Fragrance has been chosen of American Contact Dermatitis Society as 'Allergen of the year 2007'.
A perfume may contain hundreds of different chemical, named fragrances, which are complex substances. More than 2,800 fragrance ingredients are known and at least 1000 of these ingredients are known allergen.
Recently, the European Union (EU) designated 26 fragrance allergens as requiring labeling on cosmetic and detergent products.
Many persons are sensitive to fragrances (ie, have positive patch-test reactions), but not all of these individuals have clinical allergies to fragrances (allergic contact dermatitis, ACD). Allergy is a disease whereas a positive patch-test result is an allergic reaction. Thus one may be sensitive (ie, by patch testing) to fragrance, but not necessarily develop clinical allergy (ie, ACD).
When dermatologists advise their patients to avoid all fragranced products on the basis of a very weak positive (maybe irritant) fragrance mix patch-test reaction, the dermatologist deprive the patients of one of life's pleasures.
Certainly, patients with very strong product fragrance material use-test or patch-test reactions should be urged to use more caution when selecting scented products.
Much mystery still surrounds fragrances and perfumes. Therefore many people seek "natural" scents, which may, however, give rise to troublesome allergies.
Reference: Frances J. Storrs. Allergen of the year. Dermatitis: 2007;18(1):3-7.
Accessed 20th of September 2007 at medscape.com.
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