My sister-in-law won't stop wearing perfume around my child!!!

[lexisangels05]

Hello everyone, I need your advice on a family member. I am gonna try to be as specific as I can about the details so that you can see exactly my delima.

I asked you all a while ago about some things that I could do around my home and for Lexi to help her stay well. One of those things was to stop using fragrances around her. I made a list of everything you all suggested had helped you and presented these things in letter format to my family. Everyone has been super good about making the changes...so I thought.

Let me go back a bit. When Lexi was just a few months old she had pneumonia and had a really hard time getting over this. Her doctor at that time suggested we not wear perfume while holding her, so I asked all family members to be careful of all fragrances. Everyone did great except my sister in law. I reminded her nice several times, got ugly with her several times, and made her leave our home several times before she got the concept. We laxed off on this as Lexi aged b/c she was so well until recently. I thought that since she was no longer being held that maybe perfumes would not bother her unless it was on her own body.

You all told me other wise and I realized that maybe that was part of her congestion. She got better when we avoided fragrances before and she probably would again. Like I said my family and friends all agreed to do the no fragrance thing, including my sister in law. They all seemed so happy to help. Well today, I go to pick up my kids from my mother-in-laws home and my sister-in-law comes in to see the kids. I was actually a little earlier than normal, so she did not realize they would be leaving at that moment. She had on perfume!!!!! Nothing strong, just maybe some body wash, or fragranced lotion. I did not say anything for fear of starting a war infront of my children and their great grandma!

How should I handle this?
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted you all to know all of the details before you responded.
Thanks for any advice!
Melissa

 

[lexisangels05]

Hello everyone, I need your advice on a family member. I am gonna try to be as specific as I can about the details so that you can see exactly my delima.

I asked you all a while ago about some things that I could do around my home and for Lexi to help her stay well. One of those things was to stop using fragrances around her. I made a list of everything you all suggested had helped you and presented these things in letter format to my family. Everyone has been super good about making the changes...so I thought.

Let me go back a bit. When Lexi was just a few months old she had pneumonia and had a really hard time getting over this. Her doctor at that time suggested we not wear perfume while holding her, so I asked all family members to be careful of all fragrances. Everyone did great except my sister in law. I reminded her nice several times, got ugly with her several times, and made her leave our home several times before she got the concept. We laxed off on this as Lexi aged b/c she was so well until recently. I thought that since she was no longer being held that maybe perfumes would not bother her unless it was on her own body.

You all told me other wise and I realized that maybe that was part of her congestion. She got better when we avoided fragrances before and she probably would again. Like I said my family and friends all agreed to do the no fragrance thing, including my sister in law. They all seemed so happy to help. Well today, I go to pick up my kids from my mother-in-laws home and my sister-in-law comes in to see the kids. I was actually a little earlier than normal, so she did not realize they would be leaving at that moment. She had on perfume!!!!! Nothing strong, just maybe some body wash, or fragranced lotion. I did not say anything for fear of starting a war infront of my children and their great grandma!

How should I handle this?
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted you all to know all of the details before you responded.
Thanks for any advice!
Melissa

 

[lexisangels05]

Hello everyone, I need your advice on a family member. I am gonna try to be as specific as I can about the details so that you can see exactly my delima.

I asked you all a while ago about some things that I could do around my home and for Lexi to help her stay well. One of those things was to stop using fragrances around her. I made a list of everything you all suggested had helped you and presented these things in letter format to my family. Everyone has been super good about making the changes...so I thought.

Let me go back a bit. When Lexi was just a few months old she had pneumonia and had a really hard time getting over this. Her doctor at that time suggested we not wear perfume while holding her, so I asked all family members to be careful of all fragrances. Everyone did great except my sister in law. I reminded her nice several times, got ugly with her several times, and made her leave our home several times before she got the concept. We laxed off on this as Lexi aged b/c she was so well until recently. I thought that since she was no longer being held that maybe perfumes would not bother her unless it was on her own body.

