What causes Fragrance allergy?
Your rash may have been caused by one or more fragrance materials coming into contact with your skin.These materials are used in almost every product that produces a characteristic scent or which covers an unpleasant smell. A perfume may contain 10 – 300 different compounds, so identifying the exact fragrance to which you are allergic may be extremely difficult.
What is in fragrances?
1. Natural compounds from plants, trees, blossoms, fruit, seeds, bark, roots, resins
2. Synthetic products
3. Animal products (sometimes)
Possible sources of fragrances depending on site of rash
Head, Face & Neck:
Behind the ears: perfume
Face: perfume, shaving creams, soaps, aftershave
Streaky rash: eau de cologne
Face, eyelids:
Airborne musk ambrette in burned incense.
Hands:
Kitchen spices, perfumes, eau de cologne, cosmetics, skin care products, soaps, cleansers, shampoos, hair care products, antiperspirants, facial & eye make – up, lip cosmetics, shaving creams, suntan lotions, bath additives, baby care products. Fragrances are also used in toothpaste, mouthwashes, dental floss, household detergents, polishes, waxes, nappies, facial tissues, toilet paper, toilet waters, fabric softeners.
Industrial exposure:
Cutting fluids, electroplating fluids, paints, rubber, plastics, insecticides, additives in air conditioning, natural fragrances (e.g. cinnamon, clove, vanilla, cardamom) are found in many flavoured foods; e.g. soft drinks, liqueurs, cakes, pastries, sweets, chewing gum, cough syrup, ice-cream, sauces, soups, tobacco.