Perfume allergies are more common than we realize, I think. In our church choir, the director always reminds us not to wear perfume because being close together and singing really affects one of the members - and it isn't me because I never said anything.
I have always had a bad reaction to perfume. Usually I get a horrid headache within minutes if it is pretty strong, or close by. Sometimes I get nauseated. If it is added to soaps, shampoo, detergents, I will break out in a rash. So do a few of our kids. My mother always used to get mad at me when I was young because of it. But it isn't exactly something I could help.
Age has tamed it down somewhat, but I am still fairly sensitive to it and other chemical smells too.
We have a friend whose wife told me he cannot tolerate perfume and even make-up with fragrances, so out of courtesy I avoid perfume when we get together with them. I think being in closer proximity to people/industrial things has made many more people MORE sensitive now.....where in the past we had the wide open spaces.....and less perfumed fragrances also.