You all told me other wise and I realized that maybe that was part of her congestion. She got better when we avoided fragrances before and she probably would again. Like I said my family and friends all agreed to do the no fragrance thing, including my sister in law. They all seemed so happy to help. Well today, I go to pick up my kids from my mother-in-laws home and my sister-in-law comes in to see the kids. I was actually a little earlier than normal, so she did not realize they would be leaving at that moment. She had on perfume!!!!! Nothing strong, just maybe some body wash, or fragranced lotion. I did not say anything for fear of starting a war infront of my children and their great grandma!

How should I handle this?
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted you all to know all of the details before you responded.
Thanks for any advice!
Melissa

 

[lexisangels05]

Hello everyone, I need your advice on a family member. I am gonna try to be as specific as I can about the details so that you can see exactly my delima.

I asked you all a while ago about some things that I could do around my home and for Lexi to help her stay well. One of those things was to stop using fragrances around her. I made a list of everything you all suggested had helped you and presented these things in letter format to my family. Everyone has been super good about making the changes...so I thought.

Let me go back a bit. When Lexi was just a few months old she had pneumonia and had a really hard time getting over this. Her doctor at that time suggested we not wear perfume while holding her, so I asked all family members to be careful of all fragrances. Everyone did great except my sister in law. I reminded her nice several times, got ugly with her several times, and made her leave our home several times before she got the concept. We laxed off on this as Lexi aged b/c she was so well until recently. I thought that since she was no longer being held that maybe perfumes would not bother her unless it was on her own body.

You all told me other wise and I realized that maybe that was part of her congestion. She got better when we avoided fragrances before and she probably would again. Like I said my family and friends all agreed to do the no fragrance thing, including my sister in law. They all seemed so happy to help. Well today, I go to pick up my kids from my mother-in-laws home and my sister-in-law comes in to see the kids. I was actually a little earlier than normal, so she did not realize they would be leaving at that moment. She had on perfume!!!!! Nothing strong, just maybe some body wash, or fragranced lotion. I did not say anything for fear of starting a war infront of my children and their great grandma!

How should I handle this?
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted you all to know all of the details before you responded.
Thanks for any advice!
Melissa

 

[lexisangels05]

Hello everyone, I need your advice on a family member. I am gonna try to be as specific as I can about the details so that you can see exactly my delima.
<br />
<br />I asked you all a while ago about some things that I could do around my home and for Lexi to help her stay well. One of those things was to stop using fragrances around her. I made a list of everything you all suggested had helped you and presented these things in letter format to my family. Everyone has been super good about making the changes...so I thought.
<br />
<br />Let me go back a bit. When Lexi was just a few months old she had pneumonia and had a really hard time getting over this. Her doctor at that time suggested we not wear perfume while holding her, so I asked all family members to be careful of all fragrances. Everyone did great except my sister in law. I reminded her nice several times, got ugly with her several times, and made her leave our home several times before she got the concept. We laxed off on this as Lexi aged b/c she was so well until recently. I thought that since she was no longer being held that maybe perfumes would not bother her unless it was on her own body.
<br />
<br />You all told me other wise and I realized that maybe that was part of her congestion. She got better when we avoided fragrances before and she probably would again. Like I said my family and friends all agreed to do the no fragrance thing, including my sister in law. They all seemed so happy to help. Well today, I go to pick up my kids from my mother-in-laws home and my sister-in-law comes in to see the kids. I was actually a little earlier than normal, so she did not realize they would be leaving at that moment. She had on perfume!!!!! Nothing strong, just maybe some body wash, or fragranced lotion. I did not say anything for fear of starting a war infront of my children and their great grandma!
<br />
<br />How should I handle this?
<br />Sorry this is so long, but I wanted you all to know all of the details before you responded.
<br />Thanks for any advice!
<br />Melissa

 

[SARAHSARAH253]

Wow..........I have never been told about perfume being a "NO NO"......I have worn my Michael everyday, and my husband has worn his cologne everyday also. We stopped using the woodstove, threw away the fire pit. I tossed out all our candles, and glade plug ins. Stopped buying air deodorizers ........Please tell me I don't have to give up my perfume too. It makes since though. I don't think I could get my family to budge on this one. It's tough enough to get others to wash hands, and keep their floors clean when we visit. I'm curious if I'm the only one who hasn't been enforcing this.

