How does the use of perfumes in public places affect y... - EFA

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How does the use of perfumes in public places affect your asthma, allergy or COPD?

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An EFA member in Belgium recently distributed an article about how the use of strong perfumes and perfumed chemicals in public spaces negatively affects asthma, allergy and COPD patients. Do perfumes ever cause you problems?

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jojam profile image
jojam

I have COPD & I find that some people tend to overdo the amount of perfumed products which makes it overpowering this does affect my breathing. I do not however find perfume used correctly in discreet amount affects me.

yes I avoid stores that have perfume counters, or if they are big enough I just avoid that part of the shop. I do not use the aisles in supermarkets with the laundry and cleaning products. If some one is wearing perfume or hairspray I move away from them. If I don't I find that I need to use the ventolin inhaler. Small amounts of those smells seem to put me on alert, but they don't have me reaching for the inhaler

Recently diagnosed with severe COPD, but for at least 10 years, I've suffered whenever I'm around someone wearing strong perfume, or perfumed items, such as cleaning products.

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secondhandrose2

I love even quite heavy perfumes when I am wearing them but sat behind someone in a large concert hall and couldn't breathe, choked throughout the concert the smell was so overbearing - my husband commented too and he has no sense of smell. I have been diagnosed with mild asthma after becoming breathless whilst climbing hills or walking fast, but get nasal drip and chesty cough in response to irritants. I buy regularly from e-bay and have just been in the middle of a choking cough, still feel clogged up in my chest now from the inflammation - discovered it is undoubtedly in response to an item of clothing, there is a particular smell which I think people from some other culture must wear as it is a new smell to me, every time clothes have the particular smell which I don't notice I choke and then realise why. I wonder whether I may have COPD but haven't asked GP to check, may do so after today, am left with a headache too and feel exhausted as if I have flu.