Health Risks of Perfumes: Chemicals Hidden In Perfumes And Their Health Effects

Here are the ten warning signs that you may need to avoid perfumes and other fragrances.

1. If you get tiny red pimples when you are exposed to strong odors, especially if they appear on your cheeks and nose, you probably need to avoid perfumes and fragrances because you have an allergic reaction.

There is a form of acne called rosacea that occurs when there is a change of temperature or a chemical in the air or in  your food or drink causes a "nervous" reaction in the skin. The skin tightens so quickly that tiny blood vessels actually burst, causing tiny red pimples on your otherwise clear skin. Avoiding perfumes and other types of fragrances is essential to managing rosacea on your skin.

2. You get pimples or blisters on your chin or at the corners of your mouth.

People who get pimples or blisters on the chin or at the corners of the mouth usually are not reacting so much to a fragrance or essential oil as they are reacting to the sudsing agent that makes sure the fragrance or essential oil you use is dissolved, sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as sodium dodecyl sulphate in the United Kingdom and Australia). This is not necessarily a sign you need to avoid fragrances and perfumes. Instead, these pimples and blisters are a sign you need to avoid products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, or at least that you should wash you face after you use your toothpaste or mouthwash.

3. Jewelry that isn't made from 14-karat gold makes you break out.

Some people are even allergic to certain types of jewelry. People who are sensitive to nickel and silver tend also to be sensitive to perfumes and fragrances. This may be a sign that you are allergic to perfumes.

4. Bubble bath, body lotions, or massage oil make your skin dry or even itchy.

Dryness and itchy skin after using bubble bath, body lotions, or massage oil is usually a reaction to  all the various perfumes and fragrances they most certainly contain.

5. Using scented laundry detergent in the washer or static control sheets in the dryer makes you break out.

If you get skin reactions to scented laundry detergent or static control sheets you should know that this is almost always due to the fragrances these laundry detergents contain.

6. You get red in the face when you are embarrassed, upset, or happy.

Skin that turns red when you feel a strong emotion usually also turns red when exposed to certain chemical scents.

7. You get red in the face when you drink alcohol.

Some people lack an enzyme needed to break down the acetaldehyde the liver makes as it burns the alcohol you drink. This chemical is also similar to the acetone used in finger nail polish remover.

8. People ask if you are sunburned, even when you are not.

This is an very important tell-tale sign of an allergic reaction without itchiness.

9. Eating spicy foods makes you cry, makes you blush, or both.

Spicy foods activate the vagus nerve, which turns on your tear ducts and sends blood to the surface of your face. Many people who are unusually sensitive to spicy foods are also unusually sensitive to chemical scents and fragrances.

10. Perfume makes you sneeze.

Perhaps the best indication you are sensitive to perfumes and fragrances, however, is sneezing. If perfumes and colognes may you sneeze, avoid them!