NEWS
Abstain from Perfumes and Aftershaves for One Day - National Fragrance Free Day on June 13th
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation is asking the public to abstain from perfumes and aftershaves for one day to stand in solidarity with sufferers of respiratory conditions and bring greater awareness to their plight.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation says perfumes and other fragranced products are one of the biggest triggers for asthma attacks.<
And it is declaring Tuesday (June 13) ‘National Fragrance-Free Day’ to bring the public health issue to public consciousness and raise funds for educational workshops to support Scotland’s hundreds of thousands of asthmatics.
AAF Chief Executive Martina Chukwuma-Ezike explained: “Along with cigarette and vape smoke and air pollution, perfume is one of the leading causes of asthma attacks. “When people with asthma inhale perfume they can experience a range of symptoms related to their respiratory system. The chemicals contained within these products can irritate the airways, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and, ultimately, an asthma attack.
“As a charity, we are trying to create a society in Scotland which is sensitive to the needs of asthma sufferers and to raise greater awareness around asthma and the impact of strong smells (perfumes), we are asking people to abstain from wearing fragrances on the on June 13th to show support for asthma sufferers across the UK.
“This, we hope, will lead to people thinking twice before they put on aftershave and perfume in the future out of consideration for colleagues, friends, and family with asthma. “We have heard some horrendous stories of serious and life-threatening asthma attacks caused by strong perfume and it is for this reason we are seeking a sea-change in the national mindset.”
Martina herself suffers from an extreme form of asthma and has personal experience of being physically triggered by fragrances.
She added: “We decided to make the Asthma and Allergy Foundation offices ‘fragrance free’ a long time ago. The staff know that my asthma is potentially life-threatening and that perfumes are a massive trigger. In an attempt to do everything, we can to support people with asthma, we want to try and act as an example and see this replicated throughout other work places.
“We are also inviting those who are kind enough to take part to donate £2 towards asthma education so we can continue our work supporting Scotland’s 368,000 asthmatics.”
Martina said the charity, which has offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, is seeking to make ‘National Fragrance-Free Day’ an annual event.
AAF Chief Executive Martina Chukwuma-Ezike explained: “Along with cigarette and vape smoke and air pollution, perfume is one of the leading causes of asthma attacks. “When people with asthma inhale perfume they can experience a range of symptoms related to their respiratory system. The chemicals contained within these products can irritate the airways, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and, ultimately, an asthma attack.
“As a charity, we are trying to create a society in Scotland which is sensitive to the needs of asthma sufferers and to raise greater awareness around asthma and the impact of strong smells (perfumes), we are asking people to abstain from wearing fragrances on the on June 13th to show support for asthma sufferers across the UK.
“This, we hope, will lead to people thinking twice before they put on aftershave and perfume in the future out of consideration for colleagues, friends, and family with asthma. “We have heard some horrendous stories of serious and life-threatening asthma attacks caused by strong perfume and it is for this reason we are seeking a sea-change in the national mindset.”
Martina herself suffers from an extreme form of asthma and has personal experience of being physically triggered by fragrances.
She added: “We decided to make the Asthma and Allergy Foundation offices ‘fragrance free’ a long time ago. The staff know that my asthma is potentially life-threatening and that perfumes are a massive trigger. In an attempt to do everything, we can to support people with asthma, we want to try and act as an example and see this replicated throughout other work places.
“We are also inviting those who are kind enough to take part to donate £2 towards asthma education so we can continue our work supporting Scotland’s 368,000 asthmatics.”
Martina said the charity, which has offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, is seeking to make ‘National Fragrance-Free Day’ an annual event.
Perfumes often contain chemicals that can irritate the airways, causing an asthma attack. This response is usually part of the body’s defense mechanisms against potentially harmful substances. When these irritants enter the respiratory system, they can trigger a response that narrows the airways.
And some chemicals in perfumes can act as sensitizers, substances that may not initially cause an allergic reaction but can trigger one after repeated exposures. After enough exposure, an individual may develop a sensitivity to this substance and subsequently have an asthma attack when exposed.
Research also shows that many perfumes contain VOCs, which are gases emitted from certain solids or liquids, including many types of fragrances. These compounds can contribute to indoor air pollution and may exacerbate asthma symptoms.
The charity advice that to reduce the risk of asthma symptoms or an asthma attack, people with asthma or who are sensitive to perfumes consider the following:
– Using unscented or fragrance-free products.
– Using natural products, but with caution, as these can still cause asthma symptoms.
– Avoiding areas where perfumes are heavily used.
– Keeping windows open or using fans to circulate air when possible.
– Communicating with people in your environment about your sensitivity to perfume.
But Martina said: “It’s important for each individual to know their own asthma triggers and how to manage them. Consulting with a healthcare professional can provide personalised advice and treatment options. It is vital we empower our service users with the correct and proper knowledge, and we always try and explain they have a part to play as self-management is key in helping people with asthma live well with their condition. But we want the public to also become more aware and willing to support those living with lung conditions.”
In the last ten years, 1,162 people have died in Scotland from asthma.
If you want to make donation of £2 or more, as part of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation’s ‘National Fragrance-Free Day’ please use the following link here
