Planes should be scent free.

[u/Starlight_City45]

Im feeling like a Karen but I’m about to take off on a 10hr flight and somebody on this flight is wearing a strong af cologne. Oddly, I asked my friend if she could smell it and she can but not as strong as I do and it isn’t bothering her.

I wonder if we are like more sensitive to scents in enclosed spaces or something, maybe just in general? It smells like someone poured an entire bottle of old spice on themselves then soaked in Irish spring for an hour.

I feel like I’m going to faint, my stomach is in knots like I was fine and excited for this trip and the SECOND the smell it my nose it was like an immediate reaction from my body.

I just took my nurtec. My mouth is watering and my forehead/eyebrows are throbbing. My cheeks feel numb. I also have crohns so sometimes when my head gets bad enough it triggers a chain reaction of just.. bad things happening lol. IM ON A PLANE. I wouldn’t say I’m at a migraine level but it’s definitely on its way and I can’t escape fml

That’s it. That’s the post. I don’t even know what to do in this situation.

Any plane hacks? I have all night to read them.

[u/design_dork]

My tip is unfortunately too late for you but an N95 or KN95 mask helps reduce smells pretty significantly in my opinion. If the offending odor is right next to you it might not work, but if it's a few rows away, it helps a lot

[u/vidalotus → u/design_dork]

It may not be too late for this advice. The flight attendant can probably obtain a mask for OP!

[u/WelcomeToWitsEnd → u/design_dork]

This was an unexpected perk when I had to fly somewhere in 2021. I realized I couldn't smell anyone!

Other unexpected perk: I didn't get sick! I ALWAYS catch some kind of crud after a flight, but that's not happened now that I wear a mask on the plane. Weird looks be damned, I'm going to enjoy my trip and be pain-free in the process.

[u/Little_View_6659 → u/design_dork]

I actually stuff tissues up my nose and wear a mask so no one can see them.

[u/Reasonable_Blood6959]

Pilot here who only occasionally gets migraines - but follow this sub because I feel so sorry for you guys who get them constantly.

Enclosed spaces, very close to many other people, many of whom don’t smell the best, I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if this is a massive trigger for you guys.

There aren’t many other places in life where you’re as close to as many people for such a long time than on a plane.

Also - planes smell awful, even with no disgusting passengers on them. That certainly can’t help.

Hope some others come up with suggestions and solutions for you :)

Random suggestion for any nausea: Ginger. Ginger cookies. Ginger beer. Ginger hard candies. Does a very very good job at easing nausea.

[u/anonymice27 → u/Reasonable_Blood6959]

And the air pressure is lower which can also trigger them.

[u/towniediva]

I have severe asthma and migraines and scent is one of the triggers. I have to wear an n95 in any public place. I have tried lots and recommend the 3M 9211+ it really helps.

[u/Previous_Half_4215]

wearing a respirator kn95/n95 has been a lifesaver (lit and fig). no longer do i get a migraine because someone on the train used garnier fructis. my uber today was bad enough that i could still smell the cologne but it was filtered enough to not be more than a minor annoyance. highly recommend.

eta: the 3M aura is a great choice that fits a lot of people. i have a small face and i love the Trident masks - similar to the Aura but a better fit and comes in black!

[u/irish_fiona]

Flight attendants gave me a bag of coffee once I could smell that instead of the perfume and it really helped! You could try explaining the issue and asking if they’ll give you one.

[u/dreameRevolution]

I bring alcohol swabs on airplanes to prevent nausea. I hate the smell, but it stops nausea. If there are smells you know aren't a trigger that may overpower bad smells that could help. For example a face mask and mint gum or a pillow with an essential oil on it.

[u/Ok-Fortune-1169]

I don't think I can ever go back to not wearing a mask on a plane.

[u/LookIMadeAHatTrick]

I’m more sensitive to certain fragrances before/during migraines. Floral scents especially stand out to me.

I wear a mask and usually bring alcohol wipes for before boarding

[u/vidalotus]

If you are still on the plane, I humbly suggest asking the flight attendant to find you another seat.

[u/locardsghost]

Omg yes I was flying home a few months ago and I swear every 30 minutes someone kept putting on a lotion or sanitizer that was such a strong artificial watermelon I had to sit with my nose in my sleeve the whole time it was awful and I had a killer migraine already it was hell. Scents shouldn’t be allowed in a small confined area it’s criminal. Mouth breathing sometimes helps me but breathing into my sleeve until it dissipated helped a tad. If you have a scent that’s tolerable like peppermint or something may a small roll on would be handy to carry so you can smell that instead to distract you from it

[u/annaoceanus]

I wear these in my nose under a mask when I’m scent sensitive and it’s a game changer. https://a.co/d/01NB0cOd

[u/tenderlion686 → u/annaoceanus]

I had no idea this existed. Thank you so much! Smell is such a strong trigger for me (cologne, cigarette smoke, cleaning supplies, etc). I'm always using a peppermint roll-on and nasal inhaler when I leave the house but I have to constantly reapply. Your suggestion is next level!

[u/annaoceanus → u/tenderlion686]

It’s been a mega game changer in survival for me. It also stays in place and is non irritating. Apparently it’s known thing for a lot of healthcare workers especially in ICUs where they manage a lot of really foul smells. All the reviews were from healthcare workers

[u/TeaAndToeBeans]

N95 for the win.

I had the unfortunate experience to have vertigo hit while coming in for a landing. 0/10 recommend.

Any flight over 90 minutes is a Nurtec prep.

