Fragrance - the New Secondhand smoke?

As a practicing allergy doc,  every day I see patients dealing with runny, stuffy noses, asthma, and rashes.

About 1/3 of people that come in for evaluation are found to NOT have allergies. 

So what is the problem?

This is called non-allergic inflammation. 

Sadly some people deal with both allergic AND nonallergic inflammation.

What are some common non-allergic triggers?

1. Smoke
2. Fragrance
3. Other strong chemical smells like bleach

We have learned over the years about the dangers of smoke BUT fragrance seems innocent enough, right?

WRONG.

Fragrance is a label used on products to keep trade secrets, secret.
A single scent contains 50-300 different chemical compounds.
Many are phthalates that were originally developed in the 1930s as plasticizers.
Now they are in everything we use from head to toe and in every room in the house.

They are common delayed allergens causing skin rashes and respiratory irritants triggering asthma and vocal cord dysfunction.

The long-term effects are more concerning. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors linked to decreased sperm motility and counts, placental health problems, and pregnancy complications.

This week take a look around your house.

How many product labels contain the word fragrance?

My suggestion is to start small: 

1. Personal care products offer the biggest bang for your buck.
   They are in contact with your skin and you are inhaling the pleasant but at times still irritating fragrance.
   
   Making this swap is especially important for anyone with eczema or “sensitive” skin.
   
   If you aren’t ready to replace all of your personal care products right away, I suggest swapping out your body wash & lotion for one without “fragrance” on the label. 
   
   
2. Next, take a peek at your cleaning products.
   I suggest concentrating on the ones that we touch more often first like laundry detergent, hand and dish soaps.
   
   I have been using a few homemade cleaners using recipes from my friend and colleague Dr. Anne Kennard in her book Nourish.
   Not only do I know exactly what is in them but I have also saved a bunch of money too! 
   
   
3. Last but definitely not least, consider your air quality.
   Limiting the use of candles, fragranced potpourri, and air fresheners can go a long way.
   
   So what are some alternatives?
   
   I love making a batch of chai in the slow cooker but also occasionally use some essential oils in the diffuser.
   Essential oils can still be an irritant for those with respiratory issues so tread with caution. 

Want to learn a bit more about fragrance?

If you like to read: 

Check out Dr. Leo Trassande’s book Sicker, Fatter, Poorer  

Prefer to watch:

Check out the documentary Stink. (Disclaimer- it is a bit scent-sational- pun intended- but eye-opening).