 

[SARAHSARAH253]

Wow..........I have never been told about perfume being a "NO NO"......I have worn my Michael everyday, and my husband has worn his cologne everyday also. We stopped using the woodstove, threw away the fire pit. I tossed out all our candles, and glade plug ins. Stopped buying air deodorizers ........Please tell me I don't have to give up my perfume too. It makes since though. I don't think I could get my family to budge on this one. It's tough enough to get others to wash hands, and keep their floors clean when we visit. I'm curious if I'm the only one who hasn't been enforcing this.

 

[SARAHSARAH253]

Wow..........I have never been told about perfume being a "NO NO"......I have worn my Michael everyday, and my husband has worn his cologne everyday also. We stopped using the woodstove, threw away the fire pit. I tossed out all our candles, and glade plug ins. Stopped buying air deodorizers ........Please tell me I don't have to give up my perfume too. It makes since though. I don't think I could get my family to budge on this one. It's tough enough to get others to wash hands, and keep their floors clean when we visit. I'm curious if I'm the only one who hasn't been enforcing this.

 

[SARAHSARAH253]

Wow..........I have never been told about perfume being a "NO NO"......I have worn my Michael everyday, and my husband has worn his cologne everyday also. We stopped using the woodstove, threw away the fire pit. I tossed out all our candles, and glade plug ins. Stopped buying air deodorizers ........Please tell me I don't have to give up my perfume too. It makes since though. I don't think I could get my family to budge on this one. It's tough enough to get others to wash hands, and keep their floors clean when we visit. I'm curious if I'm the only one who hasn't been enforcing this.

 

[SARAHSARAH253]

Wow..........I have never been told about perfume being a "NO NO"......I have worn my Michael everyday, and my husband has worn his cologne everyday also. We stopped using the woodstove, threw away the fire pit. I tossed out all our candles, and glade plug ins. Stopped buying air deodorizers ........Please tell me I don't have to give up my perfume too. It makes since though. I don't think I could get my family to budge on this one. It's tough enough to get others to wash hands, and keep their floors clean when we visit. I'm curious if I'm the only one who hasn't been enforcing this.

 

[crickit715]

perfume was one of the first things our cf doctor told us to get rid of, along with candles, any kind of spray cleaner or air freshner and i was also told not to spray hairspray in the vicinity of my child....she said kids with cf have hypersensitive lungs and it is a severe irritant to them. my childs health is my first priority...not my perfume so that was no big issue to me... if i had a family member who wouldnt abide by my request for the sake of my childs health then they wouldnt be able to be around them. they are the ones making the choice! sorry.. this is an issue that gets me going!! its not our childs choice its theirs, but family tends to like to put the blame on us the parents as if we have a choice in the matter! good luck!! ive been there!

 

[crickit715]

perfume was one of the first things our cf doctor told us to get rid of, along with candles, any kind of spray cleaner or air freshner and i was also told not to spray hairspray in the vicinity of my child....she said kids with cf have hypersensitive lungs and it is a severe irritant to them. my childs health is my first priority...not my perfume so that was no big issue to me... if i had a family member who wouldnt abide by my request for the sake of my childs health then they wouldnt be able to be around them. they are the ones making the choice! sorry.. this is an issue that gets me going!! its not our childs choice its theirs, but family tends to like to put the blame on us the parents as if we have a choice in the matter! good luck!! ive been there!

 

[crickit715]

perfume was one of the first things our cf doctor told us to get rid of, along with candles, any kind of spray cleaner or air freshner and i was also told not to spray hairspray in the vicinity of my child....she said kids with cf have hypersensitive lungs and it is a severe irritant to them. my childs health is my first priority...not my perfume so that was no big issue to me... if i had a family member who wouldnt abide by my request for the sake of my childs health then they wouldnt be able to be around them. they are the ones making the choice! sorry.. this is an issue that gets me going!! its not our childs choice its theirs, but family tends to like to put the blame on us the parents as if we have a choice in the matter! good luck!! ive been there!

