by guest blogger Alexandra Scranton, director of science and research for Women's Voices for the Earth
Have you ever used a scented product that resulted in itchy, red, or blotchy skin? Or have you had a rash that's hard to predict or control that you suspect might be caused by products in your home? If so, you are not alone. Millions of people in the U.S. have been sensitized to ingredients in fragrance, making them predisposed to allergic reactions like contact dermatitis. In fact, "fragrance allergy" is one of the most common diagnoses among dermatology patients.
The problem:
- Up to 11 percent of the population is sensitized to fragrance
- Women are two to three times more likely than men to be allergic to fragrance
- Rates of skin allergies in children have risen dramatically over the past few decades
- Billions of healthcare dollars are spent each year in the U.S. for treatment of these skin conditions
- Chemicals used in fragranced products--such as phthalates--have been associated with reduced sperm count and reproductive problems.
If you are diagnosed with a skin allergy to fragrance, or want to avoid fragrances for precautionary health reasons, how can you avoid them? It's a lot tougher than you might think.
A fragrance can be made up of dozens or even hundreds of different chemicals. One fragrance can be made up of completely different chemicals from another. Among these chemicals are numerous known allergens such as geraniol, eugenol, citronellol. Additionally, several hazardous chemicals can be found in fragrance: phthalates, which have been linked to reproductive harm; synthetic musks, which may alter hormone levels; and cancer-causing chemicals like styrene and methyl eugenol. But you won't find these ingredients listed on product labels--you'll just see the word "fragrance."
Because the fragrance industry is extremely competitive, the actual ingredients in a fragrance are usually kept secret. Again, you'll only ever see them listed on a product label as "fragrance" or "parfum." So you can almost never tell whether a particular fragrance might contain an allergen or toxic chemical that affects you. Some fragrance-allergy patients are able to find scented products they can tolerate, but it can be a difficult and painful trial-and-error process.
So, how can you avoid fragrance allergens or other hidden harmful fragrance chemicals?
One option is to choose fragrance-free products. This includes all kinds of household products--from cosmetics you apply to your skin, to cleaning products, dryer sheets, and air fresheners. Going fragrance free isn't all that simple, however. Even "unscented" products may contain fragrance ingredients as "masking agents" to neutralize the inherent smell of other ingredients in the product. And for some product categories, finding a fragrance-free option is really difficult. For example:
- 96 percent of shampoos contain fragrance
- 98 percent of conditioners contain fragrance
- 95 percent of shaving products contain fragrance
- 91 percent of antiperspirants contain fragrance.
And although lotion use is commonly recommended to prevent dry skin conditions, 83 percent of lotions contain fragrance, which can predispose you to allergic skin reactions!
Unfortunately, going fragrance free can be time-consuming and expensive, and can leave you and your family with few options for products you might like to use.
Another Solution to the Problem
The biggest problem with fragrance is the secrecy that surrounds them. Due to the proprietary nature of fragrance ingredients, healthcare providers are limited in their ability to assess and diagnose which specific allergens are of greatest significance. If consumers knew what their problem allergens were, and could tell from a label if a product contained them, they would have a much easier time finding products they could tolerate without symptoms. Similarly, consumers looking to avoid specific toxic chemicals of concern can only do so if those ingredients are disclosed.
Which is why I believe fragrance ingredients, including allergens, should be disclosed to consumers to allow them to protect their health and avoid the specific substances they wish to avoid. And safer alternatives should be found for toxic chemicals that put our health at risk.
So, let's send a letter to the fragrance industry asking them to disclose fragrance ingredients to their customers. Visit Women's Voices for the Earth, to download the full report Secret Scents: How Hidden Fragrance Allergens Harm Public Health, view the Secret Scents infographic, and find out how we can make our voices heard.
Alexandra Scranton is the Director of Science and Research at Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE). Alex authors WVE's scientific reports and provides scientific review for the organization's programs. Prior to working at WVE, she worked in the epidemiology and statistics unit at the American Lung Association headquarters in New York. She has a Masters degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana and a BA from Amherst College. Alexandra lives and works from Pullman, WA, with her husband and two beautiful daughters.
For more from Maria Rodale, go to www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.