The perfumes used in cosmetic fragrances, kitchen soap, laundry detergent and other common household products can cause an uncomfortable rash called allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Not all of the products make their presence readily known through their odor, so people experiencing allergic reactions may have to read the ingredients on the product labels to spot a potential allergen. Doctors can perform tests to determine whether dermatitis patients have an allergy to a specific fragrance.
Mechanism of Allergic Reactions
According to MayoClinic.com, an allergic reactions occurs as the result of an immune system reaction by the body. The immune system incorrectly identifies the allergen as a perceived threat to the person’s health and dispatches specific antibodies to the part of the body exposed to the allergen. These antibodies create the unpleasant symptoms familiar to allergy sufferers, such as redness, itching and swelling. In the case of an allergic reaction to perfume, a specific fragrance ingredient triggers the immune response, frequently resulting in a skin rash known as allergic contact dermatitis.
Allergens
Several of the fragrances added to perfumes and colognes, toiletry products, oils used in massage and even dental cements can cause an allergic reaction. The New Zealand Dermatological Society lists sandalwood oil, cinnamic alcohol and aldehyde, wood tars, benzyl salicylate, musk ambrette, and oak moss absolute among common allergens. Certain alcohols incorporated into scented products can also set off a reaction. Essential oils and natural scents such as cassia oil, clove and balsam of Peru may also cause problems for some individuals.
Diagnosis and Testing
If you experience rashes or other allergic symptoms, consult a doctor to determine whether you have a sensitivity to certain scents or perfumes. The doctor can positively diagnose a case of contact dermatitis or other telltale signs as well as performing certain tests to identify which specific perfume causes the problem. A patch test, for instance, involves placing patches predosed with several different allergens on the skin and noting which allergens cause a reaction. You may supply your own perfumes, toiletries or household fragrances for inclusion on the test. Do not try to test yourself for an allergic reaction without first seeking a doctor’s advice.
Treatment and Prevention
Doctors can treat the symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis with oral or topical medications, but the problem will reoccur until you avoid the specific allergen at fault. Manufacturers include perfume not only in cosmetic fragrances and toiletries but also in laundry detergents and dish soaps. People with perfume allergies must take care to read the ingredients listed on all such products before using, especially considering the length of time clothes spend exposed to laundry detergent in the washing machine. This caution should even apply to unscented products, which may still have small amounts of fragrance ingredients in them.
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