 

[crickit715]

perfume was one of the first things our cf doctor told us to get rid of, along with candles, any kind of spray cleaner or air freshner and i was also told not to spray hairspray in the vicinity of my child....she said kids with cf have hypersensitive lungs and it is a severe irritant to them. my childs health is my first priority...not my perfume so that was no big issue to me... if i had a family member who wouldnt abide by my request for the sake of my childs health then they wouldnt be able to be around them. they are the ones making the choice! sorry.. this is an issue that gets me going!! its not our childs choice its theirs, but family tends to like to put the blame on us the parents as if we have a choice in the matter! good luck!! ive been there!

 

[crickit715]

perfume was one of the first things our cf doctor told us to get rid of, along with candles, any kind of spray cleaner or air freshner and i was also told not to spray hairspray in the vicinity of my child....she said kids with cf have hypersensitive lungs and it is a severe irritant to them. my childs health is my first priority...not my perfume so that was no big issue to me... if i had a family member who wouldnt abide by my request for the sake of my childs health then they wouldnt be able to be around them. they are the ones making the choice! sorry.. this is an issue that gets me going!! its not our childs choice its theirs, but family tends to like to put the blame on us the parents as if we have a choice in the matter! good luck!! ive been there!

 

[Nightwriter]

I am so happy to see this thread and I'm noticing that more and more people are either practicing or wanting to learn about how the environment affects the lungs. What we breathe in DOES matter. Just like what you put into your car's gas tank matters. Put in junk, you get junk.

Pefume is a chemical and like Ricki said so well Cfer's have hypersensitive lungs. I know that when it comes down to it, once you believe that fragrances are irritating, you will throw out your perfume. Perfume seems so unimportant in the scheme of the things. Clean air is EVERYTHING.

Melissa, I'm pretty sure I was one of the people on your prior thread and I think you making a list and handing it out was very smart. And my advice would be this -- I would say to SIL, "I'm sure you're not aware, but your body lotion (or whatever) is one of those things that irritates Lexi's lungs, and I know you would never do anything to intentionally harm her." If CF'ers don't even recognize that things like perfume harm lungs, it is even harder for healthy people to get this concept. But I would also immediately remove your child from the irritant. Her health is more important than any nicety.

All kinds of weird situations occur around people showing up wearing frangrances. My boyfriend and I invited people over for dinner. The people showed up freshly showered (even with wet hair)with every kind of fragrance/perfume possible. I could feel myself starting to choke, not knowing what to do (they don't know the seriousness of my lungs). And my boyfriend spent hours cooking the meal. So wherever they went, I stood on the other side of the room. I couldn't even tell them to wash off -- strong hair products, body lotions, cologne...where to start?

And today, I had an uncomfortable situation. I had to meet someone for the first time, who is very important to my work. When I arrived at the restaurant, she was sitting at an outside table next to a fire pit on a very busy street with tons of busses going by. I had to say that I prefered sitting inside because I had a bit of asthma.

When the woman came inside, she chose a table next to someone wearing very heavy perfume -- so I steered her to another table which she didn't like. She chose the table right next to horrible perfume lady. So I sat as far away as possible. Then the waiter propped the doors to the outside open where several people lit up cigarettes, so the smoke was coming right in.

I could feel that horrible tickle in my lungs, not knowing what to do. Finally I asked the waiter to close the doors. But soon someone else propped them open. I finally had to say, "I'm sorry, the smoke is really bothering me, and I need to move -- and to choose the table that she originally rejected. All while I'm trying to make a good impression.

Afterwoods I went to a mall where they now pump in perfume through the vents (that's the lastest thing malls are doing). My friend has asthma, so it was no big deal, when I had to find a part of the mall that has no fragrance.

Believe me, all this gets me down sometimes, but I have to try to protect my lungs. Tonight, I can't stop coughing. The mucus is dripping down from my sinuses and my chest feels uncomfortable. I hope I don't get sick.

None of this is easy. But like my doctor says, "What choice do you have?" It's not like there is an alternative. And actually, it does get exciting when you see yourself or your child doing better.

