Sensitive To Fragrances

[gertie]

I normally do not like to have visitors come in my home but rather meet friends somewhere because everyone either wears perfume or their clothes smell of detergent. I was always a very social person until Dysautonomia now almost a recluse. I had unexpected guest yesterday & altho they didn't wear perfume, where they sat smells of detergent. I covered the seat with a quilt & run air cleaner but seems my whole house reeks of that odor. I know that makes me sound like a horrible person but unless you're sensitive to odors you can't understand how stressful this is for me. I have been very weak, nauseous, & dizzy all day from this exposure. I'm lucky I haven't had a migraine yet. Does anyone else have this problem? I have found nothing that lessens this sensitivity. Thanks.

[Sarah4444]

Sensitivity to fragrances is commonly discussed on mast cell disorder forums. I have it as well, not as bad as yours. I have to avoid any scented detergents, fabric softeners, etc. It is tied into dysautonomic stuff somehow for me.

[Godsgal]

I'm sensitive to fragrances and also certain smells from foods. I get really ill actually. Tachycardia, feeling faint, burning eyes, coughing. I feel the same feelings of being unsocial and avoiding certain situations....going out without the wheelchair, avoiding the heat, social gatherings with a lot of warm bodies and smells. But I know there comes a point that I have to try and see how it goes. I haven't gotten there yet though I want to let myself get on the right MCAD meds before I do.

[sue1234]

Same here. My daughter would occasionally forget and spray her perfume, and it was awful! I started out skin-sensitive to detergents, like 25 years ago. Then, about 10 years ago I noticed my smell was hyper-alert(always joked about how my nose should provide me an income via wine sniffing or drug-dog sniffing!). Then, 5 years ago the POTS. The absolute worst is chlorine. It really makes me dizzy!

[HopeSprings]

What you describe is ME exactly. Everything from dish soap to handcream that I use is unscented. A friend stopped by the other night and he wreaked of laundry detergent. The smell just fills the house (although my husband didn't notice) and makes me feel really ill. I can taste it in my mouth for hours after being exposed, my ears get all cloggy and ringy (ringier), racing heart, more lightheaded, more trouble focusing eyes, cognitive problems. All my usual symptoms get 10X worse. I recently had an incident with a relative who is planning to visit and stay at my house this summer. Despite their best efforts to not wear anything "stinky" .... they always seem to smell of fragrance. Then our time together is ruined because I am more symptomatic. If you regularly wear perfume, it just gets all in your stuff. So I came straight out and asked this person if they could wash their clothes in unscented detergent before coming here. She was offended... and I ended up apologizing and feeling bad. People really don't understand. This is one of the most socially isolating symptoms on the list -- the smells are everywhere.

[Sallysblooms]

Sensitivity to odors is hard. I had that long before my POTS, even long before my CFS and that is 18 years. It is really hard. Chemical perfumes etc are awful. Smoke, discusting.

[songcanary]

I have the same issues, although I don't react as badly as some. I get nausea and it just depends on the scent. I can detect the faintest of smells of all types and my hubby says I'd make a great sniffer dog.

[JaneEyre9]

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (or Environmental Illness) is often caused by toxic overload. I suffered from this after living in a house that had hidden water damage and toxic mold. After moving out, I was made worse by subsequent exposures to pesticides and herbicides. If you do have these sensitivities, the best thing to do is to make sure you are living in a clean/safe environment, avoiding pesticides and harsh cleaning products, and eating organic foods to lighten the load on your body. Through avoidance, it's possible to slowly heal and be able to tolerate more as the years go by. I also know of a family that started a rigorous detox regimen under the care of a specialist to help them with their sensitivities. You can find their story and resources here.

[abnel]

I wish I knew what could help because I also suffer from sensitivities to perfumes, car fumes, general pollution, wood burning, etc, etc. I am just managing to hold onto a job in the city and there are many days where getting from the car park to my office is as much as I can bear due to the awful assault on my senses once I leave the car park - from cigarette smoke, to car fumes, etc. I arrive at my desk feeling like I am about to collapse from the palpitations, shortness of breath, etc. Being in a confined space with someone who is wearing perfume is just awful.

