Scentsy, perfumes, and other "smell emitters" - how do they affect you? (washer, paint)

[elvisluvs]

Here's an ok article from the wall street journal-


Teri Augustyn developed a runny nose and itchy eyes when she went near grasses, trees and even the dog she'd had for years after she moved from Michigan to Washington when she was 38.


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Pollen may irritate respiratory passages more as people age.

At age 25, Kiley Gwynn started having headaches and stomachaches and one day her regular soy chai latte gave her a 20-minute coughing fit. Her allergist traced the reaction to soy, which she'd eaten all of her life without problems.

Lauri Granoff was 53 when she opened a package of wet wipes and suddenly couldn't breathe. The fragrance set off an asthma-like reaction that made her throat close up and her chest tighten. Now, coming close to perfume, hairspray, hand lotion or other chemical fragrance will leave her gasping for breath. She enclosed an insert in her son's wedding invitations begging guests not to wear scented products of any kind.

Severe reactions like these to foods, drugs, pollen and other substances can develop, seemingly out of the blue, at any age.

The symptoms mimic allergy attacks, and the misery they cause can be just as severe.

But many times, they aren't true allergies, experts say. The reactions involve different biochemical pathways than those in allergies, and they often respond to different treatments.

A true allergic reaction occurs when a person's immune system misidentifies a harmless substance as an invader and develops IgE antibodies against it. The antibodies attach themselves to mast cells in the bloodstream, which release histamines and other inflammatory chemicals whenever that substance is near. The resulting inflammation may cause a runny nose, itchy eyes, swelling, hives or skin rashes.

But when seasonal allergy symptoms crop up for the first time in adulthood, they are more likely due to an irritation of the nasal membranes known as vasomotor or nonallergic rhinitis than to an IgE response, experts say.

As people age, their immune systems weaken and their mucous membranes lose elasticity, making them more sensitive to irritants. "Even cold air becomes more problematic as we get older," says Rohit Katial, director of adult allergy and immunology services at National Jewish Health, a Denver hospital. "Suddenly your nose starts running all the time."

Because the IgE reaction isn't involved in vasomotor rhinitis, antihistamines and other over-the-counter allergy medications aren't very effective, nor are allergy shots. But nasal steroid sprays such as Flonase and Nasonex can reduce the inflammation and make nasal passages less sensitive. "Half the people who come to me who think they have allergies don't, and they're frustrated because their over-the-counter allergy medications don't work," says Michael Blaiss, an allergist at the University of Tennessee in Memphis and past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Reactions to perfume and other scents also are more likely to be irritations than allergies and can range from headaches to life-threatening asthma-like attacks. Cigarette smoke, soot and other airborne particles also can be irritating to people who are sensitive, and there, too, antihistamines generally aren't effective.

Many sufferers, though, find relief using inhalers with fast-acting anticholinergic agents, which block the nerve impulses that play a role in the reactions. Ms. Granoff also uses a carbon-filter mask to screen out scents and particulates and carries a portable nebulizer and an epinephrine pen for emergencies. Many patients at National Jewish Health learn breathing exercises to help keep their airways open during an attack.

About 1% of people—and 10% of those with asthma—develop a sudden sensitivity to aspirin, ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Experts say these reactions—which may include swelling of the lips, tongue, hands and feet, as well as hives and other rashes—may happen because the NSAID doesn't fully block the body's inflammation-causing chemicals, and some overproduce instead. Researchers aren't sure why this suddenly occurs in people who have taken NSAIDs without problems for years, although stress and genetics may play roles.

Some food allergies actually do develop mainly in adults. A prime example is shellfish. But in many other cases, reactions that are widely assumed to be food allergies prove negative in medically supervised food challenges.

Often, it is simply mistaken identity. "Somebody might develop hives one afternoon, and it's natural to think, 'It must have been the eggs I had at lunch'," says Dr. Katial. "A lot of times we don't know what the cause is, but we know it's not the food allergy."

Skin-prick and blood tests can help confirm or rule out allergies by revealing the presence of IgE antibodies to specific substances. But a positive skin test alone doesn't necessarily mean a person will have a bad reaction from eating the food. That's why experts say children and adults shouldn't eliminate foods from their diets based on suspicion or a positive skin test alone.

The incidence of actual allergies is rising in adults and children around the world, for reasons that aren't totally understood. A popular theory is that modern hygiene has reduced the number of germs children are exposed to, so that their immune systems don't develop fully and attack harmless substances. Allergies may develop late in life, or seem to do so, in adults who had mild seasonal allergies that went unnoticed when they were children; the allergies may have become more severe as pollen counts have worsened.

Some environmental triggers are getting worse. In northern U. S. and Canada, pollen season in 2009 lasted 27 days longer than in 1995, a recent study found. Ragweed season in the New York-New Jersey area started last week, 10 days earlier than usual, says Leonard Bielory, an allergy specialist at Rutgers University and co-author of the study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. "My prediction is that next week, it will just explode."

