David Tywoniuk has been affected by scented products for most of his life. In fact, if you have ever been to his business, David T’s Auto Centre, one of the first things you will notice (besides all the cool Camaros & Firebirds) is a huge sign on the window indicating how seriously he takes this issue of Fragrance Free Living.
Following is the card that is handed out to inform everyone of the Website:
Here is David’s personal story. Maybe you will relate to some of this.
I consider myself to be a fairly level-headed, intelligent person. I have no allergies and am very healthy. About 15 years ago, at the age of 32 (that would make me 47 if you don’t feel like doing the math), I began to understand why I was experiencing drastic mood changes-from one extreme to the other.
I was an Auto Body Mechanic. Although I never smoked, this industry is so loaded with toxic fumes that my sense of smell was deadened. When people would ask me how I could stand the smell, I would jokingly reply “What smell?” Everyone’s body can adapt and adjust to toxic scents. It was only after I quit this part of the business that I began to notice the reaction I was having to scented products.
I purchased a car from a valued customer. Whenever I drove it, I would experience headaches and my lungs would hurt. Even with the t-tops off and windows down, I could not get any relief, obviously causing me a lot of anxiety. I tried repairing the exhaust, sealing and caulking the floor pan and engine compartment seals but nothing worked. Eventually I parked the car.
Around the same time, my customers started to annoy me; I felt an instant dislike for at least one out of every three people who entered my business. I lost my patience. Thinking I was actually losing my mind, off to the doctor I went. The answer—an anti- anxiety drug of some sort. This helped a bit cause now I was high on drugs, covering up what was really ailing me. However, relief was only temporary.
On my way to an out of town trade show with my girlfriend, I experienced another unexplained incident. I started to feel tense and anxious for some reason. I grabbed for a pill only to realize I had left them at home. This caused me more anxiety and anger. How was I going to manage this trip without my pills? I started punching the steering wheel in a rage as now I would have to turn around; I’d be late for the tradeshow, so in my unstable state, I just stayed home. Being a very strong willed person, I flushed the pills down the toilet, thinking they were the cause. They were not going to be my first addiction.
About a month later, the gentleman I had purchased the car from came for a visit. Within moments of his entering the shop, I was overcome with the same reactions I had been experiencing both in his old car, with my girlfriend on the way to the trade show, and with many of my customers. I had no reason to dislike this man; he was a valued customer. The light bulb went on and all the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. The scent of his cologne was absolutely overwhelming and it had absorbed into the car’s upholstery and carpet. The scented products on my girlfriend and many of my clients were affecting me both physically and mentally. From that day on I started to pay close attention to how I felt around scents, everything from hyperactivity to depression, lack of energy, wheezing, uncontrolled shaking, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, anger, violent mood changes, and attention deficit disorder to erectile dysfunction. What a relief to know that I wasn’t in fact crazy although at this point you might be considering it. Please keep an open mind and keep reading. Backtracking from my childhood, it was a relief to finally have some answers instead of excuses for some of the incidents that had taken place—all triggered by scented products.
Hopefully some of this has made you more aware of the negative affects that scented products have on some people. I experience none of the above reactions in a fragrance free environment. Products like perfume, cologne, shampoo and other hair products, hand and body lotion, makeup, deodorant, laundry products, household cleaners, things we all use on a daily basis are, in fact, affecting your health and well-being as well as others.
Here is a really good reason as to why you might want to try “Fragrance Free Living”. Did you know that the ingredient “Fragrance” used in most of the above products can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate, mostly man-made ingredients? Many compounds in fragrance are human toxins and suspected or proven to cause cancer. Symptoms reported include: headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discolorations, violent coughing and vomiting and allergic skin irritation. Observations by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrance can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioural changes (Home Safe Home, Debra Lynn Dadd). 100% of perfumes contain toluene, which can cause liver, kidney and brain damage as well as damage to a developing fetus.
Maybe you will think twice before you apply perfume and other scented products to your body; you could be causing yourself and others a great deal of harm in your desire to smell nice. Still not convinced? Check out some of the scenarios and other people’s testimonials. We look forward to reading your thoughts in the “Your Comments” section.
Dave- Thanks for telling your story. Mine is remarkably similar. My problems started manifesting in my late forties, then rapidly got worse. I was lucky to catch onto what was happening and eventually took up an agressive “avoidance” lifestyle. Now, twenty years later, it has paid off. I’m doing pretty good as long as I keep away from all the stuff that messes me up.
Dave, please do all that you are able to get others to tell what has worked for them. Thanks, Hank in Iowa
Thanks for sharing! I’m in my mid-twenties and I noticed my sensitivity to fragrances a few years ago. My home is fragrance-free and I have influenced other family members to do the same. And although they may not be sensitive to fragrances, they are still bad for their health and the health of others.
