As of date around 5000 fragrances are used as part of perfumes. If any of the component fragrances in the mix, happens to be an allergen vis-a-vis a particular individual, obliviously it results in fragrance mix allergy in that individual. Fortunately though there are only a small number of fragrances that are categorised and known to be penitential allergens.
What are the Usual Fragrances that are Screened for Fragrance Mix Allergy?
Normally 8 individual allergen are screened for determining fragrance mix allergy. The following eight are the most used fragrances, across a wide range of products:
- Cinnamic alcohol
- Cinnamic aldehyde
- Eugenol
- Isoeugenol
- Geraniol
- Alpha amyl cinnamic alcohol
- Hydroxycitronellal
- Oak moss absolute
Apart from commonly used perfumes the fragrances are also present in the following material:
- Paints
- Cutting fluids and metal working fluids ( mask troubling odours)
- Air conditioning ( Circulated through air conditioners)
How to Detect Fragrance Allergy?
Self Testing: Apply a little bit ( few drops) of the substance to a minute area of the skin either at the bend of arm or the neck for several days and examine for any allergic symptoms such as rashes and redness. If no such reaction is noticed, obviously you are not allergic to the product.
One Advice
But please take your doctor into confidence before opting for self testing. The self testing is advised only in case of lotions and cosmetics that is only on those products which “stay” on the skin. Other products such as shampoos, conditioners, soaps and cleansers should not be tested in this manner.
Patch testing: This is the most common and popular test for any allergen. This test is carried out with fragrance mix and Balsam of Peru. It can easily detect more then two thirds of fragrance allergy cases. A positive patch means that you are allergic to one or more component fragrance chemicals.