A new environmental irritant, a previously mild allergy and the aging process can add up to new misery. Pregnancy, hormonal changes and many illnesses can alter a person's immune system. "As we get older, things change," Dr. Bielory says.

Does it matter which mechanism creates a bad reaction? Not to suffering patients—although some worry that an "irritation" isn't taken as seriously as an "allergy." But a true diagnosis is critical to getting the right treatment. "I tell primary-care doctors that if you think the patient has allergies and they get better on over-the-counter antihistamines, I don't need to see them," says Dr. Blaiss. "But if they are still having problems or getting worse, we should investigate further."

Allergies and Beyond
Are a runny nose, itchy eyes, swelling or hives signs of an adult-onset allergy—or something else?

Vasomotor rhinitis

Pollen, dander, smoke, perfume—even cold air—can irritate respiratory passages; aging makes people more susceptible

Treatment: Allergy shots and antihistamines don't help, but nasal steroid sprays, anticholinergic inhalers, masks and breathing exercises may provide relief.

Severity: Mild sniffles to life-threatening airway blockage

Prevalence: 20% of U.S. adults report seasonal symptoms, 4% fragrance sensitivity

Aspirin sensitivity


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Aspirin

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen can trigger swelling, hives and breathing problems

Treatment: IV antihistamines; epinephrine; avoidance; desensitization

Severity: Mild swelling to life-threatening anaphylaxis

Prevalence: 1% of population; 10% of asthmatics

Seasonal allergies

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Rising pollen counts, ozone and other pollutants are making some mild allergies far more severe

Treatment: Antihistamines; nasal sprays, steroids, allergy shots

Severity: Mild sneezing to congestion that interferes with work, sleep, daily life

Prevalence: 20% to 40% of U.S. adults report some form
of allergy

[dizzybint]

Ive had an environmental illness for over forty years and doctors still wont listen, and dont know how to treat it..the Scottish Government however have come clean and admitted that they ve known about MCS for many years but have no plans to have clinics for some illnesses.. isnt that nice of them... they know but dont want to know... so sufferers get left probably being treated for other illnesses and not getting the proper help given n other countries. Is this all a ploy so that factories and companies dont have to be shut down , the ones who produce all these toxic everyday things... for example. your dish washing liquid... furniture polish. nail polish, air fresheners , one of the worst culprits as its all around and clings. perfumes, high VOCs in paints. soap powders and one that should be banned, not reduced, fabric softeners, , and many more, were being bombarded with synthetic chemicals on daily basis If I can find subsitutes in the shops to use, then we all can... I have either a non perfumed sensitive soap powder, or oxygen washer balls.. that you place in the machine, they clean every bit as good. with no perfumed residues.. my cleaning fluids are non perfumed too,,, dont believe the green labels for sensitive skin either as most stink to high heaven. make sure they have no formaldehyde in them too... When I was young in late forties all these things werent out there, or hardly any, people didnt wear perfumes on a daily basis the way they do now.. and men hardly wore smelly after shaves and no hair gels, but now it seems we cant live without ten items under the sink for different purposes, now why would they put a smell in dishwashing liquid, its daft, and has to be rinsed off... please check out some of the sites, about the dangers of these products and what it causes.. and have a look on mcs-global.org and notoopretty. might make you think..

[themudpuppy]

Originally Posted by dizzybint

now why would they put a smell in dishwashing liquid, its daft, and has to be rinsed off.

Dishwasher detergent too. I can't find unscented or even lightly scented anymore. I have reactions every time I run my dishwasher because the fragrance is so strong. Why would anyone need their dishes to smell like perfume? Like I said, there is much more scented stuff out there than there used to be, and people go overboard using it. And the latest is the time released scents. Not just air fresheners, but time released scents for your laundry and other things. Ugh!

One that really irks me is (sorry guys), feminine pads. I used Stayfree most of my life, and suddenly they went scented. I had horrible reactions to it. I contacted the company and they told me there was no more option for unscented unless you want the bulky thick ones. They said all the thin ones went scented because "scent sells". I switched brands but now I'm having a hard time finding that brand in unscented too. The scent is so strong you can smell the wearer from a long distance, and the smell is the type you can't really mistake for perfume or something else. It's like screaming "Hey world, I'm on my period!" LOL

[dizzybint]

what were they thinking, putting rotten scents in those things.. and how dangerous in such a senstiive part of your body... I use only Surecare in the kitchen in fact I use it for cleaning everything, from the bath to floors and theres no hard floor cleaners non perfumed in the shops.... at least lots of soaps out now unperfumed.. thank goodness, and Im so glad I see posters on here sharing their experiences of these hazarous things in shops... they should be labelled like ciggies are now..with the dangers.. and Im not joking..

[Cattknap]

Elvis - regardless of all the data you have posted - whether you are "allergic" or "sensitive" to perfumed products - avoidance of these products is what works the best.

[Barking Spider]

I can't stand the plug in "smellerators". They give me a headache. Many vacant home I inspect have those things plugged in every room, sometimes more than one in each room. They use them to mask a musty or other offending odor.

I don't like candles in my house because of the soot, not the smell.

