I work in a school where I'm smelling perfumes constantly!
I'm an elementary teacher's aide and this year I have noticed so many kids coming to school sprayed with either perfumes or some type of strong smelling body spray. My asthma has been horrible ever since school started because of this. I've talked to the principal about this issue and she said she was going to send a note home to the parents. I literally dread going back to work because these scents are flaring up my asthma really bad. I hate living with this condition, I feel like hardly anyone at work understands my suffering.
Hi.
Welcome to our community. I hear you about people not understanding asthma and the need to not wear perfumes/ colognes and other strong scents. I just want you to know that we here in this asthma community do understand what you are dealing with. Asthma alone can be frustrating as you note, and adding other people wearing a trigger makes it doubly frustrating. As you can see by the articles in this link here (https://asthma.net/search?s=perfume), this is a very common topic in our community. I believe in the second article in the link (https://asthma.net/living/perfume-allergies-workplace) Ashlen lists some tips for how to control this in the work setting. And based on her tips you did the right thing by contacting the principal. And I am very impressed that she is taking swift actions by sending a note home to parents. I do hope that this works for you. Wishing you all the best. John. asthma.net community moderator. Thank you for your reply. I hope this helps also. People have no idea how these fragrances affect those around them. I personally think all artificial scents/scented products should be banned. If it affects those with asthma like this I'm sure it's definitely not good for anybody else to be breathing such chemicals masked as sweet scents.
Hi
, I think you really hit the nail on the head with your statement. 'People have no idea how these fragrances affect those around them.' I do think (and hope) that if people understood how fragrances could potentially trigger an asthma attack, they may reconsider their choices. Thank you for sharing your experience! -Lauren (team member)
Once my students found out perfumes triggered my asthma, they started bringing in scented deodorant and spraying it in the classroom. They all forgot to put it on after gym class.They became "allergic" to the vinegar in my natural cleaning products. The administration will be more than willing to assist you, but all it takes is one kid or parent that doesn't care to keep the asthma triggers coming.
I'm no longer teaching. I was certified to teach biology, physical science, general science and chemistry. The chemicals in the lab also made me to be incredibly sick, so it was an all around bad decision to become a teacher. 
I totally understand. I've given up teaching young children due to chronic illness. Sometimes the path we think we want is not feasible and tolerable due to our health. I am sorry you can't teach. What field have you been working in since? I hope you are managing well and your symptoms are controlled. Happy Fall. Rebecca (community moderator)
G'morning,
, and thank you for acknowledging my comment to you.
I am so sorry to hear this happened to you - that is a shame! To have found a profession which you had to leave because of the conditions and lack of consideration/compassion in the workplace environment.
Have you found another area (of work) that you are interested in? How are you feeling and managing nowadays?
Warmly,
Leon L (author / site moderator)
