I also have allergies and asthma that are very symptomatic in the workplace.  I agree with you as to the inconvenience and expense in proving your own case.  I had to undergo allergy testing and several lphysician appointments (co-payments for office visits and prescriptions that cause financial drains!). 

One of my former colleagues used to freshen up her fragrance and hair spray at her desk during the day, and I found that she was exceptionally approachable and understanding when I explained to her that while I did find her fragrance pleasant, it was causing severe reactions with my asthma.  She was surprised by this, and said she wished she had known earlier.  She made it a point to stop wearing and refreshing her fragrance in the office.  She was so considerate once she understood that it was a health issue for me.

I found that co-workers were more sympathetic  and more accommodating than the 'office management' and 'corporate real estate' with their stringent requirements on documentation to prove that an issue exists.  They cannot rely on our word for this, and it is exceptionally frustrating.  Co-workers can make an immediate difference.

I believe that if you present your situation to your co-worker in a neutral manner (they feel offended possibly, and that causes them to be defensive potentially!) and explain that this is not something you have control over, and how you would feel upset too if you did not have the freedom to wear what you wanted to...... perhaps you would gain cooperation as I did.   This was the fastest solution for me while the other parts were being worked through.

I am still working on getting better each day, but one other thing worth mentioning is this:  there is power in your physician's note that states while you continue to have symptoms exacerbated by inhaled irritants,  your office must- MUST provide an atmosphere that is not threatening to your health.  Once I brought in my Dr. note and presented a copy to my HR representative/ department, the corrective action happened quickly.

Good luck !

Pat

This perfume problem isn't just in the workplace.  I can't go to church and sit there for an hour (sometimes an hour and a half) because everyone around me wears some type of perfume--whether it's actual perfume, hair spray, hair products, whatever.  If I can smell you when you walk by me in the grocery store, it's too much.  I get SEVERE MIGRAINES as a result of these strong smells.  Why do I have to suffer because people are clueless and think they live on an island where their actions don't affect anyone??  I am desperate to find a group that educates the general public on the adverse effects of perfumey smells on those sensitive to them.  If anyone finds such a group, please email me at aliciazim@yahoo.com. 

This year I joined AAFA out of frustration of coming across soooo m-a-n-y situations where poor indoor airquality has affected my exercise regimen-post total knee replacement, my place of work, indoor recreational facilities, etc. I lived in Boston, MA for a number of years and now reside in Connecticut.  Regarding your comment on perfumes, in another life I held a position with a couture fashion company and learned from experts about the chemical composition of perfumes. At that time, I learned that several perfumes manufactured in the United States tend to be produced with a number of synthetic ingredients.  Those manufactured i.e. in Europe for the most part tend to be produced with actual floral or herbal extracts.  For asthmatics, I can appreciate how all of these ingredients could potentially trigger an attack depending on which allergens or triggers the asthmatic individual would test positive.  Before I developed asthma, once exposed to a synthetic based perfume I would develop a painful sinus headache.  Once I developed asthma, I could not tollerate being around synthetic perfumes at all. 

In reference to communicating with employers, health club facility mangers and the like re: managing your asthma, I'm going share with you an experience I had with a physical therapy facility, for post total knee replacement excercise.  In that situation, I discovered that one of the back doors to the facility was left open and both cold air and car emissions entered the facility through the same back door located next to an overhand parking lot.  My approach with discussing asthma concerns with people is...3 strikes and your out.  On three different occasions, I approached management personnel of the facility to politely remind them I'm diagnosed with asthma, and that it can be managed successfully with recommendations per my Allergy and Asthma Specialist i.e., reduce my exposure to specific allergens or triggers, and pointed out to them the concern about 2 asthma triggers cold air, and car emissions entering the space.  Their reactions included dismissing asthma as being "in my head." Then I pulled some information I researched and included it in a comprehensive document/letter that explains asthma with the approach of educating the reader re: the following: 

*What is Asthma-in my travels here in Connecticut there are m-a-n-y people including even healthcare related professionals who are NOT familiar with what it takes to manage asthma. 

*What are Asthma Triggers,

*What are Asthma Symptoms-with accurate descriptions,

*Asthma and Exercise in Winter,

*Indoor Humidity levels recommended for Asthmatics, and

*Suggestions to Manage Indoor Air Quality.

*Asthma Management Program-an outline of what my asthma specialist recommends I do to manage asthma: medication, treatment, anti-allergen bedding, anti-allergen car filter, air purifier with filter, a/c with use of filters, and..all here mentioned filters changed each month, etc., etc(!). 

What's important here is that with each topic I refer to foot notes of credible information on asthma from sources via the internet, i.e., AAFA of course, New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weil Cornell Medical Center in New York City-great patient information on managing asthma in cold winter months, American Academy of Asthma and Immunology, Centers for Disease Control, New England Journal of Medicine, etc.  Copies of that foot noted information were included in the document. In this manner, I presented to them a STUDY on asthma that points to the fact that it is a disease that is to be taken seriously.  The credible information helps to underscore that.

Hope this is helpful.  I can certain appreciate the frustration of trying to get people to understand asthma so we can manage it successfully.

Diane

Newtown, CT

I'll add my 3 cents.I too have to agree some people BATHE in perfume.I've had asthma since 1993 and I'm bothered by strong smells,not just perfume.I can't handle most cleaning products,so I buy the cheap watered down kind at the $1.00 store......these I can use.I know most people like to wear fragances,men & women and most I can stand if they've been used in moderation,but SOME people can't do that......why I don't know.It's like if you can't smell it from 500 ft away they aren't happy.I think it's rude and inconsiderate to SOAK yourself in fragance to point of reeking with it.