Increase in artificial scents sensitivity - anyone else?

[lenora]

I'm sure that you're 100% right @Tammy that you neighbor isn't being helped by perfuming each room of her home.

I wonder why people don't think of that problem? It's true that there is an odor to everything today and, personally, it puts me off. I don't even wear perfumes and I will say that people in general tend to wear less scent than they used to. So perhaps we're not the only ones affected. Hope so. Yours, Lenora

 

[L'engle]

I've been thinking about it, and I can't recall encountering any strong scents in the past few years. My sense of smell seems normal, but when I visit town, I don't notice any perfume or cologne or laundry scents. I do recall a woman wearing strong perfume, but that was one incident many years ago. Maybe people in small towns use less scents, and are more accepting of normal body odours? If someone isn't expecting to encounter people during the day, why bother with perfume, makeup, etc?

I suspect it is worse for our American friends than it is here. I find the scent of dryer sheets unbearable but there is a general culture of highly scented products being less acceptable in public, at least where I live.

 

[belize44]

I had to go to a lab to get a blood test. So as soon as I entered the vestibule of the building, I was hit with a wall of artificial scent. It was so thick that I felt suffocated. The fact that this little entry way was enclosed by two outside doors and then with two more to enter the waiting room, meant that the odor was sealed in that space and couldn't dissipate. When I entered the waiting room, the smell was there as well.

I arrived home reeking of this smell and had to take everything off and throw it in the washer. This addiction to scent that is going on today is ridiculous.

 

[lenora]

Yes, @belize44, I agree. Of course I'm old enough to remember when everything was unscented. However, I do believe the rise in allergies today is a direct result of what you're referring to.

I have allergies that are non-stop, it seems. Something like you're describing would be unbearable for me. Funny, the only scents I can stand are the ones from long ago. Try finding unscented candles today...well, except for those made with beeswax.

Actually, everyone in our family comments on them....negatively, I may add. So, yes, it is a problem and complaining about it is the only thing to do. Yours, Lenora

 

[belize44]

One more complaint, lol. It is especially maddening when I run a fan in the bedroom window for fresh air and the room fills with the laundry smells of someone on our block.

 

[perchance dreamer]

In my city, many building now have scented cleaning products that permeate the entire building so that even if an office is not using a scented candle or incense, there's still a smell.

A common belief is that people with fragrance sensitivities can tolerate essential oils. Well, I can't. Any essential oil, including lavender, gives me the same symptoms as artificial fragrances.

 

[Nord Wolf]

It won't help outside the home, but this has been a lifesaver for us inside:
https://airdoctorpro.com/?c=brandx&affid=353&oid=22&sub1=184088795&sub2=280

 

[belize44]

It won't help outside the home, but this has been a lifesaver for us inside:
https://airdoctorpro.com/?c=brandx&affid=353&oid=22&sub1=184088795&sub2=280

We have an air purifier here. But it is still a shame when what is supposed to fresh air is tainted before you can breath it.

The other night we had the windows open, and a fan pulling fresh air all through the house. suddenly the house filled up with the smell of a skunk, and we had to shut the windows and put on the air purifier!

 

[Judee]

This addiction to scent that is going on today is ridiculous.

One website said these chemicals really are neuro-addictive. I'm thinking just like a drug would be.

 

[belize44]

One website said these chemicals really are neuro-addictive. I'm thinking just like a drug would be.

Oh, that would explain a lot! I wish there was something that could be done about it, though.

 

[Wishful]

But it is still a shame when what is supposed to fresh air is tainted before you can breath it.

I expect fish and other aquatic life say the same thing about pollution.

 

[belize44]

I expect fish and other aquatic life say the same thing about pollution.

Yes, that is true.

 

[belize44]

I took short walk in a local park once and this guy passed me on the trail, leaving behind a veritable cloud of synthetic scent. I nearly gagged! Something about that smell goes down my throat and leaves a taste behind.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

with the smell of a skunk,

I just had to comment that over time, I got rather used to the smell of ambient skunk...and grew rather fond of it. Living rurally.


Not the direct skunk hit. (I had to drive home once, after a direct hit to the dog, with every window open on the car, I could hardly see to drive...it was SO INTENSE.)

 

[belize44]

I just had to comment that over time, I got rather used to the smell of ambient skunk...and grew rather fond of it. Living rurally.


Not the direct skunk hit. (I had to drive home once, after a direct hit to the dog, with every window open on the car, I could hardly see to drive...it was SO INTENSE.)

I do find a faint smell of skunk not bothersome at all, but that blast that swept through the house was intense, indeed! And I would rather smell skunk than synthetic stuff any day.

 

[godlovesatrier]

Biological powder causes me a full on meltdown. We keep it for emergencies only, I do wonder what is it in it tho to make us feel THAT unwell. I can tolerate bleach now but couldn't for awhile, I do wear a mask tho these days, makes a big difference.

 

[Wishful]

I got rather used to the smell of ambient skunk...and grew rather fond of it.

Me too.

Not the direct skunk hit.

Me too!!!

 

[perchance dreamer]

Two people I went to culinary school with also said they like the smell of skunk.

 

[belize44]

I find the scent of vanilla only appealing in edible things. I really dislike it in hygiene products.

 

[Wishful]

Two people I went to culinary school with also said they like the smell of skunk.

Skunks are also cute, and well-mannered (if you're not trying to raise chicks or other tempting dinners). My brother-in-law's family raised one as a pet, without de-scenting.