I’m sensitive to the scents my children’s friend brings into the house. What do I do?

For Many Americans, Fragrance Can Be as Toxic as Tobacco Smoke

At 47, Sarah has become increasingly sensitive to smells - particularly those of fabric softeners and perfumes. The pungent odors trigger feelings of sickness in her and leave her feeling anxious around friends who use strong fragrances.

Sarah's dilemma isn't uncommon: many people are beginning to recognize the impact that fragrance can have on their health, even if it was previously dismissed as a harmless indulgence. A recent study found that nearly one-third of respondents reported experiencing adverse reactions from fragrances, which can cause a range of symptoms including headaches and respiratory issues.

The market for fragrances has grown exponentially over the past few years, with many consumers willing to pay top dollar for their favorite scents. The trend is driven in part by social media, where influencers showcase their elaborate perfume collections and share tips on how to layer different scents for maximum effect.

But behind this seemingly harmless obsession lies a complex issue that affects people from all walks of life - including those who are often the most vulnerable, such as children and the elderly. According to environmental health expert Lindsay Dahl, "around 20% of fragrance ingredients are potential allergens," which can exacerbate existing conditions like asthma.

As more research emerges on the health effects of fragrances, it's essential that we reevaluate our attitudes towards smell. What was once dismissed as a harmless indulgence is now recognized as a potentially toxic force in our lives.

So what does Sarah - or any parent who struggles to set boundaries for their child's friends - do? The answer lies in having an open and honest conversation with the other family about your concerns, rather than trying to single out the friend who may be contributing to the issue. It's essential that we prioritize our health while still being mindful of the needs and feelings of others.

By reframing the discussion around fragrance sensitivity as a legitimate concern for public health, we can begin to break down stigmas surrounding body odor and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

I'm so over how much we're expected to tolerate in terms of fragrances already . I mean, I get it, people like their scents, but come on! If you can't even be bothered to check the ingredients list or ask if someone's using a strong one, that's just rude . And don't even get me started on how hard it is to navigate social situations when your body reacts to certain smells - I feel you, Sarah .

It's not just about being "sensitive" either; there are actual health risks involved here. Like, have you seen the list of potential allergens in fragrances lately? It's like a who's who of respiratory problems and allergies . So yeah, let's please just be more considerate and aware of our surroundings... or at least make an effort to talk about it with each other instead of just assuming everyone else is fine .

I think it's so cool that people are finally starting to talk about how fragrances can be super toxic ! Like, I'm not surprised Sarah is super sensitive to them - I've always been one of those people who gets headaches from perfume . But seriously, it's crazy how much of a market fragrance is and how many people will pay top dollar for their fave scents . I guess that's just how social media works, right? Anyway, I think it's awesome that we're finally having this conversation about the health effects of fragrances and how to be more mindful of each other's sensitivities . We should totally prioritize our health and well-being, but also make sure everyone feels included and supported . Maybe we can even find some new, safer alternatives for fragrance lovers !

I was just thinking about this the other day... have you ever noticed how some people's cooking smells amazing even when they're just making toast? Like, it's like their kitchen is emitting this magical aroma that makes your stomach growl. I swear, my grandma could make a plain old grilled cheese sandwich smell like a five-star restaurant

Ugh I'm literally dying over here fragrances are like the ultimate silent killer - my sister's friend's kid has asthma and her mom's perfume is basically a poison we need to take this seriously, not just for people with allergies but also for those of us who are just super sensitive. It's all about setting boundaries and being considerate of others' health can't we just have some consideration for the people around us? and yeah social media is partly to blame, influencers need to be more responsible

OMG, like I knew this was gonna be a big deal!!! Fragrance toxicity is, like, super real! I mean, I've seen my fave influencers post about their perfumes and I'm over here like "girl, that smells so good!" but now I know it's actually toxic . My aunt has asthma and she can't even be around strong scents without breaking out in a fit . It's crazy to think how many people are affected by fragrances, including kids! We gotta have the convo with our friends and family about this and make sure everyone is safe and healthy . Like, it's not about being a hater or anything, it's just about prioritizing our health . Can't wait to see what other trends come out of this!

fragrance is literally everywhere these days its like we've become desensitized to the whole "oh I just really love this smell" thing when in reality some ppl are literally getting sicks from it lol

imagine if we said that smoking was as bad for ppl as fragrance could be... would ppl still keep lighting up? probably not and honestly neither should they fragrances rnt a "harmless indulgence" like people make them out to b. its time 2 take responsibility 4 our actions & prioritize our health

