Hashimoto’s and Perfume, A Dangerous Combination
Did you know that some scented products can stimulate our brains to remember pleasant memories or even bring about a good mood? How many times have you smelled your favorite food and it instantly changed your mood and the way you feel? To my surprise, I learned that some of the chemicals ingredients used in perfumes have been shown to have a mild narcotic effect. Unfortunately there is a downside to the intoxicating smell of most perfumes, they can also trigger reactions and serious physical illnesses in people that have developed a chemical sensitivity, many with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis have this problem. You may have heard about chemical sensitivity and not been aware of exactly what it is, but the sad truth is that more and more people around the world are developing chemical sensitivities, and it is a real problem with real health consequences. These people are the canaries in the coal mine, but what you may not know, is that artificial scents are toxic to all people, but it is the chemical sensitive person that has lost their tolerance to them. I have heard this time and time again – people with Hashimoto’s very often find scents from perfumes, air fresheners, scented trash bags, car deodorizers… you name it, make them feel worse and flare their autoimmune and/or thyroid condition.
Why are these scents so bad for some people, and dangerous for those that have not lost chemical sensitivity? Perfumes contain chemicals derived from petroleum that have been associated with hormone disruption, allergic reactions, cancer, birth defects, nervous-system disorders, and a tendency to accumulate in human tissues, although most haven’t been tested for safety at all. For instance, some of these toxic chemicals are linked to sperm damage and are found concentrated in human fat tissue and in breast milk. That’s right, breast milk that gets passed onto our most prized possessions, our children! About 3,000 chemicals fall under this category, however manufacturers are simply required to label them as “fragrance.” These toxic effects can make it more difficult to manage Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
How can these known toxins be allowed in our personal care products? Consider this staggering fact, 75 percent of products that list “fragrance” as an ingredient contain phthalates, a chemical linked to cancers, hormone disruption, and neurological disorders. I am continually amazed by what the FDA allows citizens of the United States to be subjected to when so many other countries have banned phthalates in just about everything and the U.S. has only banned them in toys, they continue to be used in perfumes, including those marketed to children… this is completely unacceptable! How are you going to allow our children to be subjected to these toxins, and let corporations market this life stealing, toxic garbage to them?
Consider this, you can can buy organic foods, drink filtered water, use non-toxic products, and run an air purifier in your home, but you can’t escape perfume scents. They’re in your neighbor’s dryer sheets venting next door, other people wear fragrances or use them in their homes, they’re in air fresheners and insecticides in public buildings, in soaps in public restrooms, and so on. If you participate in public life, you are exposed to synthetic scents. As for your own product use, if you see “fragrance” on the label, then you know it contains an indeterminate amount of these chemicals. You should avoid these products if you have Hashimoto’s or any autoimmune condition.
How to reduce the risk of developing a chemical sensitivity to perfumes when you have Hashimoto’s and Autoimmunity?
Some people have lost their tolerance to chemicals and exposure to perfumes, dryer sheets, scented detergents and so on can trigger any number of symptoms, including migraines, incontinence, fatigue, inflammation, or a worsening of an autoimmune condition. For instance, someone with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease, who is sensitive to chemicals may lose muscle control of her legs when exposed to perfume. Or if it may worsen your Hashimoto’s symptoms.
Why would someone with an autoimmune, degenerative neurological condition like multiple sclerosis lose bodily function when they are exposed to an artificial smell? This phenomena may have several mechanisms, but one is because of strong firing of the 1st cranial nerve, the Olfactory Nerve which allows you to smell. This scent can strongly trigger neurons in the brain and cause excitation of neurons resulting in fatigue of nerve cells in a particular brain tract (connection of nerves within the brain) resulting in temporary loss of voluntary control. This is why the brain is so important, and why most patients with a metabolic or autoimmune condition also have to address their brain health. that’s right, you have to get your chemistry optimized so the brain can be healthy, then you have to activate specific areas of the brain so that you can rehabilitate weakly firing pools of neurons. You can read about functional neurology on my website here.
Here’s how you can reduce your risk of developing a sensitivity to perfumes and other synthetic chemicals:
- Reduce the toxic burden on your body. This means not using products in your home or on your body that contain synthetic chemicals. Also, avoid foods that have artificial colorings and additives, which also have been linked to numerous health disorders.
- Make sure your glutathione status is good. Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant that defends your cells against toxic chemicals. By reducing your toxic burden you protect your glutathione stores. You can also take supplements to boost glutathione production. Ask my office for details.
- Remove foods to which you are sensitive. If you regularly eat a food to which you have an immune sensitivity, such as gluten, it causes your immune system to be hyperactive and more prone to developing sensitivities to other things, such as chemicals. Do a food immune reaction panel from Cyrex Labs to find out which foods trigger inflammation in you.
These tips are also vital to managing Hashimoto’s.
You don’t have to give up wonderful scents, simply switch to essential oils and natural scents. Some essential oils not only smell good but they are therapeutic as well. However, those with a sensitivity to perfumes may not be able to tolerate natural scents.
