If I could give it a name, I'd call it the "What's Next? Syndrome!" for that's what I feel like when I turn around and something odd or new pops up. Although I've had issues with perfume since a child in that some kinds would give me a headache, I never reacted to it even after my masto came out of hiding. Last March, following a visit from my sister who brought some perfume with her, I suddenly had my first reaction to perfume. With my anaphylaxis I've never had vomiting, but this attack was so strong that it made me vomit and it was a huge reaction! I chucked the perfume and figured it was only that perfume (and boy did it stink too!) and didn't think another thing about it. Well, out of the blue in October I had another huge attack one that made me struggle 4 hours with syncope. I really frightened me, that's how strong the attack was. My youngest had spilled some perfume in the house and I thought, okay, the concentrated fumes is what overwhelmed me this time and didn't think anything more about it to the point that a few days later I put myself into an attack by using some of my own perfume, not thinking that I would react!! Then, two days later my daughter used some of her perfume and there I was fighting the anaphylaxis all over again with another big reaction!!
I've now noticed that whether I'm in an elevator or in a store, if there is any strong perfume around I begin feeling it and must get out of the way or do something to clear the air or I'm in trouble!!!
How? Why? I've not a single clue! What made things change? I was fine last year and LOVE perfume, but I don't dare use any, even with deodorant. And yet, why don't the scents put into hairspray or cleaning products seem to bother me? What about shampoos? Some bar soaps can do it though and I can't figure that one out either!!
I wish I knew myself, Ana, why this happens to us and if there was any way to revert it, but I have a feeling that not even the authorities have figured this one out!! It's just one of the quirks of masto and we have to somehow figure out how to live with it.
Lisa