I can tell you, there is a direct correlation between exacerbations and triggers. But we also have to remind those close to us over and over again -- and give them examples like I am giving you -- so they can really understand cause and effect.

 

[Nightwriter]

I am so happy to see this thread and I'm noticing that more and more people are either practicing or wanting to learn about how the environment affects the lungs. What we breathe in DOES matter. Just like what you put into your car's gas tank matters. Put in junk, you get junk.

Pefume is a chemical and like Ricki said so well Cfer's have hypersensitive lungs. I know that when it comes down to it, once you believe that fragrances are irritating, you will throw out your perfume. Perfume seems so unimportant in the scheme of the things. Clean air is EVERYTHING.

Melissa, I'm pretty sure I was one of the people on your prior thread and I think you making a list and handing it out was very smart. And my advice would be this -- I would say to SIL, "I'm sure you're not aware, but your body lotion (or whatever) is one of those things that irritates Lexi's lungs, and I know you would never do anything to intentionally harm her." If CF'ers don't even recognize that things like perfume harm lungs, it is even harder for healthy people to get this concept. But I would also immediately remove your child from the irritant. Her health is more important than any nicety.

All kinds of weird situations occur around people showing up wearing frangrances. My boyfriend and I invited people over for dinner. The people showed up freshly showered (even with wet hair)with every kind of fragrance/perfume possible. I could feel myself starting to choke, not knowing what to do (they don't know the seriousness of my lungs). And my boyfriend spent hours cooking the meal. So wherever they went, I stood on the other side of the room. I couldn't even tell them to wash off -- strong hair products, body lotions, cologne...where to start?

And today, I had an uncomfortable situation. I had to meet someone for the first time, who is very important to my work. When I arrived at the restaurant, she was sitting at an outside table next to a fire pit on a very busy street with tons of busses going by. I had to say that I prefered sitting inside because I had a bit of asthma.

When the woman came inside, she chose a table next to someone wearing very heavy perfume -- so I steered her to another table which she didn't like. She chose the table right next to horrible perfume lady. So I sat as far away as possible. Then the waiter propped the doors to the outside open where several people lit up cigarettes, so the smoke was coming right in.

I could feel that horrible tickle in my lungs, not knowing what to do. Finally I asked the waiter to close the doors. But soon someone else propped them open. I finally had to say, "I'm sorry, the smoke is really bothering me, and I need to move -- and to choose the table that she originally rejected. All while I'm trying to make a good impression.

Afterwoods I went to a mall where they now pump in perfume through the vents (that's the lastest thing malls are doing). My friend has asthma, so it was no big deal, when I had to find a part of the mall that has no fragrance.

Believe me, all this gets me down sometimes, but I have to try to protect my lungs. Tonight, I can't stop coughing. The mucus is dripping down from my sinuses and my chest feels uncomfortable. I hope I don't get sick.

None of this is easy. But like my doctor says, "What choice do you have?" It's not like there is an alternative. And actually, it does get exciting when you see yourself or your child doing better.

I can tell you, there is a direct correlation between exacerbations and triggers. But we also have to remind those close to us over and over again -- and give them examples like I am giving you -- so they can really understand cause and effect.

 

[Nightwriter]

I am so happy to see this thread and I'm noticing that more and more people are either practicing or wanting to learn about how the environment affects the lungs. What we breathe in DOES matter. Just like what you put into your car's gas tank matters. Put in junk, you get junk.

Pefume is a chemical and like Ricki said so well Cfer's have hypersensitive lungs. I know that when it comes down to it, once you believe that fragrances are irritating, you will throw out your perfume. Perfume seems so unimportant in the scheme of the things. Clean air is EVERYTHING.

Melissa, I'm pretty sure I was one of the people on your prior thread and I think you making a list and handing it out was very smart. And my advice would be this -- I would say to SIL, "I'm sure you're not aware, but your body lotion (or whatever) is one of those things that irritates Lexi's lungs, and I know you would never do anything to intentionally harm her." If CF'ers don't even recognize that things like perfume harm lungs, it is even harder for healthy people to get this concept. But I would also immediately remove your child from the irritant. Her health is more important than any nicety.

