Signs encourage patrons not to wear perfumes, colognes - FOX Carolina 21
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When flowers bloom and grass grows many experience sniffling and sneezing attacks. But now even the sweetest smelling perfumes and colognes are causing coughs and allergic fragrance flare-ups.
"They'll cause me to itch around my nose and my face, or other times I'll have respiratory difficulty," said Mary Pinson.
Pinson is allergic to perfumes and colognes.
"I noticed it probably when I would start to go into the fragrance area of the mall," said Pinson.
That's why she always has her inhaler and her EpiPen handy, just in case she has an allergic attack. Pinson said because of her allergy she no longer wears perfume.
"It's pleasant, but it's unpleasant to you because it makes you sick," said Pinson.
A new report shows more government agencies, businesses and health facilities are posting signs to encourage customers and patients not to wear perfume at their businesses because of allergies.
There is a sign posted at Greenville Hospital System's Life Center. It states, "...please do not use perfumes or colognes."
Dr. Neil Kao, is an allergist with the Allergic Disease and Asthma Center in Greenville County.
"This is just something you wouldn't have heard of five or ten years ago," said Kao.
He treats many patients with perfume and fragrance allergies and said severe cases can be very dangerous.
"Usually when the lungs and the heart are affected we call that anaphylaxis," said Kao.
He said anaphylaxis is a term that means an allergic reaction to the entire body.
"People are becoming more educated," said Kao.
So, when Pinson sees a posted sign that encourages people to lay off perfumes, she can breathe easier.
"Let them be the lovely fragrances they're supposed to be, not overwhelming," said Pinson.
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