DocMWood

Just a couple of quick thoughts for now: First, the previous post that mentioned the following: BPAL Public Service Announcement: If you have any doubts about whether or not you'll have an allergic reaction -- no matter how mild -- please do not use the scent. Absolutely right on track. That being said, people often confuse allergies, irritants, and sensitivities. They're not all the same but people usually call all of them allergies. Likewise, the treatment for each isn't the same, although avoidance and some other basic strategies will work for all of them. Fortunately, most chemicals in perfumes actually cause irritation or sensitivities rather than true allergies, although allergies do occur. Other members have posted suggestions about using moisturizers. Excellent points. Having healthy skin will improve your response to any reaction. Drink plenty of water, use moisturizers, and reducing sun exposure should improve difficulties with irritants and sensitivities. Allergic reactions will still occur, but may be more tolerable provided you aren't dead. Seriously, see the first point about avoiding things if you really are allergic. Next, folks who suggested using a barrier such as treating the skin prior to using the perfume were also right on target. Not only does it help moisturize the skin below it, but it blocks direct contact with the skin. Still risky for true allergies, but a good strategy for those with irritation and sensitivity. Scent lockets also are a great way to provide a barrier, and safer as well. Also, the suggestions to dilute the perfume were good as well. Oils typically are very concentrated in terms of what is causing the problem. Irritants and sensitivities work based on exposure concentration and duration--decreasing the concentration may reduce the exposure to the point a reaction may not occur, but be cautious to monitor over time. Again, not a strategy for those with allergies, since an allergy will occur regardless of concentration (think of the stories you've heard of the kid who died because something was just made in a factory that processed nuts, even tho' there weren't any nuts in the product). Finally, one of the points often mentioned in passing is worth highlighting--since anyone can be allergic, sensitive, or irritated by just about anything, and these oils are concentrated in ways that make these reactions likely, consider doing like many of these posters have noted. Try a new scent at home, where you have capability to take care of a problem if it occurs. Medications can help with some reactions, but the best course of action as noted by many is to wash off the affected area. Depending where and how much you put on, you may need to shower to fully remove the oil. Overall, lots of good posts here—if you’re having problems, look through the posts to find some great tips!