'If you spray perfume and stand by me...I'll be at A&E fighting for my life' - charity calls for 'Fragrance Free Day'
Around 100 people die in Scotland every year due to asthma
Last updated 13th Jun 2023
Today people are being encouraged to put down their perfumes and aftershaves on National Fragrance Free Day.
This comes from a leading asthma charity that is exposing the difficulties faced by sufferers of respiratory diseases.
It is expected to shed light on the public health issue while raising funds to educate the public and support Scotland’s hundreds of thousands of asthmatics.
"Asthma does not exist unless there's a trigger"
Martina Chukwuma-Ezike is the Chief Executive of The Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAF), and suffers from an extreme form of brittle asthma.
She said: "Asthma is like a sleeping dog, it doesn't bark until someone kicks it. Asthma does not exist unless there's a trigger."
Since 2013, nearly 1,200 people in Scotland have died from asthma.
Ms Chukwuma-Ezike, rector of the University of Aberdeen, said: "My one trigger is perfume, it sounds outrageous but if you spray perfume and stand by me, in another 15 minutes I'll be at A&E fighting for my life."
She added: "Along with cigarette and vape smoke and air pollution, perfume is one of the leading causes of asthma attacks.
“The chemicals they contain can irritate the airways, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and, ultimately, an asthma attack."
Long-term ambitions
In the coming years the AAF hopes to create a more inclusive and aware society for asthma sufferers.
"All we are really asking is for people to abstain from using their perfumes or aftershaves for just one day to show their support for people living with asthma", continued Ms Chukwuma-Ezike.
“This, we hope, will lead to people thinking twice before they put on aftershave and perfume in the future out of consideration for colleagues, friends and family with asthma.
“We have heard some horrendous stories of serious and life-threatening asthma attacks caused by strong perfume and it is for this reason we are seeking a sea-change in the national mindset.”
Those taking part in the event are being encouraged to donate £2 towards asthma education
For those who suffer from the respiratory disease, AAF has released the following considerations to help reduce the risk of a fare up.
- Use unscented or fragrance-free products.
- Use natural products with caution
- Avoid public areas where perfumes are heavily used.
- Keep air circulation to a max, using fans and opening windows.
- Don't be afraid to tell people in your environment about your sensitivity to perfume.