© Shutterstock

Track your triggers -

A good first step in learning to cope with fragrance sensitivity is to identify your triggers. For example, is there a particular brand of perfume or laundry detergent that bothers you?

© Shutterstock

Track your triggers -

Try to keep a note of when your symptoms arise, perhaps in a notebook or even on your phone. This will help you identify patterns, and hopefully a cause.

© Shutterstock

Be prepared -

There are certain situations in which you may be exposed to more unwelcome fragrances than normal. At parties, for example, many people may wear perfume or cologne.

© Shutterstock

Be prepared -

Make sure you are prepared for these events; if you take medication to alleviate your symptoms, be sure to bring these with you to high-risk events.

© Shutterstock

Get a flu shot -

More often than not, scent sensitivity is caused by an allergic reaction. If your immune system is already compromised due to illness, your symptoms will be worse.

© Shutterstock

Get a flu shot -

That’s why it is worth considering a flu shot during the winter each year. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor first to check if it's suitable.

© Shutterstock

Consider an air purifier -

You might find that an air purifier is an effective way to get rid of unwanted scents in your home. These are easy to find online or in your local department store.

© Shutterstock

Consider an air purifier -

If an air purifier is out of budget for you, fear not! A standard fan may also do the trick and for a much smaller price.

© Shutterstock

See a doctor -

Bear in mind that scent sensitivity is much more than an inconvenience: it is a recognized medical condition. You might consider speaking to a doctor about your experience.

© Shutterstock

See a doctor -

Your doctor may well test you for certain allergies, and they should recommend medications and/or lifestyle changes that can help alleviate your symptoms.

© Shutterstock

Educate others -

One of the most challenging aspects of scent sensitivity is that it is often triggered by others. This means tricky conversations are sometimes necessary.

© Shutterstock

Educate others -

A good place to start when talking to other people about your sensitivity is to explain to them courteously what it is and how they can help you cope.

© Shutterstock

Ask politely -

You may want to ask people politely to limit their use of certain products. For example, you might have noticed your colleague’s hand cream triggers your symptoms.

© Shutterstock

Ask politely -

If that’s the case, you could approach your colleague and politely ask them to use a different hand cream or leave it at home.

© Shutterstock

Explain it’s not personal -

People can sometimes be offended by the request to cut back on scented products; they can sometimes take it as a personal judgment.

© Shutterstock

Explain it’s not personal -

Try to reassure the individual or individuals in question that your request has nothing to do with them personally; it’s just that you do not want to be routinely exposed to an allergen!

© Shutterstock

Speak to your boss - If things really are too much at work, you might consider speaking to your boss about altering your work environment.

© Shutterstock

Speak to your boss -

Indeed, your boss may be able to better accommodate your needs, perhaps by installing an air purifier or giving you a desk spot by the window.

© Shutterstock

Ask about flexible working -

You might even consider asking whether it would be possible to have some flexibility in your work, perhaps the option to work from home on certain days.

© Shutterstock

Ask about flexible working -

That way you could plan to avoid the office on days where you know there will be triggers for your scent sensitivities there.

© Shutterstock

Avoid certain products -

We have spoken about identifying your triggers, and of course if you can identify the products that trigger you it’s best to avoid those.

© Shutterstock

Avoid certain products -

However, it can be difficult to identify an exact trigger, and so it’s worth remembering that there are products that are best to avoid in general.

© Shutterstock

"Fragrance-free" -

For example, products labeled "fragrance-free" are generally a safe bet; these should not contain any chemicals or compounds known to trigger allergic reactions.

© Shutterstock

"Unscented" -

Products labeled "unscented," by contrast, may contain potential allergens, despite the fact that the product itself does not have a smell.

© Shutterstock

Chemical culprits -

It is also worth scanning the label of a given product for certain chemicals that are likely to affect scent sensitivity.

© Shutterstock

Chemical culprits -

These include: acetone, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, camphor, ethanol, ethyl acetate, g-Terpinene, limonene, and linalool.

© Shutterstock

Avoid scented candles -

This one perhaps goes without saying, but it’s best to avoid scented candles. These are likely to contain ingredients that could trigger an allergic reaction.

© Shutterstock

Avoid scented candles -

If you want to freshen your home, try using fresh flowers instead. Natural scents are less likely to trigger your sensitivity than synthetic fragrances.

© Shutterstock

Be careful during the holiday season -

Bear in mind that the holiday season can be particularly difficult for scent sensitivity sufferers. There are fragrances thrown about more often than normal.

© Shutterstock

Be careful during the holiday season -

Stores in particular tend to use a lot of artificial scents during the holiday period. You may want to bring any prescribed medication with you when you’re out shopping.

Sources: (WikiHow) (Verywell Health)

See also: The smelliest cities in the world (for good and bad)

© Shutterstock