All kinds of weird situations occur around people showing up wearing frangrances. My boyfriend and I invited people over for dinner. The people showed up freshly showered (even with wet hair)with every kind of fragrance/perfume possible. I could feel myself starting to choke, not knowing what to do (they don't know the seriousness of my lungs). And my boyfriend spent hours cooking the meal. So wherever they went, I stood on the other side of the room. I couldn't even tell them to wash off -- strong hair products, body lotions, cologne...where to start?

And today, I had an uncomfortable situation. I had to meet someone for the first time, who is very important to my work. When I arrived at the restaurant, she was sitting at an outside table next to a fire pit on a very busy street with tons of busses going by. I had to say that I prefered sitting inside because I had a bit of asthma.

When the woman came inside, she chose a table next to someone wearing very heavy perfume -- so I steered her to another table which she didn't like. She chose the table right next to horrible perfume lady. So I sat as far away as possible. Then the waiter propped the doors to the outside open where several people lit up cigarettes, so the smoke was coming right in.

I could feel that horrible tickle in my lungs, not knowing what to do. Finally I asked the waiter to close the doors. But soon someone else propped them open. I finally had to say, "I'm sorry, the smoke is really bothering me, and I need to move -- and to choose the table that she originally rejected. All while I'm trying to make a good impression.

Afterwoods I went to a mall where they now pump in perfume through the vents (that's the lastest thing malls are doing). My friend has asthma, so it was no big deal, when I had to find a part of the mall that has no fragrance.

Believe me, all this gets me down sometimes, but I have to try to protect my lungs. Tonight, I can't stop coughing. The mucus is dripping down from my sinuses and my chest feels uncomfortable. I hope I don't get sick.

None of this is easy. But like my doctor says, "What choice do you have?" It's not like there is an alternative. And actually, it does get exciting when you see yourself or your child doing better.

I can tell you, there is a direct correlation between exacerbations and triggers. But we also have to remind those close to us over and over again -- and give them examples like I am giving you -- so they can really understand cause and effect.

 

[Nightwriter]

I am so happy to see this thread and I'm noticing that more and more people are either practicing or wanting to learn about how the environment affects the lungs. What we breathe in DOES matter. Just like what you put into your car's gas tank matters. Put in junk, you get junk.

Pefume is a chemical and like Ricki said so well Cfer's have hypersensitive lungs. I know that when it comes down to it, once you believe that fragrances are irritating, you will throw out your perfume. Perfume seems so unimportant in the scheme of the things. Clean air is EVERYTHING.

Melissa, I'm pretty sure I was one of the people on your prior thread and I think you making a list and handing it out was very smart. And my advice would be this -- I would say to SIL, "I'm sure you're not aware, but your body lotion (or whatever) is one of those things that irritates Lexi's lungs, and I know you would never do anything to intentionally harm her." If CF'ers don't even recognize that things like perfume harm lungs, it is even harder for healthy people to get this concept. But I would also immediately remove your child from the irritant. Her health is more important than any nicety.

All kinds of weird situations occur around people showing up wearing frangrances. My boyfriend and I invited people over for dinner. The people showed up freshly showered (even with wet hair)with every kind of fragrance/perfume possible. I could feel myself starting to choke, not knowing what to do (they don't know the seriousness of my lungs). And my boyfriend spent hours cooking the meal. So wherever they went, I stood on the other side of the room. I couldn't even tell them to wash off -- strong hair products, body lotions, cologne...where to start?

And today, I had an uncomfortable situation. I had to meet someone for the first time, who is very important to my work. When I arrived at the restaurant, she was sitting at an outside table next to a fire pit on a very busy street with tons of busses going by. I had to say that I prefered sitting inside because I had a bit of asthma.

When the woman came inside, she chose a table next to someone wearing very heavy perfume -- so I steered her to another table which she didn't like. She chose the table right next to horrible perfume lady. So I sat as far away as possible. Then the waiter propped the doors to the outside open where several people lit up cigarettes, so the smoke was coming right in.