I totally get it with Sarah's situation, I've had friends who are super sensitive to smells too and it's not just about them, it's about the impact on others around them. The fact that 20% of fragrance ingredients are potential allergens is crazy, like how can we expect people to be healthy if we're exposing ourselves to stuff that could harm us? It's time for us to rethink our love for strong scents and make some changes, especially in public spaces where people with sensitivities might be more vulnerable

I feel so bad for Sarah , I've been there too! I used to be one of those people who loved strong perfumes, but after getting sensitized from my friend's cologne, it was like a whole new world opened up for me. It's crazy how our bodies can react so differently to the same things, and it makes me wonder what other hidden dangers are lurking in everyday products . I think what Lindsay said about 20% of fragrance ingredients being potential allergens is wild... that's like 1/5th of all fragrances! Anyway, having an open conversation with friends and family is a great idea , it's always better to prioritize our health than deal with the drama .

Ugh, fragrances are just getting out of control ! I mean, I get it, they smell nice and all, but 20% of the ingredients are potential allergens? That's just crazy! And people are still willing to shell out top dollar for them like they're going out of style . Meanwhile, Sarah's just trying to breathe without getting sick . We need to have a serious conversation about this and start labeling fragrances with warnings or something. I don't want my kid walking around smelling like perfume all day . And what about the elderly? They're probably the ones most affected by these chemicals . This whole thing just makes me wanna say, "Can we just go back to basics for once?"

I'm not surprised that fragrances are giving people problems . I mean, some perfumes smell nice but they can be super overpowering. My sister's friend is always wearing this one scent that she just loves but it makes my head spin every time we're hanging out. And yeah, social media influencers can make you think it's okay to wear those strong fragrances everywhere .

But seriously, I do think it's a big deal for people with allergies and asthma. I've got a friend who has super sensitive skin and even just walking into a room with someone wearing perfume can set her off . So yeah, maybe we should be more mindful of our fragrance choices. It's not like they're going to make or break your life, but it's the little things that can add up, right?

I don't know if I'd say we need to ban fragrances entirely or anything, but just being more aware and considerate of others is key. Like, have a conversation with your friends and family about your sensitivities – that way everyone's comfortable .

Umm... I mean... I think it's kinda weird that people are only now starting to care about fragrances? Like, what took them so long? And don't even get me started on social media influencers pushing their perfumes like it's some kind of thing... like they're promoting health and wellness or something. But at the same time, I'm all for being mindful of fragrances if it affects people like Sarah who are really sensitive to smells. Maybe we should be more considerate of each other's sensitivities? And yeah, it's crazy how many fragrance ingredients can be allergens... like, what were they thinking when they came up with some of these stuff? But maybe having open conversations about fragrances could help break the stigma around body odor too... or something. I don't know...

Fragrances are literally killing me ! I know people love their perfumes and scented candles, but have you seen the list of 'fragrance ingredients' lately? It's like they're playing Russian roulette with our health! 20% of them can be allergens?! What even is that?! I'm not going to start sniffing around for the 'source' or anything, but come on, folks, let's get real here. We need stricter regulations on these chemicals and some serious education about how they affect us. It's time to stop making fragrance enthusiasts feel ashamed of being sensitive and start treating it like a legitimate health concern

Fragrances are like a ticking time bomb for some people . I mean, think about it, most perfumes and colognes have a million different ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or respiratory issues. It's not just Sarah's issue, it's like, many people out there are getting sick from the stuff.

And yeah, social media is making it worse with all these influencers promoting their "fave scents" . Newsflash: not everyone loves strong smells! You'd think we'd be more considerate of each other's sensitivities by now, but nope.

I'm all for having open conversations about fragrance sensitivity, though . It's time we stop stigmatizing people who get anxious or sick from certain scents. We need to create a culture where everyone feels comfortable sharing their concerns without fear of judgment.

Let's not forget that 20% of fragrance ingredients are potential allergens . That's like, a whole lot of toxic stuff. So yeah, let's be more mindful of our fragrances and make sure we're not harming each other. Simple enough, right?

fragrances are like ex's - they may smell good at first but after a while you're just over 'em ...seriously though, 20% of frag ingredients are potential allergens? that's like saying 1 in 5 drinks can turn u into the Incredible Hulk . we need to be more aware of what we're putting on our skin and in the air. it's not just about us, it's about those around us who might be more sensitive. so let's chat about it, not avoid the topic like a bad fragrance