I’m down with that. I started deleting man-made fragrances from my life 30 years ago, and over time I became extremely sensitive to them.
When people are inundated daily with strong, un-natural odors, they become de-sensitized to them over time.
Removing oneself from such an environment restores a person’s normal level of olfactory perception.
Therefore, when a person is again exposed to those same odors, in the same concentrations, they can be overwhelmed to the point of serious discomfort, or even disability.
I’ve experienced it myself. It’s gotten to the point where if I have to hold my breath on the detergent aisle in the grocery store, the fragrances are so pungent.
You sound like me when I go down some candle aisles. I hold my nose with one hand and push the cart with the other hand. Don’t get me wrong. I love smells. I found some pine cones that were scented with cinnamon today but it was so strong that I had to pass on them. I have a large glass vase which they would have looked great but my health comes first and I already have an allergy problem.