Love perfume but is it taking a toll on my health?

Question

Hello all,

I'm a huge fragrance junkie! I by a new body spray and/or fragrance just about once a month, however, I feel like it's starting to catch up to me. Throughout my day I feel a little uneasy; I cough, my chest feels tight and my throat is scratchy. After a while I came to the conclusion that the symptoms mentioned earlier are probably a result of excessive perfume spraying :(

I'm now considering switching to fragrance oils which aren't nearly as harmful and also last longer, but in the meantime I wonder if I'm slowly killing myself with all the chemicals that make up my favorite fragrances ... not to go to the extreme with the whole slowly dying thing buuttt.... you catch my drift :)

Thanx to all who will contribute to answering my question!!

Answer 1

Your symptoms sound more like an allergy or reaction to the alcohol in the perfumes instead of actual symptoms of a slow death. People can develop allergies to anything that they have been exposed to in the past according to my allergist. My sister has developed allergies to perfumes as well though hers give her a killer headache as soon as I start to spray anywhere in the house or car.

Still, I'd check with a doctor if your symptoms persist, especially with the oils as well.

Answer 2

you could be starting to see signs of allergic reactions to certain chemicals that make up the perfumes you buy.  the scratchy throat, coughing, tight chest are usually signs of this.  also if you have asthma, it will intensify these issues.  to give you an example, i am allergic to Aluminum Zirconium Octachlorohydrex, which is in most common deodorants. so i have to read every label when buying.