[Birdlady]

Yes I agree with this. As I continue to chelate, smells aren't bothering me as much as they did about 6 years ago. Before, I could not wear perfume at all and now it doesn't bother me! I have heard that taurine, molybdenum, pantethine can help alleviate MCS. Interestingly I have been taking these for a while now for chelation. Do your own research on this stuff though and don't take my word for it. I am not a doctor.

I really believe there is an underlying form of toxicity here in everyone with MCS. Perhaps whatever that is is also causing POTS symptoms. That's my line of thinking these days. If we can figure out the larger issue, then we should theoretically be able to cure ourselves.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (or Environmental Illness) is often caused by toxic overload. I suffered from this after living in a house that had hidden water damage and toxic mold. After moving out, I was made worse by subsequent exposures to pesticides and herbicides. If you do have these sensitivities, the best thing to do is to make sure you are living in a clean/safe environment, avoiding pesticides and harsh cleaning products, and eating organic foods to lighten the load on your body. Through avoidance, it's possible to slowly heal and be able to tolerate more as the years go by. I also know of a family that started a rigorous detox regimen under the care of a specialist to help them with their sensitivities. You can find their story and resources here.

[gertie]

Thanks everyone. I was told 25 years ago MCS was toxic overload but since then I've gone to organically grown foods, no chemicals in home, etc & my sensitivity to odors are worse now than ever. I've tried everything, even having perfume in the house thinking I might get used to it & that was a big mistake. I had a dr tell me that I could think of it as a curse or a blessing. Actually we should not expose ourselves to chemicals even if they didn't make us sick.

I go through the same thing with my family. I ask they not wear any scented products & they reek of detergent & hairspray with every visit. I've even bought unscented products for grandchildren so I could baby sit without getting sick & that didn't work either. I I was shocked when a friend of mine who has cancer & MCS told me that cancer was a piece of cake compared to MCS. She also contributes getting cancer to her toxic exposures.

IMHO there's no way to win in this situation. I prefer to be alone but I can't tell my family not to visit so I suffer in silence.

[HopeSprings]

Alicia - just curious - you mentioned you have Meniere's. How was this diagnosed? What Meniere's symptoms do you have? This diagnosis was given to me, then taken away by my Neuro-Otologist. When I got that diagnosis and was told to avoid salt, I was really confused because with POTS we are told to load up on salt. What a catch 22.

[gertie]

I was diagnosed with Meniere's by an ENT. I was having vertigo, nausea, fullness in ears, tinnitus 24/7, couldn't ride in a car. It's the worst thing I've experienced including Dys. I hope you don't have it. It's debilitating to say the least.

[potsgirl]

My sense of smell has increased too much! Perfumes and other odors can make me actually throw up when confronted with them too closely. I had relatives visiting about a year ago, and had to run for the restroom after holding my breath as long as I could. No fun. Movies and other events can be downright sickening. I really wish there was something to do about it - any ideas out there?

[HopeSprings]

Alicia -- did the ENT diagnose you based on symptoms or did a test reveal Meniere's? I don't have vertigo, but a constant dizzy/spacey feeling, tinnitus and clogged sensation in ears. I had a test done (forget the name) where they put air into your ears and it showed as "borderline" Meniere's. The ENT changed her mind and decided my dizziness isn't vestibular, but central. I don't beleive this - I have definite vestibular symptoms. Anyway, was just curious what your Dr. based the diagnosis on.

[iheartcats]

I have perfumes I can wear and some detergents I can use. Others bother me like mad!

I can't use harsh chemicals for cleaning, even when 'young and well' - they've always been a bother. I don't think they are good for *anyone,* though.

The other day I walked through a make-up department and some lady squirted stinky perfume. I was hot and broke out in hives...I went outside and they went away in 10 minutes. That was unusual for me...but the heat, smell, crowds just combined, I think.

I also hate the smell of smoke and too much pollen gets me really sneezy.