Q&A: How Can I Let People Know Their Perfume is Making Me Sick?

fragrance

I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and when people who are wearing perfume want to hug me they transfer their scent to my clothing! How can we let people know that their perfume is having the opposite intended effect on some people? That to someone with MCS, their perfume is about 20 times more intense and nauseating! I'm not comfortable saying, "Hi there! No offense, but your perfume makes me gag! No, I can't sit next to you!" If I were king, I'd lump perfume with cigarette smoke and ban it in public places! Sorry you perfume lovers-- nothing personal. I am just trying to breathe and be healthy. --Semi-silent sufferer, attending church on-line Dear Semi-silent sufferer, You are definitely not alone! Although many assume this … [Read more...]

Mom, I Remember You

By Richard L. Provencher Letting us dunk our cookies in our glasses of milk at the kitchen table, even though we made a mess spilling milk & dropping cookie crumbs. Laughing as you watched us take apart our Oreo cookies, then slowly licking each side making sure we collected all the inside sweetness. Letting us help bake cookies, especially peanut butter ones & not being upset when I used to eat a clump of the batter, which was so tasty. Giving us the fish eye whenever we jostled each other's elbows on the table, after you had marked an imaginary boundary line with your finger. Bringing home Chinese Food from Dick Woo's, eating & laughing with us even though you were tired after just finishing your waitress duties. Shaking … [Read more...]