People have allergies to many things. Some of these can be food, animals or pollen. But it is also possible to be allergic to scents. What are the signs and symptoms of allergies to scents. This article will explain.
Allergies to scents can be sparked by any chemical that has a strong odor. Some of the worst offenders are the following:
– Deodorants
– Soaps
– Detergents
– Shampoos
– Lotions
Atopic Contact Dermatitis
This condition means that you are allergic to something that you come into contact with through your skin. Therefore, a deodorant, for example, can cause a localized reaction in the skin where it is applied if one is allergic to it.
Symptoms of this condition are darkened or red skin in the area of the symptoms. There can also be small itchy welts that may ooze out liquid.
Allergic Rhinitis
This condition is characterized by nasal symptoms like sneesing, runny nose or inflammation. You may alos experience headache, sore throat and itchy, watery eyes when suffering from allergic rhinitis. It is possible to get any of these symptoms from scents you are allergic to.
Asthma
This condition is one of the most common symptoms of allergy to a breathable allergen. For many asthma sufferers, strong scents, such as those found in fragrances, cause symptoms of asthma. Asthma causes coughing and wheezing along with shortness of breath. If these symptoms are not treated with asthma medications, they may progress into a life threatening condition. Asthma can also cause anaphylactic shock in rare cases.
What to do with Allergies to Scents
If you have an allergy to scents you should take measures to limit your exposure to anything that causes allergy symptoms for you. This is sometimes difficult to achieve with all the scents around us all the time. This is why the condition can affect the life of the afflicted person so drastically.