Good for you. We couldn’t agree more. It is easy “to preach to the choir” but it is sometimes difficult to make people who “think” they are healthy realize, that in fact, their long term health is being affected. It would be great to have your testimonial to post on this site. Maybe it will help others influence their friends and family members. Take care and thanks for your comments.
David- I get horrible migraines triggered by fragrances. Our culture embraces scented products and it can really be a challenge for people like us. I decided this year to get active and create a blog about this. I am very glad you created this website, share your story and are active in promoting fragrance free living. I hope the message will began to spread. Thank you, The Smell inc. blog
Hi VEry nice posts i’sure i’sts nice
David, very well written, and I hope many will get your message. I have been trying to pass on this message for about 12 years.
It hasn’t been easy– but I keep trying. There are people all over the world suffering from fragrance and the chemicals in our products. I think we are finally getting through to some.
Now days there is so much info there isn’t enough time in the day to read it all, whereas years ago I had to search around to find info.
I hope you are feeling better these days. 🙂 I will share your story. Linda
Your being a man, I would like to say thank you for your story..because many men will not discuss their health to anyone.
I have mcs illness and I appreciate your honesty about toxic fragrances…and sharing that with others..
These chemicals in cologne, perfume are known to cause birth defects, respiratory illness, brain dysfunction, and so much more
in children , adults, and pets.
We were taught that we did not feel dressed up if we did not have on perfume or cologne.
A clean person does not need on fragrances.
It is not only those chemicals toxic to us in perfume and cologne… but new cars with dashboard chemicals outgassing, seats,
cleaning chemicals in the home or workplace,
and pesticides in the home and office.
That is what leads to developing the mcs illness.
Hi David,
I can relate! At the age of 37 with NO health issues a person’s perfume at work became very bothersome causing dizziness, headaches and confusion within 3 months I had full blown MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities) I now react to plastics, perfumes, air fresheners, gasoline, diesel, plastics, laundry detergents, pesticides, soaps, shampoo, new building construction, printers, paper, magazines, new cars, leather…the list is rather endless. I can’t stay in hotels, visit people’s homes, go to a mall, or have people over. It has changed my life dramatically and has placed very strict limits on activities and social events.
Please understand that many of us react to scent free products as well, as they are often loaded with toxic chemicals.
Hi David,
Thank you for the excellent articles, this is a real health tips to everyone. Chemicals is only good for engines/machines, it is dectructive for a human health.
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Hi David,
I recently had trouble finding a car without air fresheners/Febreez/fabric softener sheets used inside of it. Do you have recommendations for how to find a car that doesn’t have these chemicals in them?
Dear David,
I’ve had MCS for about 15 years and am on disability. Not for MCS, of course. I don’t know anyone who has managed that!
Do you know of any place in the world where fragrance is NOT popular? I’m thinking of moving to Mexico. Soon. Any advice? Thank you!
I’ve lost two family members due to fragrance intolerance. As my father said, my brother was “too lazy to walk up 47 flights.” He got on an elevator with a woman with perfume on, and was dead by the time he got to his floor.
I had to quit my last job because of a perfume issue. It’s a terror avoiding people who use deodorants, etc., knowing I could be dead in seconds. ROB
I repair refineries (yeah I should likely find safer work now that I know I have mcs… but the gloves & masks keep us pretty safe) & this fall the person in the room beside mine in the work camp used a scented wax melter (“flameless candle” she called it). I have anxiety and si many times coworkers react with rage when I say their cologne bothers me (smell is tightly tied to emotion) so I was scared to speak up. After a couple weeks I noticed my usual reactions to “little trees” on truck rearview mirrors were becoming many times worse than usual. One time I was coiling a rope & discussing a task with my coworker when I suddenly lost about 50 IQ points… the rope became as challenging as a Rubik’s Cube and I could not comprehend the coversation! Turning around I spotted a scented truck twenty feet away with his door open. To be so disabled so easily scared me into speaking up to my neighbor. Sge said she’d stop heating her stupid wax. But even cold it it was very very strong. Even with my window open. I had other odd symptoms like diarrhea and extreme fatigue, which I suspected were linked to this exposure. Finally the camp let me move but it made me angry they wouldn’t just make her remove the device. If she was blasting music loud enough to disturb the neighbor she’d be in trouble but bombarding other senses is considered “her
..own business”? The new room reeked of spilt cologne. And after a week the new neighbor started up with a smell exactly like the first.. I think someone was selling those evil candles around the dorms! I just wished there could be a way for them to guarantee me a room that would be safe rather than me moving repeatedly just hoping I’d randomly get a non-stinky room with non-stinky neighbors. There could be a wing for us, separate, the way there are nonsmoking wings! I had to quit that gig and have spent the past 3months trying to recover my health. I can’t go back unless I have a way of avoiding a repeat… that would surely destroy my health utterly. And now she got my sensitivity raised so high, I can’t tolerate scented bathrooms or busses or trucks, or coworkers who wear a whole bottle of cologne. So I turned to my union’s top Safety guy for help. I was afraid he would consider me a whiner or a wimp or even crazy. My joy was beyond words when, a couple minutes into that first call, he told me he knew what I meant and was behind me. How did he know? Because you help him with his car. You got me an ally and now he is trying to help me get the camps and worksites scent free! It will not be easy. But I am so happy that now, my Union is standing with me! And it’s all thanks to your being vical about your problem rather than hiding it like so many of us do. You gave me a chance to save my career. Thank you very much.
