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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: arobinson@doctors.org.uk
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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

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Footnotes

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

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