Allergic to fragrances: "Your aftershave could kill me"

From WA Today:

"The 68-year-old has always been sensitive to fragrances, but she thinks it was in her 30s that her allergy became more serious.

Since then she has lived in fear of fragrances. Flowers such as jasmine or daffodils, scented candles and potpourri pose the same risk as perfume.

Standing within three metres of someone wearing scent can trigger a reaction within minutes."

References:
Hospital a risky place when death just a whiff away. WA Today.
Image source: Shelves of perfumes, Wikipedia, public domain.

Related reading:
'My allergies rule my life' by Jane Elliott. BBC News, 02/2009.

Fragrâncias, Perfumes e Alergia (in Portuguese, use Google Chrome browser for automatic translation to English).

Updated: 04/18/2010