Can a smell kill someone?

OK, so allergy in the extreme.

Some of us are more sensitive to smells than others. A strong perfumed woman or overly fragrant potpourri might set someone into a cough or sneeze, or to get stuffy. OK, pretty normal.

But can a perfume or fragrance kill someone?

I was just told by a friend's mom that she is allergic to fragrance. So allergic that exposure to someone wearing heavy perfume can "literally kill me, dear" not the mild allergy that only makes you cough.

So, is she just crazy or can a smell really kill her?