This site has been updated January 2007 and there is new information in all books.
In
The Air - Be Aware
- Introduction
An introductory information.
In
The Air - Be Aware
Sensory Hyperreactivity - A new diagnosis. Airway problems caused by
scents and chemical substances.
This
information is for a person who suffers from – or knows someone who suffers
from – hypersensitivity to scents or sensitivity to chemical
substances (chemical irritants). For the sake of simplicity, the term
"hypersensitivity to scents" will be used (symptoms after contact with
substances such as perfume, aftershave lotion, perfumed laundry detergents,
paint etc.), but it will also refer to sensitivity to other chemical
substances such as solvents, cigarette smoke, and exhaust fumes.
Though
sensitivity to different scents and chemical substances is a growing problem,
very little research has been carried out in this field. Because it is not known
how many people actually suffer from hypersensitivity to scents, and there is no
systematic survey of the symptoms, the reports about the subject are often
difficult to interpret. The causes of the problems are unknown, and until now
there are no diagnostic tests, which further increase the confusion.
Hypersensitivity to scents in the airways resembles asthma and allergies in many
ways, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis and use of medications. There is a
great need for information regarding hypersensitivity to scents. Consequently,
the aim of this information is to gather the existing knowledge and try to
present it clearly for non-experts. This is not a scientific article, but
general information in a field where the concepts are often hazy and
contradictory. Hopefully this collection of information will lead to increased
understanding about hypersensitivity to scents.
During the last decade, increasing research activity at the Asthma and Allergy Center, Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden has been devoted to patients with asthma- and allergy-like airway symptoms triggered by scents and other chemical substances. Patients may also experience worsening symptoms from exposure to cold and physical exertion. The main purpose of this information is to focus on airway symptoms, even if other conditions are also involved. The number of referrals to the allergy department is growing for symptoms triggered by scents and chemicals, often with no underlying asthma or allergy. The usual asthma and allergy medications have little or no effect. These symptoms are currently under study in various ways at the Asthma and Allergy Center. Researchers are also studying the patients very carefully and recording their various symptoms; which represents how the symptoms have objectively been demonstrated and blocked. A diagnostic test is currently under development; and hopefully this will be a good aid in the future.
Table
of contents:
- Introduction
- Some common case history
- Hypersensitivity to scents in general
- Hypersensitivity to scents resulting in airways symptoms
- Current research findings – provocations with perfume
- Current research findings – development of a capsaicin test
- Allergy and Asthma
- General on scents
- Our use of scented products
- Living with hypersensitivity to scents
- References