Review on perfume and present status of its associated allergens

Perfume is basically a cosmetic product applied to human body for an amusing scent or the feeling of freshness. A certain amount of perfume penetrates and remains attached to the protein of the skin when perfume is applied on the body. It evokes a surge of events in human immune system which results with allergic symptoms. Fragrance ingredients are leading cause that can be responsible for the occurrence of allergic contact dermatitis that is recently studied under cosmetic adverse reaction.

The aim of this review article was to define the allergies that are caused by fragrance ingredients. This review highlights the various aspects of perfume with respect to its manufacturing process, compositions, and fragrance ingredients identified as allergens and its present regulatory status.

There area 175 frangrance ingredients that are used in perfumes cause allergic reaction. Several studies were conducted on the patients. The study was conducted on four fragrance markers in the baseline series: fragrance mix I (FM I), Myroxylon pereirae, fragrance mix II (FM II), and hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde.

Around 658 patients showed allergy due to fragrance ingredients when the patch test was performed. In other study, out of 1253 patients, 90% of the FM I and M. pereirae detected 90% of the cases.

Majority of the fragrance ingredients can cause allergic reactions and hence act as allergens and thus increase the risk of sensitization on activation. If any individual suffers from allergy or contact dermatitis on use of any perfume, he/she should be aware of it and should reduce or avoid its use to overcome such problems of hypersensitivity.