Ask nicely; if they persist and your symptoms continue, go through the allergy testing with your doctor so you have documentation, THEN go to the manager.

Perfume allergies are not uncommon!

I agree with Diane, and they sometimes develop over time or due to changes in our bodies. But, I have noticed that older women sometimes seem to lose their sense of smell and dump the stuff on more and more so they can smell it.

A co-worker from my last job went through the same thing. The woman on the other side of her cube used to really pour it on heavy. She really did put way too much on and my co-worker had a bad allergic reaction to it.

I believe this woman was told what my co-worker's reaction was to her perfume, rather than being asked to stop wearing it. In the end, she didn't let up with the perfume. My co-worker got a gigantic air cleaner (which was very loud) and plopped it right on her desk. So, perfume lady now had to deal with her own type of annoyance, which was noise pollution. It was very childish in my opinion (that the woman didn't ease up on the perfume), and you might have to deal with that type of reaction. It might take moving your desk.

I don't sit next to anyone who wears perfume, although the perfume smell covers probably a 75-100 square foot area (how much does one wear to stink up such a large space?) I think these women would be receptive if I let them know that I am having a bad reaction to it. However, I agree that usually what happens is the perfume wearing stops for a week or two, then after the break, the habit is restarted with a vengeance, to make up for the lost days.

the hubby's office has a no perfume/cologne policy. it all started when one of his employees was rushed to the ER with an asthma attack due to a man's cologne. you might want to review your company's hygiene policy (many have them) and talk to your superior. he/she might be able to help you take the sting out of confronting someone personally.