In my younger days I suffered migraines particularly aggrevated by scents. I am averse to going to any indoor event because so many people bathe in cologne instead of water. I use nearly all unscented products – and find tolerance only to citrus scented items. Cooking scents, particularly garlic, also put me over the edge.
There were times when my daughter was young that I had to throw away huge amounts of the girlie stuff she would bring home.
It was a pleasure sharing time with you today David 🙂 Thank you so much for the conversation. I have passed on your site to my brother and am excited to learn more along with him 🙂 When I think back now, his personality has drastically changed over the years. It truly is not just the headaches. Thanks again 🙂
Cheers for now 🙂
I was diagnosed with mastocytosis last year. It explains all of my multiple chemical sensitivities and other bizarre symptoms I have been having for decades. Hoping that others will see this post and ask their doctors about the possibility of a rare but very real medical problem that can cause MCS. More info at: http://www.tmsforacure.org
Found out too late, that exposure to the chemicals used to develop 35mm film can cause multiple sensitivities. Working in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, I was crosstrained to develop the 35mm film. That is when I started having migraines from smelling colognes, perfumes, scented lotions my coworkers were wearing. Every day was a headache. It has gone downhill from there for the last 20 years. Airplanes are a living hell. Malls? Avoided like the plague. Walking around the block outside, dryer sheet smell hangs in the air like a toxic cloud, immediately giving me a headache. Wood burning fireplace fumes do the same thing to me. Building up your immune system is your only hope to help, but that is limited in how much it actually prevents symptoms. My sister’s throat swells shut from allergies so I consider my migraines to be a minor problem compared to death. Good luck to all of you. Heard about a place called, “SnowFlake,” where severely allergic people have their own community. Hey, I’m ready to start my own. This lifestyle, or lack thereof, is pretty pitiful. Happy to find people who truly understand.
David, my story is almost identical to yours. Auto body and paint, followed by chemical sensitivity to perfumes, solvents, etc. We need to talk. Please feel free to email me.
At 49, I finally have the “proof” that my symptoms aren’t psychological. Growing up, I had the good fortune to live with my mom, who didn’t clean much and didn’t go for air fresheners, etc. After trips to the mall, I would have to lie down in the back seat of the car, nearly passing out, and with all strength gone, as if I were poisoned. As an adult, I would find myself looking to foods to blame for my reactions – swelling, joint pain, confusion, etc. And the pattern of being “fine” when at home for long periods, then getting very “sick” when getting a new job and having to quit.. this mysterious cycle was starting to convince even myself that I had a psychological response. With my new job, I work 1 week on, 1 week off – so I’ve been able to watch myself heal on my week off. I have been able to make the connection to the cleaning products and plug-in air fresheners (that never stop!) and the personal products I’m required to use on my clients at work. I just had a conversation with a director of my department about looking for alternative products they can use to make things easier for me. After the first week at this job, I had to start using crutches, my knees were so inflamed. My hope is that I won’t have to quit yet another job. The struggle is real! Thank you for your site!
Hi everyone, oh my gawwwd, I am so thankful I found your site DavidT,
First of all– yeahhh baby! Camaro’s and Trans-Am all on the same platter, I love it! and I will be there to visit now! you may have to build a small shack for me to live in hahaha
Now – the other comments are simply amazing to say the least, I am 58 and have several food allergies that one would think – wow how could he have an allergy to that? Well I do LOL, however now that I am more in the know thanks to you😃 – I can plan a (better line of defence), as it were! I worked at Calgary Airport YYC many years back ’99 a lady I worked with used perfume that smelled like melted Nylon, it immediately triggered a severe Migraine, severe-pain/aura/vomiting/dizziness, i could not work alongside her even though she was the nicest lady ever and we always had fun when we did, I didn’t have much at all of the fragrance type MCS however with that being said, I am putting 2 and 2 together and learning the complete opposite, now also with that being said..I am sent into a Migraine situation when in close proximity of anyone with body odor not masked with deodorant-even unscented type,
Thanks everyone for the wonderful posts, …and education.