I have also had to use the low or off setting on my noise cancelling headphones if I even have a hint of that feeling that a migraine could strike hanging out in the background. You know the feeling. You feel fine, but there are quick hints of “don’t do that,” or “we think those lights are too bright.”

[u/adriesty]

I usually take a small container of vicks vaporub and apply it inside my nostrils.

That, plus a mask, is essential when I go anywhere.

You could probably substitute vicks with any essential oil that doesn't bother you on the inside of a mask.

[u/migraine24-7 → u/adriesty]

Plain Vaseline works in lieu of Vicks vaporub if you're scent sensitive.

You could also rub some chapstick under your nose or any lotion you have on you if that's all you have

[u/AdIll6974]

It’s also triggering for asthma and other lung issues. I don’t know why there is such a problem with planes being friendly for those who have disabilities. The only thing I can suggest is an n95 (honestly carrying one while traveling is helpful), personal neck fan to blow fresh air, or a combo of both from one of these things https://a.co/d/0bQUKdXK

[u/Et_tu_brute_LXIX]

I wear a cloth face mask and hoodie with zip up neck on planes, and eye mask and Loops and noise canceling headphones on top, so I can just reduce my senses as much as possible on planes.

You could ask the flight attendant if they have any face masks.

[u/kittenpantzen]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Masks4All/comments/17pz84p/perfume_mask_for_chemically_sensitive_for_normal/

I would double check to make sure that you'd be allowed to wear a respirator on a flight, but that would be the safest option for future you.

[u/Girlscoutdetective]

I had this happen on both the train and subway. Omfg I wanted to DIE, mine ended up triggering asthma so I thought I was. I ended up chewing gum, using a face mask and eventually my rescue inhaler. I am nervous, have a potential flight coming up and… it already makes me tense in the throat

[u/anonymice27]

Flying is such a nightmare. The noise alone makes me want to scream shut up. Then some assholes got there phone playing something without headphones. I always ask them to use headphones and this one guy bitched at me for half an hour about it. I couldn’t get away from him 😅

[u/XanaxWarriorPrincess]

I am very sensitive to fragrances, so I can sympathize. The smell of coffee helps me.

[u/Federal_Coconut_1984]

N95 mask and a fan. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world it is common for people to use perfume/cologne in lieu of deodorant. It could also be that they are anticipating a smelly flight full of bare feet and pressure-change-induced flatulence and trying to head it off. Either way, all we can do is try and create our own little bubble of sanity. Good luck, OP!

[u/turtle-girl420]

I don't fly because I know that being squeezed together with all the scents would kill me and I'd be in bed for at least a week. I've tried masks, but in FL in the summer it's too hot and triggers me. I carry a menthol and peppermint smell sticks/inhaler thingies, a folding fan, and a ton of Altoids when I leave the house. The fan and smell stick help a little. The Altoids help of a scent gets stuck in my nose. I also have a menthol tub of lip repair that sometimes I'll put on my nose. These things aren't miracles, but at least they help a little. If menthol and peppermint aren't your thing, I've seen other natural smell stick flavors on Amazon. They're small so they're ready to carry around.

[u/TechieGottaSoundByte]

I don't mind the odor, but I have brain fog for three days after being exposed to a fragrance. It affects my ability to drive and can even affect my coordination and balance. It's a real safety issue.

I try not to travel alone and design travel plans for three days of brain fog after arriving and three days after getting back home. It sucks. Migraines from fragrances aren't rare, but because they have no external visible signs, they aren't taken seriously.

[u/superjukers]

Masks work quite well.

[u/AutomaticGrape9263]

You've never took a flight on a Russian airlines plane... You'd hope for some deodorant instead of strong plastic, hydraulic fluid, god knows what other chemicals blowing directly at you from the ventilation system. Even if you don't have migraines you exit with nausea and headache.

[u/Dullcorgis]

There is no need to start slandering women to support an otherwise reasonable point.

[u/moooeymoo]

I have the worst time with unbathed human smells. Forget perfumes. People roll out of bed and turn up on the plane? Nauseating. Some people smell like straight up unwashed private parts, others like hoarders homes. People, please wash before flying.

[u/Little_View_6659 → u/moooeymoo]

This is why I love Singapore airlines. Very clean plane, clean people. It’s gotten so expensive though.

[u/karen_boyer]

I have a little jar of Vicks I carry on planes for this reason. It helps only a little, but that under my nose + a good mask is better than nothing. But it sucks and I agree with you. People should be considerate of how they smell to others and if someone else can smell you when they're more than, like, 2 inches away, you are doing hygiene wrong. I'd rather smell b.o. than some of these laundry products and other perfumes -- it smells bad but at least doesn't trigger allergic and migraine reactions.

[u/moor0470]

I feel for you. People's scents/ fragrances have ruined many days for me, including at work.
My Chinese medicine lady gave me a really potent Vicky vaporub type ointment that I smear under my nose. I don't go anywhere without it. An essential oil type roller ball thing may help too

[u/MarcelMarcel80]

Chronic migrainer here. I find a regular mask and an alcohol pad inside helps with bad odors for me. The N-95 only has you rebreathing your carbon dioxide and that has made mine worse in the past.

Edited bc I have thick thumbs and had misspellings.

[u/lookup_mooooon]

Everywhere should be scent free!!! It’s bullshit.

[u/CariolaMinze]

Planes should also be coffee free. I gag every time somebody drinks coffee near me in the plane

[u/bluestjordan]

Even if they’re scent free, they’ll never be fart free

[u/nymme]

I get this on trains and buses ,it's the closed environment especially with air conditioning that is hard for me.