Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am 24 years old and have been suffering from allergic rhinitis for years. Recently, it has been triggered by the most random things, particularly strong perfumes. If someone walks past me in a hallway wearing heavy cologne, I start sneezing nonstop within minutes, my eyes water, and my nose becomes completely blocked.
I am already taking Cetirizine daily and using a nasal spray, but they barely help when this happens. I do not understand why strong perfumes trigger my allergic rhinitis so severely at 24. Is my sensitivity just getting worse over time, or is something else going on?
My allergist conducted a skin prick test and found that I am reactive to multiple chemical fragrances, and my IgE levels came back quite high. Is there any way to desensitize myself to these triggers, or is avoidance the only option?
Please guide.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Worsening reactions to perfumes due to increased IgE levels and a positive skin test to fragrance chemicals at 24 years old mean chemical hypersensitivity, a component of allergic rhinitis, and not the condition that simply worsens without any reason.
Fragrance chemicals are irritants and allergens present in the air and affecting the nose and eyes, causing mast cell activation and nerve ending irritation. With time, your immune system becomes sensitive to such irritants.
There is no desensitization for fragrance chemicals similar to pollen or dust mite allergy, since allergen immunotherapy is not effective in this case.
The best solution will be avoiding the allergen by means of choosing fragrance-free products, asking people around you to avoid perfume usage, using a HEPA filter and wearing a mask in areas where risk of exposure is increased like elevators.
For symptom relief, you may try an antihistamine nasal spray like Azelastine. It is faster acting compared to Cetirizine taken orally in combination with your existing therapy. Saline rinse can be used after each exposure to remove irritating agent.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Thank you for reaching out.
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