Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T21:34:58.103Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

What is the short term effect of perfumes on olfactory thresholds?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2007

A M Robinson ,
J A Gaskin ,
C M Philpott ,
P C Goodenough ,
M Elloy ,
A Clark  and
G E Murty
A M Robinson*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Norwich, UK
J A Gaskin
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Norwich, UK
C M Philpott
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, Norwich, UK
P C Goodenough
Affiliation:
Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Norwich, UK
M Elloy
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Norwich, UK
A Clark
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
G E Murty
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Norwich, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Miss Anne Robinson, Clinical Research Fellow, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK. Fax: +44 (0)116 258 6082 E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives:

Body sprays and perfumes are commonly worn by patients attending ENT out-patients clinics. Their effect on performance in olfactory testing is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether olfactory thresholds are altered by the presence of such fragrances.

Materials and methods:

One hundred and sixty healthy volunteers, aged 18 to 65 years, underwent olfactory thresholds testing. Each was then exposed to one of four strong perfumes, applied in a facemask for two minutes, and the thresholds were retested.

Results and analysis:

All olfactory thresholds worsened after being exposed to the strong perfumes of LynxTM and ImpulseTM body sprays, with the strongest effect being on olfactory detection of phenylethyl alcohol (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

Strong perfumes can have a negative effect on olfactory thresholds.

Significance:

Patients attending olfactory threshold testing need to be advised not to wear body sprays or perfumes.

Keywords

SmellPerfumeSensory ThresholdReproducibility of Results
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 121 , Issue 8 , August 2007 , pp. 755 - 758
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery meeting, 17–20 September 2006, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

References

1Hummel, T, Nordin, S. Olfactory disorders and their consequences for quality of life. Acta Otolaryngol 2005;125:116–21CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Landis, BN, Hummel, T, Hugentobler, M, Griger, R, Lacroix, JS. Ratings of overall olfactory function. Chem Senses 2003;28:691–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Wysocki, CJ, Gilbert, AN. National Geographic Smell Survey. Effects of age are heterogenous. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1989;561:12–28CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Doty, RL, Shaman, P, Dann, MS. Development of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test: a standardized microencapsulated test of olfactory function. Physiol Behav 1984;32:489–502CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5Doty, RL, Shaman, P, Kimmelman, CP, Dann, MS. University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test: a rapid quantitative olfactory function test for the clinic. Laryngoscope 1984;2:176–8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6Hummel, T, Sekinger, B, Wolf, SR, Pauli, E, Kobal, G. ‘Sniffin’ sticks': olfactory performance assessed by the combined testing of odour identification, odour discrimination and olfactory threshold. Chem Senses 1997;22:39–52CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Robson, AK, Woollons, AC, Ryan, J, Horrocks, C, Williams, S, Dawes, PJ. Validation of the combined olfactory test. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci 1996;21:512–18CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Pierce, JD, Wysocki, CJ, Aronov, EV, Webb, JB, Boden, RM. The role of perceptual and structural similarity in cross-adaptation. Chem Senses 1996;21:223–37CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Distel, H, Hudson, R. Judgement of odour intensity is influenced by subject's knowledge of the odour source. Chem Senses 2001;26:247–51CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10Cain, WS, Shiet, FT, Olsson, MJ, de Wijk, RAComparison of models of odor interaction. Chem Senses 1995;20:625–37CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11Wudarski, TJ, Doty, RL. Comparison of detection threshold values determined using glass sniff bottles and plastic squeeze bottles. Percept Mot Skills 2004;98:192–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12Philpott, CM, Goodenough, P, Wolstenholme, C, Murty, GE. What solvent for olfactory testing? Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci 2004;29:667–71CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Philpott, CM, Goodenough, P, Robertson, A, Passant, C, Murty, GE. The effect of temperature, humidity and peak inspiratory nasal flow on olfactory thresholds. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci 2004;29:24–31CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14Dawes, PJ. Clinical tests of olfaction. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci 1998;23:484–90CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed