Allergy to perfume can occur in any person, regardless of age and gender. Symptoms of an allergic reaction do not always appear immediately after using perfume. The disease can be cumulative and appear after prolonged use of eau de toilette, perfume or deodorant.
Reasons
There are several reasons for developing an allergic reaction to perfume. The main one is a genetic predisposition associated with intolerance to one or more perfume components. If it is a fixative or alcohol, then an allergic reaction will manifest itself in almost all perfume aromas, because these elements are contained in many compositions. If the reaction occurs to an aromatic oil or other active substance, then only those perfumes in which these components are contained will be allergic. Preservatives and artificial fragrances are very aggressive to human skin, so they can also cause an allergic reaction.
Allergy to perfume smells occurs due toeffects of components on sensitive respiratory organs. Cheap perfume contains artificial fragrances that give it a special smell. It's the scent, not the scent. Therefore, with excessive use of such perfumes, an allergic reaction occurs. With a constant attack of artificial, strongly odorous "aromas", a protective reaction of the body is triggered, which manifests itself in the form of an allergy.
Allergenic ingredients
Perfume contains many components. They can be synthetic, vegetable and animal origin. Animal pheromones are used in the production of expensive perfumes. They are the main allergens. Animal ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction are:
- The active substance ambergris (produced in the intestines of the male sperm whale). In perfumery, it is used as an odor fixative.
- Musk (produced by some male animals to mark their territory). This component is used in the men's line of perfumes as a fixative and odor enhancer.
- Castoreum (beaver stream) is used as a flavor fixative.
- Cibet. Refined for a musky scent. The substance is predominant in oriental fragrances.
If an allergic reaction is caused by one of these components, then you can look for substitutes with synthetic substances in the composition.
Many women prefer floral fragrances. Natural plant materials are quite expensive. Therefore itreplaced with an artificial one. The composition of perfumes that cause allergies may include the following components: lavender, iris, citrus fruits, jasmine, rose, sandalwood. When choosing a perfume, it is important to take into account the fact that partial substitution can be used in its production: natural components are diluted with synthetic ones. Therefore, before buying, you should carefully read the composition.
Symptomatics
So, how does a perfume allergy manifest itself? The main symptoms are:
- sneeze;
- red eyes;
- breathing difficulties;
- development of allergic rhinitis (copious nasal mucus);
- allergic cough;
- itching and burning on the skin.
The patient may develop skin rashes in the form of red spots or pimples with a contact allergy to perfume (photo below).
Depending on the strength of the development of the reaction, the above symptoms may manifest themselves in different ways, be minor and not cause discomfort, or very strong, disrupting the usual course of life. An allergy to perfume can cause drowsiness, headaches, nausea, and even vomiting. The patient may complain of stomach pain, chills, fever and nausea.
Dangerous symptoms
Dangerous symptoms of perfume allergy are Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. The first causes swelling of the mucous tracts, as a result of which they overlap, and the person cannot breathe. This is fatal. Anaphylactic shock threatens with great weakness, a fallpressure, severe nausea and dizziness. This condition is considered very dangerous, so at the first suspicion, you need to call an ambulance and take an antihistamine.
Treatment
Can I be allergic to perfume? Is there a method that can permanently get rid of the disease? Doctors answer this question in the negative. It is impossible to completely recover from allergies (especially those caused by a genetic predisposition). First of all, it is necessary to take samples that will show which components in the composition of the perfume caused an allergic reaction. The most important treatment is to avoid the use of perfumes and other perfumes that contain allergens. The situation is more complicated with the reaction to the smell of perfume. We will have to ask all family members not to use perfume, which includes components that cause allergies. But you can't ask strangers about this. An allergic reaction can develop anywhere: public transport or an institution.
Drug therapy
After the allergen is identified and the general condition of the body is assessed, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment. First of all, he will give recommendations on the choice of perfumery and cosmetic products, prescribe a certain diet. In addition, the patient will be prescribed antihistamines. For the treatment of allergies to perfume, the following drugs are prescribed:
- "Tavegil";
- "Suprastin";
- Zodak;
- "Cetrin";
- Claritin.
The above drugs have a side effect in the form of a sedative effect. Therefore, for some people they will be contraindicated due to the field of activity. If the allergic reaction is local in nature, that is, it manifests itself in the form of a rash on the skin, the doctor may prescribe an antihistamine ointment or cream without fragrance. For general strengthening of the body, the patient is prescribed multivitamins. With the development of a strong allergic reaction, it is possible to use hormonal drugs. All medicines and the duration of the course of treatment are prescribed by the doctor.
Physiotherapy
To restore the body's strength and improve overall well-being, the patient is prescribed the following physiotherapy procedures:
- UHF;
- infrared therapy;
- s alt rooms;
- magnetotherapy.
At the same time as treatment, the doctor recommends a certain diet, as some foods can cause cross-allergies.
Folk recipes
In the absence of a strong allergic reaction without difficulty in breathing, it is possible to use traditional medicine. It is based on the use of herbal ingredients. Folk recipes for the treatment of allergies to perfume are as follows:
- Infusion of nettle. It is prepared from the dried leaves of the plant. To prepare a healing drink, you need to take one tablespoon of nettle and pour it with one glass of boiling water, then leave to infuse for 20-30 minutes.
- Infusion from a string. For cooking, you need three tablespoons of the plant. They are poured intoa small container and pour a liter of boiling water. The drink must stand for at least eight hours. It is taken once a day shortly before meals. With contact allergies, the series can be added to the bath. A glass of tincture is poured into water at a temperature of 25-30 degrees. You need to lie in the water for at least 10 minutes.
Prevention
Compliance with simple rules will help prevent allergies to perfume. They are:
- Periodically give skin a rest from perfume and do not use it in large quantities.
- Do not test multiple perfumes at once: some ingredients combined can cause a very severe allergic reaction.
- Don't buy cheap perfume from hand.
- Do not use perfume after the expiration date.
- Store perfume away from direct sunlight.
- If you are allergic to perfume components, you should carefully use toilet water and deodorant.
- Before you buy perfume, you need to try it on your skin. To do this, a couple of drops are applied to the wrist. If during the day no reaction appears, then you can safely buy the perfume.
Reviews
On the Internet, you can find reviews of women about allergies to perfume. Most of them note that an allergic reaction arose precisely on an expensive perfume containing natural ingredients. The main symptoms of allergies are watery eyes, nasal congestion and sneezing. Some users write thatthe allergic reaction was so severe that a doctor had to be called.
Allergy to perfume is an unpleasant disease, which in certain cases can be dangerous. Very often, the disease is provoked by the person himself, and then for a long time he tries to get rid of his symptoms. Preventing allergies is quite simple, you just need to be careful and follow the recommendations. But if an allergic reaction to the perfume still appears, you should immediately consult a doctor and start timely therapy.