However, I really do like Scentsy products. Our dogs have their kennels in my home office, so sometimes the office smells like wet or dirty dog. I use a Scensty warmer in there and picked a very neutral scent. The office smells clean, but you can't really pick out a "scent".

I'm not a big fan of smelly stuff in the house, so I pick scents that are very neutral.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by Cattknap

Elvis - regardless of all the data you have posted - whether you are "allergic" or "sensitive" to perfumed products - avoidance of these products is what works the best.

You know, I have to agree. Whether you are technically allergic, or just sensitive, what difference does it make if it makes you sick? I don't mind avoiding perfume while I work, if it helps those around me feel better. I've seen the bad reactions they get to perfumes, it's a small sacrifice.

I think in today's society we are just more educated about illnesses, and more generous in helping others than in the past. I too am old enough to remember "the good old days", and how my grandfather would swell up and be unable to breathe when he came into contact with certain substances, and how people would complain of those with too much perfume on etc. Allergies and sensitivities have always been around, but I think they are on the increase. As an adult I developed true, life-threatening food allergies. I believe our environment is largely to blame, poor air quality, and all the chemicals and food processing that occurs in American diets nowadays, among other toxins. People are quick to grab that box of instant food, just add water/oil etc., ever read those ingredients? Nothing natural at all in most of them. Even our grains are being genetically modified, and meat chemically treated and dosed with antibiotics, etc. etc., we are guinea pigs.

[jasper12]

I work at a hospital. The smells there make me nauseous. I do wear perfume.."Beautiful" or "Juicy". Sometimes sandalwood. It helps me make it thru the day.

[TexasHorseLady]

I disagree that we are more generous about helping others than in the past, based on what I saw growing up. I remember churches and individuals doing what we expect the government to do now, though, which to me is MORE generous because it demands more of us as individuals.

To the contrary, I think we've, as a society, become more demanding that others be "generous" to us, and insist that they are obligated to do so, which is the exact opposite. Based on what I've observed, with the exception of medically diagnosed conditions, I think we've, as a society, become more inclined to expect the rest of the world to view our preferences as conditions, as disabilities, if you will, and to expect the rest of the world to take responsibility for us.

This started, I think, as a very good thing in that we, as a society, started getting our government to pass laws meant to help the truly disabled. Then some people, consciously or not, started seeing this as a way to get their own preferences catered to and started looking for ways that they could be considered "disabled" so everyone would have to make allowances for them and to change their own lives in deference to those preferences or sensitivities. (This is, of course, not pertinent to those who have medically diagnosed conditions, life-threatening conditions.) This started a ball rolling that is barreling downhill as we type.

As I said, I have a life-threatening allergy and carry an epipen. It happens to be to wasps which, in this part of the world, are pretty much everywhere. I take appropriate precautions, get rid of wasp nests on our own place (55 acres, so it is something of a chore), and carry what I need, medically, in the event I get stung. I also make sure that I have my cell phone with me when I'm likely to be somewhere where there may be wasps, so I can call for medical assistance.

Most people don't know a thing about it, nor do I expect them (individuals or businesses) to keep their own places wasp free, nor do I want or expect laws to be passed to require them to do so because I have an allergy or to alter their lives in any way because of my problem. It's my life-threatening condition, and my responsibility.

Which is to say, I avoid wasps, I don't expect society to do it for me. Way too many people, these days, don't have that attitude. Way too many people jump on bandwagons so they can get special consideration, for whatever reason. Because of those people, and the responsibility for this lies firmly in their hands, those with true disabilities and true life-threatening conditions are not taken as seriously as they should be. When everything is touted as a disability or an illness for which special consideration must be given, then those things that truly are lose the perception of being so.

Not everything in life is, or should be, arranged to suit our individual preferences. Sadly, we seem to have become a society that expects this and will cry "illness!" if it does not.

That's the point I'm trying to make. If you don't like a scent, even if it turns your stomach (and there are some that do that to me, just as everyone), that doesn't mean you have a "condition" and that the rest of the world should alter itself. Just as if your child eats something and misbehaves, that doesn't mean the child is allergic to that food, if there are no other indicators and allergy doctors can't diagnose the allergy you just "know" he has.

Hopefully that explains what I'm trying to say more clearly.

[accufitgolf]

Texas

To the contrary, I think we've, as a society, become more demanding that others be "generous" to us, and insist that they are obligated to do so, which is the exact opposite. Based on what I've observed, with the exception of medically diagnosed conditions, I think we've, as a society, become more inclined to expect the rest of the world to view our preferences as conditions, as disabilities, if you will, and to expect the rest of the world to take responsibility for us.

This started, I think, as a very good thing in that we, as a society, started getting our government to pass laws meant to help the truly disabled. Then some people, consciously or not, started seeing this as a way to get their own preferences catered to and started looking for ways that they could be considered "disabled" so everyone would have to make allowances for them and to change their own lives in deference to those preferences or sensitivities. (This is, of course, not pertinent to those who have medically diagnosed conditions, life-threatening conditions.) This started a ball rolling that is barreling downhill as we type.

Well said.