P.S. ..would be wonderful to find a career (at my age) that understands as you do, and I wouldn’t have to keep losing jobs every few months!
Mahalos to you all
John Ambrose
Thank you for sharing your story. I started experiencing chemical sensitivities in my 30s walking down the detergent aisle at the grocery store.The smell gave me a headache and nausea. I had a habit of holding my breath while I grabbed my free and clear detergent and dashed away before I could smell the toxic brands. Perfume which I enjoyed on myself and others in my 20s started giving me severe headaches in my 30s. In my early 40s, I had jaw surgery that did not go well. It was 8 hours long with lots of medications afterwards. I had a second surgery 3 days later (to try and correct the first one) and more medications. A week after the second surgery, I started having adverse reactions (headaches, dizziness, nausea) to ALL chemical smells and many foods. The slightest smell would set me off. I was bedridden for weeks from the pain of the surgery and from adverse reactions to smells, food and medications including antibiotics (which never bothered me before). No one could get near me with any kind of deodorant or scented shampoo. I read somewhere that a turbinate reduction (which I had during my surgery) heightens your sensitivity to smell. Whatever IT was, it has taken me 4 years to get to the point where I can handle a whiff of perfume or nail polish and not feel like I am going to pass out, to eat normally and to take medication without adverse reactions. After reading some of these stories, I feel like one of the lucky ones. I still consider myself sensitive but at least I am not having to run for my life near the detergent aisle or perfume counters anymore! We use all free and clear products at home and of course everything is unscented. I still steer clear of people wearing perfume in small spaces.
Thank you to everyone for sharing their stories. Good to know we are not alone, but I don’t wish this on anyone! Hope these chemists wise up before we completely destroy the planet with toxins!
I loved reading this blog! I’ve been dealing with MCS for about 20 years but the worst was when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and had to undergo radiation. Although MOST of the medical personnel did not ‘smell,’ I would often be exposed to fragrances worn by other patients in the facility. This is NOT the time you want to have an attack so bad you have to leave the facility. I’ve asked doctors why can’t they post a “Please refrain from wearing fragrances when coming to our office” sign but was told that is not allowed. Here in the United States, I truly believe MCS is not taken seriously nor do many in the medical field bother to learn about it. Anyway, thank you for your page.
Many scent-free products are available at your local supermarket and pharmacy. Others are available in specialty stores and may be more expensive. However, many of the specialty items are of high quality, and are effective in smaller quantities than the scented products.
As you look into scent-free alternatives to scented personal-care products, it’s important to be aware that the terms ‘fragrance-free’, ‘scent-free’, and ‘unscented’ are used virtually without restrictions. They may only mean that the product has less scent than the scented version of the same product from that manufacturer.
Nonetheless, choosing products with these labels is still safer than choosing the scented versions. The following list offers only a small sample of the scent-free products available and is not meant to be all-inclusive.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
Anti-Acne
Noxzema Complete Care for Sensitive Skin — fragrance-free
Oxy Daily Cleaning Pads for Sensitive Skin — fragrance-free
Body Wash
Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash — fragrance-free
Dove Moisturizing Body Wash — unscented
Goat’s Milk Moisturizing Body Wash — fragrance-free
Oil of Olay Moisturizing Body Wash — unscented
Our Compliments Moisturizing Body Wash — unscented
Cream
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream — fragrance-free
Dermal Therapy Hand, Elbow & Knee Cream — fragrance-free
Jergens — unscented
Neutrogena Facial Cream — fragrance-free
Neutrogena Hand Cream — fragrance-free
Oil of Olay Complete Care — fragrance-free
Oil of Olay Total Effects — fragrance-free
Vaseline Intensive Care Hand Cream — unscented
Deodorant
Arm & Hammer Anti-perspirant — unscented
Arrid XX Roll-on — unscented
Arrid XX Solid Stick — unscented