I could feel that horrible tickle in my lungs, not knowing what to do. Finally I asked the waiter to close the doors. But soon someone else propped them open. I finally had to say, "I'm sorry, the smoke is really bothering me, and I need to move -- and to choose the table that she originally rejected. All while I'm trying to make a good impression.

Afterwoods I went to a mall where they now pump in perfume through the vents (that's the lastest thing malls are doing). My friend has asthma, so it was no big deal, when I had to find a part of the mall that has no fragrance.

Believe me, all this gets me down sometimes, but I have to try to protect my lungs. Tonight, I can't stop coughing. The mucus is dripping down from my sinuses and my chest feels uncomfortable. I hope I don't get sick.

None of this is easy. But like my doctor says, "What choice do you have?" It's not like there is an alternative. And actually, it does get exciting when you see yourself or your child doing better.

I can tell you, there is a direct correlation between exacerbations and triggers. But we also have to remind those close to us over and over again -- and give them examples like I am giving you -- so they can really understand cause and effect.

 

[Nightwriter]

I am so happy to see this thread and I'm noticing that more and more people are either practicing or wanting to learn about how the environment affects the lungs. What we breathe in DOES matter. Just like what you put into your car's gas tank matters. Put in junk, you get junk.
<br />
<br />Pefume is a chemical and like Ricki said so well Cfer's have hypersensitive lungs. I know that when it comes down to it, once you believe that fragrances are irritating, you will throw out your perfume. Perfume seems so unimportant in the scheme of the things. Clean air is EVERYTHING.
<br />
<br />Melissa, I'm pretty sure I was one of the people on your prior thread and I think you making a list and handing it out was very smart. And my advice would be this -- I would say to SIL, "I'm sure you're not aware, but your body lotion (or whatever) is one of those things that irritates Lexi's lungs, and I know you would never do anything to intentionally harm her." If CF'ers don't even recognize that things like perfume harm lungs, it is even harder for healthy people to get this concept. But I would also immediately remove your child from the irritant. Her health is more important than any nicety.
<br />
<br />All kinds of weird situations occur around people showing up wearing frangrances. My boyfriend and I invited people over for dinner. The people showed up freshly showered (even with wet hair)with every kind of fragrance/perfume possible. I could feel myself starting to choke, not knowing what to do (they don't know the seriousness of my lungs). And my boyfriend spent hours cooking the meal. So wherever they went, I stood on the other side of the room. I couldn't even tell them to wash off -- strong hair products, body lotions, cologne...where to start?
<br />
<br />And today, I had an uncomfortable situation. I had to meet someone for the first time, who is very important to my work. When I arrived at the restaurant, she was sitting at an outside table next to a fire pit on a very busy street with tons of busses going by. I had to say that I prefered sitting inside because I had a bit of asthma.
<br />
<br />When the woman came inside, she chose a table next to someone wearing very heavy perfume -- so I steered her to another table which she didn't like. She chose the table right next to horrible perfume lady. So I sat as far away as possible. Then the waiter propped the doors to the outside open where several people lit up cigarettes, so the smoke was coming right in.
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<br />I could feel that horrible tickle in my lungs, not knowing what to do. Finally I asked the waiter to close the doors. But soon someone else propped them open. I finally had to say, "I'm sorry, the smoke is really bothering me, and I need to move -- and to choose the table that she originally rejected. All while I'm trying to make a good impression.
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<br />Afterwoods I went to a mall where they now pump in perfume through the vents (that's the lastest thing malls are doing). My friend has asthma, so it was no big deal, when I had to find a part of the mall that has no fragrance.
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<br />Believe me, all this gets me down sometimes, but I have to try to protect my lungs. Tonight, I can't stop coughing. The mucus is dripping down from my sinuses and my chest feels uncomfortable. I hope I don't get sick.
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<br />None of this is easy. But like my doctor says, "What choice do you have?" It's not like there is an alternative. And actually, it does get exciting when you see yourself or your child doing better.
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<br />I can tell you, there is a direct correlation between exacerbations and triggers. But we also have to remind those close to us over and over again -- and give them examples like I am giving you -- so they can really understand cause and effect.