To think that I CAN use cold remedies in the office?

[MrsElizabethShelby]

I have been told that I cannot use olbas oil/vaporub in the office due to a staff member who has asthma.

Staff remember sits approximately 40 feet away from me.

I understand no spraying of aerosols perfumes (already a rule) but olbas oil/vaporub to help with cold symptoms? Really?

AIBU to state that I am forced to go home ill if I cannot use things to ease my symptoms.to enableme to work?

Over a thousand people a year die from asthma attacks in the UK. YABU.

Take pills instead.

YABVU
The fact she smokes is stupid but none of your business
Olbas oil stinks and is very irritating

You can't use something that strong smelling in an office. It's the same as smelly foods, a bit of consideration. Share your cold, not the smell of your stuff.

There are countless other things out there to use for a cold. It doesn't have to be that and even if she does smoke doesn't give you the right. It's likely to be bothering other people not just her. It's strong stuff.

I’m asthmatic and I use both of those. Is perfume banned in the workplace? Because I find that far more of a trigger - along with second-hand smoke. What’s the back story with this person, OP?

A friend of a friend had asthma.

I say had.

He died last weekend. From an asthma attack. Even if he hadn't had a massive heart attack, the asphyxiation caused massive brain damage and severe paralysis.

"Luckily" he was an organ donor and managed to help 7 people have more life with their loved ones, even when he couldn't.

You are being so ridiculously unreasonable about this. It's a cold. Push through it or take sick leave.

If you don't know her, how do you know she smokes 20 a day?

Those smells obviously trigger her asthma. There are plenty other things you can do for a cold. Don’t be so selfish.

I’m so glad when someone I worked with started wearing the aftershave that really irritates me they were much kinder than you and stopped wearing it to work as soon as it was mentioned.

Yes as pp you are definitely BU

I also think it’s douchey to use anything with a strong smell like that in a shared office. They can make plenty of people (eg during pregnancy, migraineurs, anyone with a history of TBI) feel sick and dizzy.

In my old workplace I had to get my manager to put a request out that staff didn't apply perfume/deodrant/aftershave in the staff locker room and that people wear less in general at work. I would walk past certain people and instantly have difficulty breathing. Also certain smells seem to linger longer than others. So someone with particularly strong aftershave could have moved out the area 5 minutes before I got there, and I would still be able to smell it and have difficulty breathing. Some things are a lot stronger and hang around longer than people anticipate.

And as for using public transport, that's why I carry inhalers everywhere. I have frequently had to move train carriages or get off the bus early because some twat sits spraying something or has smothered themselves in half a bottle of perfume.

I very much doubt the asthmatic would be making it up. If you don't even apply it at work how would they even know it was you that was using it unless they could generally smell it coming from your direction.

I also think it’s douchey to use anything with a strong smell like that in a shared office. They can make plenty of people (eg during pregnancy, migraineurs, anyone with a history of TBI) feel sick and dizzy
I agree entirely with you.
Anyone who uses strong smelling things in the workplace is quite selfish in my opinion.

That would affect my asthma. Anything that stops someone being able to breath is a no no. There are many other things you can take to help your cold that wont screw over another person.

YANBU and congrats for creating a thread on MN where a smoker is being defended rather than being called filthy, stinking and disgusting 👍

Olbas oil is really potent stuff. Several of the essential oils in it can’t be legally sold in the UK on their own, and all of them combine into something that often makes people’s eyes sting and noses run. I hate it when some idiot starts sploshing it around in the sauna at my pool, it’s awful. To carry on using it when someone has actually asked you not to is really selfish. Stop being a bloody martyr and inflicting your germs and remedies on the whole office, and stay off sick until you feel better.

You’ve been told using those things will affect somebody’s ability to breathe and you’re arguing against it? Seriously have a word with yourself, is that the kind of person you want to be?

Nasal sprays and tablets are much more effective anyway.

TrickyPrickears
Smoking is a disgusting habit.

I still don't think it's right or fair to stink the office out with vapour rub and olbas oil.
If the OP is only using them then they're not that ill. If they're properly unwell they need to take cold and flu products or be off work.

The smoking was only introduced after people disagreed with the OP. It's a classic drip feed when a poster isn't getting the responses they want.

@AntiHop I sit by the door to the stairs that's closest to the fag shelter.

Tbh I don't even think she has complained. My manager is a relatively new manager and is abit of a pain in the arse.

Just do what you want, you clearly think it’s a ridiculous request so what’s the point in asking here?

Honestly never knew that vicks was a trigger to asthmatics. I was always told growing up to dap a tiny bit around my nostrils when going on a long haul flight to avoid germs from other passengers with coughs and colds.

Admittedly, I have never remember to actually apply it but definitely will not do it now.

I have asthma and had no idea those things were meant to be bad for asthmatics

Admittedly, I have never remember to actually apply it but definitely will not do it now.

If it’s never affected you then it’s fine to use it. I take ibuprofen despite it causing problems for some asthmatics.

Not every thing is going to trigger every asthmatic. If he fine with the vicks, but olbas oil irritates the shit out of my chest. Some asthmatics will be the opposite or fine with both.

Is there a chance your new manager isn't being a pain in the arse but has actually had multiple people say the office stinks of olbas and menthol, so they're doing the right thing by mentioning it for the good of everyone?

Where you sit is irrelevant. If you have an issue with your desk location, you could have raised it at any time.

Bottom line is a decision has been made in the workplace that comes down to 'please stop using olbas and methol products'

You sound very self centered. Of course YABU.

I think it's very self centred to use strongly scented products like olbas oil and vaporub in a shared office. Even more selfish if it affects someone's asthma!!

Just take paracetamol and phenylalanine (adult cold capsules from the pharmacy) with Sudafed nasal spray.

The thing is they are not really effective medicines, they just make you feel like you are breathing better without being actual decongestants.

Take decongestant tablets instead.

I think it's very self centred to use strongly scented products like olbas oil and vaporub in a shared office. Even more selfish if it affects someone's asthma!!

Absolutely this.