For people who are suffering from continuous sore throats at home, you might be asking yourself if it has anything to do with that lovely new scented candle you brought?
Scented candles can cause sore throats in people who are allergic to either the candle wax or the scent, sore throats can also be a symptom of asthma which can be triggered via candles.
To help you get to the bottom of your sore throat, we've made a small guide below about the common allergy symptoms from scented candles, other causes in candles that cause ill health effects as well the best candles to choose to avoid sore throats.
Are You Allergic To Scented Candles?
If you suffer from allergies or asthma, scented candles could well be causing them or triggering them without you knowing.
We've listed some common symptoms of allergies to scented candles down below.
You might be concerned that it is the fragrance of your candle which could be giving you a sore throat, this can be easily troubleshot just by using a different fragrance.
However, there are other issues from candles that could be giving you a sore throat that you might not have considered. We made an article to know if Can Scented Candles Cause Breathing Problems.
We've listed some causes down below to help you out.
It is possible the candle wick of your scented candle could be giving you a sore throat. Candles made before 1974 were often made with a lead core wick which emitted chemicals into the air and could cause symptoms such as sore throats.
Most modern candles will now have cotton or wooden wick, so it is unlikely a lead-core wick would be causing your sore throat, however, you can always rub it against some paper just to double-check.
Parrafin candle wax has been debated about its safety to burn for a while, it is the cheapest form of candle wax and comes from petroleum which could potentially release low levels of chemicals when burnt.
In most people, this shouldn't cause any negative health effects but it can trigger allergies in some people who are sensitive which could result in a sore throat.
Burning candles does release VOC's and particulate matter into the air, this is no more than others from daily objects such as car fumes, but it still does taint the air quality in your home.
If you are suffering from a sore throat with scented candles, it's worth trying a natural made candle out of materials such as beeswax or soy wax which could be kinder to your allergies.
You should also consider choosing scented candles that are made with essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances as these are more natural since they come from plants.
Consider reading this article to know if can scented candle cause coughing or not.
Just because you get a sore throat from certain scented candles doesn't mean you can't use them at all, we've bullet-pointed a few important tips below which will help to calm your allergies when lighting candles in your home.
Read this article to have an idea if Candle Wax Toxic To Humans before buying!
Are candles dangerous for your health?
No, there are reports to say that candles are dangerous to your health, however, choosing all-natural types is often the best choice if you have allergies.
Is the smoke toxic from candles?
No, the smoke is not toxic from candles, but paraffin candles do emit more chemicals when burned.
How can I avoid sore throats with scented candles?
Try switching to essential oils and staying further away from the candle, keep doors and windows open too.
To conclude, scented candles can cause sore throats in people who are allergic to the fragrance, wax, wick or the particulate produced by the candles when being burnt.
As an alternative, we suggest switching to non-scented natural candles or candles fragranced with essential oils which are less likely to produce irritation in your throat.
Learn more here Are Scented Candles Bad For You?