There are several triggers that can leave an asthmatic gasping for breath and coughing so badly they are throwing up. For me, it’s pine, many perfumes and many air fresheners. Te perfumes and fresheners are often based around pine or carnations, both of which cause problems.
Asthmatics aren’t the only ones who have problems with air fresheners. Anyone with allergies may have an attack when exposed to them. It doesn’t matter if they are aerosol, gels, oils or incense, they create serious difficulties.
You may think that this is a trivial matter and that anyone who complains about it is whining. I’d like that to be true, but it isn’t. In order to understand, you may need to know more about the conditions themselves.
Asthma: The sensations are that of chest tightness, strangulation and an intense need to cough. The first two are caused by swelling inside the lungs and in the throat. If the swelling is bad enough, the asthmatic will stop breathing. At that point, the patient could very easily die.
The coughing is in part due to the swelling, but an asthma attack also means mucus production in the lungs goes on high. The coughing is the body’s attempt to get rid of it so it doesn’t drown. This, too, is a serious issue.
Allergies: This can take several forms, depending on how the body reacts. An allergy is the result of one part of the body…the immune system…attacking other parts of the body. An allergy may be as mild as itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose.
That sounds like a minor issue, and at that point, it is. However, allergies often progress the more often the person is exposed to the agent causing it. That progression can include hives, asthma attacks and anaphylactic shock. The latter can mean death in a matter of minutes.
This doesn’t mean you have to give up on air fresheners. If no one in your house is allergic or has asthma, go for it. You may want to ask guests if they have a problem. They will appreciate it, particularly if these products cause serious problems.
Even if someone in your house has a problem with air fresheners, you don’t have to live with the smell of last night’s fried fish. There are other ways. Boil a couple of sticks of cinnamon and let the steam waft through the house. Citrus fruits are also helpful, particularly lemons. A bowl of them on the kitchen table or the coffee table in the living room can dispel many bad smells.