I don't suffer from sensitivity to fragrances, but I do get irritated when out for a walk in the wood and I pass someone and all I can smell is their washing powder/fabric conditioner.
I spent a couple of weeks in the wilds of Outer Mongolia a few years ago. It was horrendous coming home as I was so aware of all the artificial scents that surround us - going through duty free and the first few visits to a supermarket were a nightmare; it was olfactory overload - most unpleasant!
Duty free at Gatwick is particularly awful. A seemingly mile long rat-run shaped like multiple “S”s laced with sales people ready to spray you as you pass. We generally take a deep breath and run (always fun to see security guards’ faces when we do). 😂
Thanks for commenting and sharing your own experiences, Lynn. What you describe after your trip to Outer Mongolia is what I experience day to day. As a result I tend to avoid crowded places and many social situations. It can be very isolating, especially as it’s hard to explain to people.
I went out to the ‘Loony Dook’ on new year’s day and where I should have got a waft of ozone all I could smell initially was everyone’s personal care products (and alcohol after Hogmanay, but that doesn’t affect me!) It is disconcerting to be outside and still be impacted by scent overload.
I wish more people would go scent free for a while and re-acclimatise their senses, but I guess that’s not going to happen. Not that I wish my issues on anyone else.
Over the years of being with you, and not using fragranced products, I now have a much clearer sense of smell. So much so, that it causes me a headache when I come across the fragrances you describe. However, because I had serious difficulties in breathing through my nose as a child, I can switch to just breathing through my mouth, which is a saving grace. I’ve witnessed the problems that fragrances cause you and I’m now very aware of, and hyper-protective about this whenever I know we’re going somewhere or having visitors. Fragrances being the multi-billion pound industry that it is, I don’t see it changing anytime soon.
I don't suffer from sensitivity to fragrances, but I do get irritated when out for a walk in the wood and I pass someone and all I can smell is their washing powder/fabric conditioner.
I spent a couple of weeks in the wilds of Outer Mongolia a few years ago. It was horrendous coming home as I was so aware of all the artificial scents that surround us - going through duty free and the first few visits to a supermarket were a nightmare; it was olfactory overload - most unpleasant!
Duty free at Gatwick is particularly awful. A seemingly mile long rat-run shaped like multiple “S”s laced with sales people ready to spray you as you pass. We generally take a deep breath and run (always fun to see security guards’ faces when we do). 😂
Thanks for commenting and sharing your own experiences, Lynn. What you describe after your trip to Outer Mongolia is what I experience day to day. As a result I tend to avoid crowded places and many social situations. It can be very isolating, especially as it’s hard to explain to people.
I went out to the ‘Loony Dook’ on new year’s day and where I should have got a waft of ozone all I could smell initially was everyone’s personal care products (and alcohol after Hogmanay, but that doesn’t affect me!) It is disconcerting to be outside and still be impacted by scent overload.
I wish more people would go scent free for a while and re-acclimatise their senses, but I guess that’s not going to happen. Not that I wish my issues on anyone else.
Over the years of being with you, and not using fragranced products, I now have a much clearer sense of smell. So much so, that it causes me a headache when I come across the fragrances you describe. However, because I had serious difficulties in breathing through my nose as a child, I can switch to just breathing through my mouth, which is a saving grace. I’ve witnessed the problems that fragrances cause you and I’m now very aware of, and hyper-protective about this whenever I know we’re going somewhere or having visitors. Fragrances being the multi-billion pound industry that it is, I don’t see it changing anytime soon.