|
September 18, 2012 | Exposure to scents could cause eczema, dermatitis, allergies, asthma and migraine |
London:Fragrance from air fresheners, scented candles and other
perfumes could have adverse effects on people who come into contact with them. A study suggested that perfumed products could affect people’s health, causing problems including allergies, asthma and migraine, and even interfere with their sexual desire, the Daily Mail reported. A major
problem is so-called ‘contact’ allergy — where perfumes and scented products trigger
eczema and dermatitis after coming in contact with the skin, the report said.
Molecules in the fragrances triggered an immune response, causing itchiness and
even scaly, cracked skin, it added. “Allergies are on the increase, and the amount
of perfumed products is also on the rise,” Dr Susannah Baron, consultant dermatologist
at Kent and Canterbury hospital, and BMI Chaucer Hospital , said. “Fragrance allergy
can show up as contact dermatitis in the site a perfumed product is applied, or
as a flare-up of existing eczema. It can be a real problem,” she said. The report
quoted two surveys conducted by Anne Steinemann, professor of civil and environmental
engineering and public affairs at the University of Washington , as finding more
than 30 per cent of the public reported adverse health effects from being exposed
to scents in ordinary life. “Fragrance suggests cleanliness — yet people are smelling
a potentially hazardous chemical mixture. We often use them to mask one problem
— as with air fresheners — but create a greater one — adding toxic chemicals to
the air,” the paper quoted her, as saying. “Since then, I have received thousands
of messages from people all over the world saying they get sick around fragranced
products. “They are suffering seizures, losing consciousness, can’t concentrate
on work, as well as suffering rashes, migraine headaches and asthma attacks,” she added. |
|
|
|
Visit Indian Travel Sites
Goa,
Kerala,
Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh,
Delhi,
Rajasthan,
Uttar Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh,
Assam,
Sikkim,
Karnataka,
Madhya Pradesh,
Jammu & Kashmir
Gujarat
Puducherry
|