Ashhar Alam

A recent case in Pune highlights how something as seemingly harmless as perfume could affect health, especially in infants. Doctors were puzzled when a child under two continued to suffer from a persistent cough for nearly eight months, despite multiple consultations and extensive tests. Viral infections, asthma, acid reflux, allergies, and other respiratory disorders were all ruled out, but the cough didn’t stop.

The breakthrough came when doctors looked at the child’s daily environment. They discovered that the mother regularly wore a strong perfume while caring for the baby. Prolonged exposure to the fragrance, doctors suspected, was irritating the child’s sensitive airways. Once scented products were avoided, the cough gradually disappeared within weeks.

Why Young Lungs Are More Sensitive
Infants and toddlers have developing respiratory systems, making them more vulnerable to environmental irritants. What may seem harmless to adults like a fragrance can provoke a strong reaction in young children.

Perfumes are complex chemical blends, containing alcohol, solvents, synthetic fragrances, and volatile compounds that easily become airborne. Dr A S Sandhya, Consultant in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at Kailash Hospital, explains, “Coughing or allergy-like reactions from perfumes are more common than people think. Most cases aren’t true allergies, they’re irritation of the airways.” She adds that inhaling strong scents stimulates nerve endings in the respiratory tract, causing the airways to react as they would to smoke or cold air.

Irritation vs Allergy
Perfume-related reactions are often misdiagnosed because people confuse irritation with a true allergy. While fragrance allergies primarily affect the skin, causing rashes or redness, breathing-related symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or throat irritation are usually irritation. Strong scents can even trigger histamine release, mimicking allergy symptoms without an immune response.

Dr Vikram Jeet Singh, Senior Consultant at Aakash Healthcare, notes, “Perfumes contain alcohol and volatile organic compounds that can inflame the airways. People with asthma, sinus problems, or sensitive lungs may experience cough, throat irritation, watery eyes, headaches, or worsening breathing issues.”

Who’s at Risk?
Not everyone reacts to fragrances, but sensitivity varies. Infants, people with asthma, chronic respiratory conditions, acid reflux, or generally sensitive airways are more likely to be affected. Environmental factors like pollution, dry air, seasonal allergens, or repeated exposure in closed spaces can worsen reactions.

Dr Aditya Deshmukh, Internal Medicine expert at Apollo Spectra Pune, warns, “Strong perfumes are often underestimated. They can quietly trigger cough, allergies, and breathing discomfort, especially if used daily.”

Signs Your Perfume Could Be Causing Problems
Experts advise observing when symptoms occur. If coughing, sneezing, throat irritation, or breathlessness appears soon after applying perfume or being near someone wearing it, it may indicate sensitivity. Symptoms often worsen in enclosed spaces and improve once exposure stops. Dr Singh suggests keeping a simple log of symptom patterns to help identify triggers.

Managing the Reaction
To reduce risk, use perfumes sparingly, avoid spraying near the face, neck, or chest, and ensure proper ventilation. Fragrance-free alternatives are recommended, especially around infants and children. Parents should also avoid scented room fresheners, incense, cigarette smoke, and harsh cleaning products near young ones.

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Persistent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or breathlessness should not be ignored, as they may indicate underlying conditions requiring medical attention.