Since we are talking about cosmetics, let’s touch on fragrance and perfume allergies. Have you ever suffered a sneezing fit when at the movies and someone nearby is swathed in fragrance? How about walking into a department store by the fragrance counter and your eyes begin to itch and your throat feels like it is constricted? Perhaps you go to a friend’s house where some candles have been lit for ambience and your eyes don’t stop watering and you can’t get rid of that tickle in your throat. These are all fragrance allergies, a very common type of allergy.

Many people think they may have a perfume or scent allergy and while they do, it’s not to all fragrances or perfumes, but usually to a specific ingredient that may be widely used. Especially now, with aromatherapy so in vogue, it’s much easier to unwillingly encounter scents. The other day, I was walking through a popular bath and bedding store when I walked past an aromatherapy display. I immediately felt an irritant and was not the only one, a few others were sneezing in the same area, and I’m pretty sure it was because of the heady scent the display was producing.

Apparently, there is a difference in “fragrance-free” and “unscented.” According to Joanna McLaughlin, a freelance writer and perfume lover, “When a product calls itself “unscented,” it means that it has no perceptible fragrance… Some unscented products actually use fragrance to cover up the product’s natural scent…”Fragrance-free” products are more likely to be free of fragrance additives. In the business, scent means smell and fragrance means a substance. An unscented product can use fragrance and a fragrance-free product may have a distinct smell! (For instance, freshly ground coffee is fragrance free, but it has a natural aroma.)” Seem confusing, maybe, but it’s usually a specific fragrance (or scent!) that bothers you, not everything.

Can you tell the difference between an allergy and an irritant? And does it even really matter if it’s making you uncomfortable? McLaughlin shares one woman’s theory with us, though she calls it “completely unscientific.” If your eyes or nose itch, it’s more likely to be an allergy. If your eyes water and your nose runs but you don’t feel any itching sensation, you are probably dealing with an irritant rather than an allergen.

Again, if you know what it is that is causing your symptoms (and an allergist may be able to help diagnose), you can seek treatment such as allergy medication or NAET. It can be very uncomfortable to sneeze your way through a meeting or event, or have your day at the office miserable because your coworker insists on air freshener.

I guess it goes with the old theory what is one’s trash is another’s treasure. While the newest fragrance may be ambrosial to some, it may be torture to you. It’s a hard battle, but again awareness is key. Let your friends, family and coworkers know about your condition and maybe they’ll be sympathetic and keep their great new perfume for those times when you are not around.

- Heather Legg