Are there scents or smells I should avoid?

Hi ,my nebuliser helps me a lot ,but I try to only use when really needed ie; when my ventolin doesn't help me ,,,or when I've got a chest infection ,used wisely you will feel the benefits ,but over use is not good as if you take too much you can get palpitations etc,,,as for candles I don't have them about the house unless they are unscented ,,,and my daughter has them everywhere ,,,but not when I visit ,,,,I also find strong cleaning products like bleach etc takes my breath ,,,,so I use sugar soap mixture for day to day cleaning ,but you'll find out what you can yourself can tolerate we are all different,,,remember don't over do the nebuliser ,,,best wishes ,,,happy cleaning day , ,

Hi , I burn candles every night and they don't affect me at all, but saying that we are all different. I would try and see what happens xxx

Hi Krissi:  As other people have said on this forum, we are all different, meds. react differently for each individual, the same goes for candles, cleaning stuff, etc.  As for how often you should be using your inhalers, etc. go by what your doctor told you to do.  Personally, I try to only use my inhaler once a day but lately have had to use it up to 3 times per day.  Stress seems to really make my breathing worse and lately I've been dealing with some very stressful situations. I try to use "green" cleaning products with no fragrance, etc. in them.  I've quit using perfume, which kind of sucks and I rarely use hair products, even hair spray I hardly ever use anymore.  If I burn candles, and I love candles, I only burn beeswax candles with no fragrance in them.  It's kind of a trial and error thing to find out what works best for you personally.  As Nanny says Bleach is a big no no, but I "cheat" once in awhile as it does do such a good job at sanitizing; I wear a mask if I am using a weak bleach solution and I don't stay in the same room, ie. if I have the bleach in a toilet, I leave the room and open a window.  Pleased to hear that you are doing so well Krissi.  x

Just thought of something else that I swtched out; was using Tide to wash my clothes and whatnot, nearly all of the Tide products had a very strong fragrance to them and the smell really bothered me.  It seemed to permeate the whole house and the smell stayed in my clothes and sheets and towels.  I now use and have been for quite a while a green washing detergent.  There is no fragrance in it at all and it's made a big difference.

Glad your medicine is working well for you krissi

I don't do perfumed candles, no aerosol air fresheners or the time release fragrance that puff into the air every so often or when  someone passes.  I don't do washing powders either or strong scented soaps. For better air quality at home I avoid these things.

I would avoid being near anyone wearing perfume the same as I would avoid any one smoking.

I go mainly for eco green washing liquids, natural soaps like, olive, dead sea salt or neem, although I can take slightly perfumed shower gels. bubble bath and I do still use sparingly and careful not to puff into the air imp leather talc.  I'm also ok with vapourising pure essential oils in water or those quality pure essential oils diluted and used in therapeutic preparations. 

I use unscented quality candles ok,  I won't buy cheap candles because some can release parafin like fumes into the air.  The non drip candles are really good.  Trim the wick if you have long burning candles as you wouldn't want smoke released into the air.

I don't wear skin perfumes now at all..

If you can still walk down the supermarket aisle where the washing powers are or if you can pass the perfume counter in a large department store without it affecting your lungs.  I'd say you are doing ok.

 

Hi krissi!!!

I have found that with MY COPD, my sense of smell is more acute!!  ALWAYS, I find that I start sneezing  (up to 8 times in a row) when I walk down the soap/laundry aisle.  I try to walk quickly, grab what I need while holding my breath and carry on!    I really haven't been able to define specific odors that affect me, only, like I said, all of my sense of smell is VERY acute!  COPD is certainly a mysterious disease, isn't it!!

To Nanny:   Goodness, since you were diagnosed in 1992, you have certainly taken care of yourself!  It will give those people on this forum that you CAN survive with COPD but you need to alter your lifestyle!  Thanks Nanny, and God Bless!!