Hi, #83773!

Thank you so much for posting regarding problems with others' personal fragrances in group settings! I believe that this is the first time the issue has been addressed here, surprisingly. All folks with sufficiently severe MCS have had similar experiences, as have many others.

Many people are offended by those whose who use personal care products that cling to other's skin and clothing, giving off the fragrance long after one is no longer in their presence.

Two major issues involved besides MCS:

What if one dislikes the smell, and is stuck with it afterward?? Kind of like forcing someone to eat food they hate the taste of, and for more than one meal in a row. Some of these fragrances have been designed to be very hard to remove and do not dissipate quickly or easily, if at all.

What if the smell triggers unwanted strong emotional response in others?? This could range from a strong association with a pleasant memory that is merely distracting to triggering PTSD in one for whom there is an association between their trauma/s and a particular smell.

Probably far more folks are bothered by such things one way or another than any of us realize.

There are many actions you can take, and you will feel better/more in charge if you take some kind of action.

Does this group have leadership that could be approached regarding establishing a fragrance-free policy?

Lowering the overall exposure should help. Even if the person who is wearing the stuff that seems to bother you makes NO changes, reducing the background chemical load may help.

Can you speak to the person who is creating a problem for you??

If she is as outgoing and friendly as you say, likely she would NOT want to be causing the problems mentioned above, let alone inflicting physical pain. A good way to approach might be to commend her for her kindness and friendliness first, then gently let her know that her fragrance is sending an different and conflicting message to some.

There is NO telling how either the individual or group will respond. Before speaking up, accept the fact that they are absolutely free to do anything from understand and extend help through ignore your request. I have experienced that whole spectrum of responses myself over the years.

If the gathering involves some kind of performance or class that you really need acces to and they will not accomodate you, you could try getting a set of 900 mhz monitors. Set one up in the meeting on transmit and stay in a different room or outside or in your car listening with the other one.

Your health will be protected, your access to the event will not be all it could be if you were in the room but preferable to nothing.

Best of all, you will have the opportunity to briefly answer questions regarding what the dickens you are DOING. Some of those you thus have the opportunity to educate will likely advocate for you with the offending individual and/or the leadership of the group. Most will respect your creativity in solving the problem, and you may make new friends you would not have made if you had been able to attend just like everyone else.

These teactics have been serving me effectively for many yeaars, and I hope they will help you and others who come to the MCS forum with similar issues.

Keep seeking, applying, sharing accurate knowledge in order to
Keep seking abundant life and joy!!!

NEVER EVER GIVE UP!!!!

Di

There is a chemical sensitivity forum.

This post and thread actually would be best placed there.