I’ll never forget the first time I smelled something truly foul. I was 14 and attending my first day of high school. After being picked up by the school bus, I could smell the overwhelming stench of oil and burning plastic coming from the oil factory that was less than a mile away. The whole time, I was wondering whether I would even be able to go to school that day. Fortunately for me, the weather that morning was particularly bad, and the air quality was poor. Not only was I able to go to school that day, but I also didn’t end up with a severely compromised immune system thanks to that day’s pollution.
When the time finally came to leave the house that afternoon, I could still smell the oil factory. It was a smell that would stay with me for the rest of my life. Ever since that day, I’ve become extremely sensitive to smells, and so have most of my friends. To this day, if you walk into our shared living room, you’ll probably smell something. It usually takes the form of perfume, aftershave, or any combination of the two. A few of my friends can even smell it when they bathe. They’ll tell you that it takes them back to when they were kids and had to play in the dirt, because that’s when they started smelling things. It’s all in fun, of course, but that sensitivity has had serious consequences for them. One of my friends has even started avoiding public places due to the fact that she can’t stand the stench of other people’s perfume.
Odor Intolerance
If you or someone you know has a strong sense of smell, then you know how important it is to be able to smell what you eat and drink. Most people can’t smell anything past certain smells, like:
- Rotten eggs
- Dead animals
- Chemicals
- Garlic
- Onions
- Coffee
- Beer
- Chocolate
- Marzipan
- Radishes
- Tobacco
If you or someone you know is extremely sensitive to smells, then exposure to any of these smells can be intensely unpleasant, even dangerous. It’s also been known to aggravate existing conditions like asthma and allergies. If you or someone you know suffers from any of these conditions, then being able to control your exposure to the aforementioned smells might be critical. Luckily for you, we have a solution.
Odor Neutralizers
If you’re looking for a solution that can help you tackle your sensitivity to smells, then you might want to consider trying out odor neutralizers. These are sprays, gels, or powders that you spritz on surfaces or wipe down with, depending on the nature of the surface or material. They’re meant to be sprayed or shaken on fabrics to tackle smells before they become noticeable. The best thing about these products is that they’re usually relatively nontoxic and easy enough for most people to use. Especially for people with asthma or allergies, it’s a great solution to try out because they don’t usually leave a sticky or oily residue like many other cleaning products do. And, at least in the case of some of the more expensive ones, they are also biodegradable.
What Type Of Smell Are You Sensitive To?
It’s a good idea to find out what type of smell you’re sensitive to. Different smells can be unhealthy, depending on what they are. Here are some of the more common smells that people are sensitive to:
- Chemicals
- Onions
- Chocolate
- Rotten Eggs
- Garlic
- Beer
- Marzipan
- Radishes
- Tobacco
If you find out that you’re sensitive to one or more of these smells, then it’s important to identify what is the source of the smell. In most cases, it’s coming from a source that you’re not used to. If this happens to be the case, then it might be a good idea to try and cut down on your exposure to these smells. Not only can they be harmful, but they can also be incredibly strong. If you or someone you know is extremely sensitive to smells, then it could be dangerous to be around when the source of the smell is not taken care of properly. This is why it’s important to be diligent about cleaning your stovetop and oven annually, as well as making sure that all trash is taken out regularly.
The Dangers Of Not Treating Your Odor Issues
Not treating your odor issues can be dangerous for your health. It can cause a variety of problems. Some of the more common ones include:
- Respiratory problems
- Digestive problems
- Skin rashes
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Lack of focus
- Poor sleep quality
- Acne
- Stress
- Hives
- Irritability
- Hunger
- Fatigue
Not only can untreated odors lead to serious health problems, but they can also create a variety of other problems. It’s important to remember that there are some smells that you simply can’t eliminate. For example, if you have a strong sense of smell, then you know that death is never far away. It can be a slippery slope that leads to all kinds of dangerous situations. For this reason, it’s important to be mindful about what types of smells you’re exposed to, especially if you’re a child. It’s also important to take proper precautions when around open fires, such as barbecue grills, because it’s easy for the air to become polluted with smoke.
How Do You Know That The Smell Is Unhealthy?
There are simple ways to determine whether or not the smell you’re encountering is healthy or unhealthy. If it smells acrid and toxic, then it’s most likely coming from something that’s been burning recently. Something that smells burnt offers no benefits to your health. It’s always best to assume that something that smells bad is dangerously bad, especially if it has the potential to burn. Another important factor to consider is how you feel after you smell the odor. If you feel agitated, anxious, or otherwise irritated, then it’s best to assume that the smell you’re encountering is likely unhealthy. Even if you have no known sensitivities, it’s still a good idea to assume the worst until proven otherwise. If you want to be on the safe side, then it might be a good idea to steer clear of these sources of pollution, or at least be aware of what they are. This way, you can take proper precautions and minimize your risk of harm. These are all legitimate reasons to be wary of a particular smell or source of pollution, even if you have no known allergies or sensitivities to odors. The only way to truly be confident that a smell is safe is to research its source and learn more about what’s contained within it.