Have you tried talking to your supervisor about it to discuss the problem? Maybe you have to go above them to get either some sort of policy in place or something to that effect. Let your boss know how much the job means to you and that you really want to continue to work there, but that the environment is not helpful to you. I know what you mean though. I had someone sit next to me today at work in our morning meeting and she must have loaded it on.. I was sitting there suffering with this horrible headache for the rest of the meeting.

I know exactly what you mean. I worked in an office with very poor air circulation so all that you could smell was perfume, hairspray and (even the bathroom smells, oooooh, gross) I talked to my supervisor about the perfume. I felt like a tattle tail and like a real health forum but it made me sick. It isn't like I was just nit picking, it is not worth suffering for. There were also girls who would go in the bathroom and put more perfume or hairspray on. It would smell the whole office up and make me really sick.
My only advice would be the same as above. Talk to your supervisor and explain that you are not trying to be mean of picky, but it is affecting your health and your work.

Do you not have occupational health & safety rules that require your employer provide a safe, healthy, work environment for all employees??
Talk to your supervisor nicely but assertively, explain your situation & the fact that you have talked to the other women (btw if they're friends i'd prefer enemies) with no luck & ask that the boss take action. I would also check out your legal situation/rights & if you're in a union check with them too - in other words know what you can & can not do/expect demand, what action you can & can't take if the boss does nothing.

I am so sorry to hear that you must work with individuals who are so inconsiderate. As one who suffers from multiple chemical sensitivity, I was literally forced out of the workplace because I could no longer tolerate the chemicals where I worked (construction industry).

People truly do not have a clue how devasting the scent of a synthetic perfume or hairspray can be to those of us who cannot tolerate these toxins. I'd like to send your co-worker a report on the toxins she is exposing herself to by using these synthetic products on her skin. Maybe then she would pay attention!

Now as a bit of comic relief, perhaps you could purchase a gas mask at the local army surplus store and wear it in to the office. Perhaps that would get your point across ;o).

One option that might work for you, would be to use an aromatherapy diffuser. I would recommend that you use only therapeutic essential oils so as to not further exacerbate your problem. Cheap aromatherapy oils will not be effective.

I would recommend using lemon, geranium, sandalwood or marjoram. I use a great little diffuser that is electric and about the size of an ostrich egg. You place a few drops of oil on a cotton pad and the diffuser fills the air with a healthy scent.

Another suggestion would be to consider doing a colon and liver cleanse. I have found that cleansing helps to eliminate the toxins which cause the sensitivity and cleansing also helps to keep my immune system healthy.

I hope this helps and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I'd be happy to help you determine what products would benefit you the most.

Be well,
kathy browning

This has happened to me and finally I just went to a specialist for my miagraine headaches. I have been put on amitriptyline hcl 25 mg. I have been on it for one week. So far no headaches...But feel a little tired. My pharmacist said that it would take a couple days of getting used to this medication. I will let you know of the outcome.