform family members of your condition that they may also adjust along with you. You may also apply this when at work. Talk to the officemate sitting near you, as well as the people you usually encounter. As with most allergies, it is very necessary that you always carry emergency medicine in cases of an allergic attack. For those with serious reactions, an auto-injector epinephrine may be required to relieve constriction of the airways.