If you or someone you care about suffers from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, an acquired illness characterized by severe reactions to scents (and other irritants) easily tolerated by most individuals, you may find yourself repeatedly asking the question “How do I discretely get him/ her to switch fragrances?” Or maybe you’ve just started dating or rooming with someone whose cologne has got you gagging. Whatever your scenario, reactions to certain scents can range from sinus congestion and watery eyes through more serious reactions such as temporary rashes, flu-like symptoms with headache, nausea, and muscle or joint pain, to debilitating reactions including migraine and asthma attack.

Whether it’s in the boardroom or classroom or just in public places like your favorite restaurant, approaching someone about their scent can be a sensitive issue. Many people take comments or opinions about their perfume choice very personally. The following suggestions may help you communicate with the person whose aroma is troubling you.  

·    If the scent is being worn by someone in your school or office and you know the person well, approach them directly. Explain what the problem is. Let them know openly and gently what you think you are reacting to and explain the kind of reaction(s) their fragrance causes you to have.

·    Ask your coworker to consider switching to unscented products.

·    Most people are not aware of how tolerant they’ve become to their own perfume or cologne. If they are simply wearing too much of the product, suggest that they switch scents for just two days to get reacquainted with the potency of their signature sent.

·    Model the correct way to apply a fragrance (perhaps a humorous memo or note): One, no more than two, squirts into the air and walk through. 

·    If this is happening at work and you feel that direct contact with the scent would worsen your reaction or if you don`t feel comfortable approaching the person wearing the scent, speak to your supervisor. If necessary ask your supervisor to relocate you to another area until the scent has diminished or cleared.

·    If the culprit is your boy/girlfriend or a close friend, have them go perfume shopping with you. This is a great and non-threatening environment for you to explain your sensitivity or preferences to heavy scents. Perhaps you will even have the opportunity to suggest a new scent for them.

·    Try a small table fan if possible. Circulating air is very helpful when tolerating scents.

·    Use the samples in magazines to get across your scent likes and dislikes.

Intolerance to fragrance is increasingly problematic as asthma continues to rise as a health and safety issue. Use these simple guidelines to customize your approach.

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