Degree Original — unscented
Dove Invisible — fragrance-free
Dove Silk Protection — unscented
Dry Idea Roll-on — unscented
Lady Speed Stick Gel — unscented
Lady Speed Stick Invisible — unscented
Mitchum Clear Stick — unscented
Mitchum Solid — unscented
No Name Solid Stick — unscented
Secret Roll-on — unscented
Secret Sheer Dry — unscented
Gel
Alberto European Extra Hold Gel — unscented
Dep 10 Sport Endurance Gel — fragrance-free
Dep 10 Sport Extreme Hold — fragrance-free
Dippity-do Sport Gel — unscented
Hairspray
Alberto European Extra Hold Hairspray — unscented
Clairol Final Net Ultimate All-day Hold — unscented
Clairol Regular All-day Hold — unscented
Laundry Detergent
All Free Clear – fragrance-free
Arm and Hammer Free of Perfumes and Dyes – unscented
Charlie’s Soap Laundry Powder – fragrance-free
Ecover Liquid Laundry Detergent – fragrance-free
Tide Free and Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent – fragrance-free
Tide Free and Gentle Pods – unscented
Lotion
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion — fragrance-free
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion — fragrance-free
Curel Moisturizing Body Lotion — unscented
Curel Therapeutic Moisturizing Lotion — fragrance-free
Dermal Therapy Extra Strength — fragrance-free
Exact — unscented
Goat’s Milk Lotion Moisturizing — fragrance-free
Keri Lotion Deep Conditioning — unscented
Keri Lotion Fast Absorbing — unscented
Keri Lotion Original — unscented
Keri Lotion Skin Renewal SPF 15 — fragrance-free
Lubriderm Body Lotion — unscented
Lubriderm Lotion — unscented
Lubriderm Seriously Sensitive — fragrance-free
Neutrogena Body Emulsion — fragrance-free
Neutrogena Body Moisturizer — fragrance-free
Nivea Body Lotion — fragrance-free
Oil of Olay Sensitive Skin — fragrance-free
PHisoderm — unscented
Vaseline Intensive Care Body Lotion — unscented
Shaving Cream
Aveeno Therapeutic Shaving Gel — unscented
Nivea for Men Sensitive Aftershave Balm — unscented
Nivea for Men Shaving Gel — unscented
Soap
Aveeno Balancing Bar — fragrance-free
Aveeno Clear Skin Bar — fragrance-free
Aveeno Moisturizing Bar — fragrance-free
Dove — unscented
Goat’s Milk Soap — fragrance-free
Jergen’s Naturals — unscented
Neutrogena — fragrance-free
Oil of Olay — unscented
Sunscreen
L’Oreal Ombrelle Suncare Research SPF 15 & 30 — unscented
SPECIALTY STORE ITEMS
Conditioner
Botanical Therapeutic Tree Essence — fragrance-free
Nature Clean Organic Conditioner — fragrance-free
Cream
Earth Science Almond-Aloe Facial Moisturizer — unscented
Earth Science Beta Ginseng Hydrating Cream — fragrance-free
Deodorant
DSA Crystal Deodorant Stone — unscented
Earthwise Baking Soda — unscented
JASON Natural Cosmetics Clearly Fresh and Natural — unscented
Kiss My Face Liquid Rock Roll-on — fragrance-free
Kiss My Face Solid Stick with Baking Soda and Clay
Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal — fragrance-free
Nature’s Gate Crystal — fragrance-free
Nature’s Gate Winter Clean Roll-on
NutriBiotic, The Original with Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera — unscented
Tom’s of Maine — unscented
Lotion
JASON Vitamin E Natural Hand & Body Lotion — fragrance-free
Kiss My Face — Olive & Aloe Oil Free Moisturizer — fragrance-free
Nature’s Gate — Herbal Moisturizing Lotion — fragrance-free
Shampoo
Botanical Therapeutic Tree Essence — fragrance-free
Druide Shampoo Hypoallergen, Horsetail & Proteins — fragrance-free
Earth Science Pure Essentials Shampoo — fragrance-free
Nature Clean Herbal Shampoo — fragrance-free
Shaving Cream
Kiss My Face Natural Moisture Shave — fragrance-free
Soap
Kiss My Face Liquid Soap — fragrance-free
Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Soap — fragrance-free
Nature Clean Pure Soap — fragrance-free
Sunscreen
Alba Botanical Sun Protection, Water Resistant SPF 15 — fragrance-free
I have allergies to unnatural perfumes. I am fine with rose oil. It would be so much better if at least unnatural perfumes in products were forbidden. Maybe we could put up a group to change the law? I have an LLB and I would say the easiest way to create and issue would be to sue a company. Any suitable company and it can be a small claims court where self representation is allowed. Add some journalists and it will snowball. The goal is not to win the legal battle but to start a policy movement. Though I will obviously aim to win by any means. But we need many people to join.
Why don’t some of us with MCS get together and purchase some land in Florida, make a rv community with no fragrances
etc. allowed and live a more natural/normal life???