What is multiple chemical sensitivity?
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is when a person has symptoms when they come in contact with certain chemicals. This condition has many names, including idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI), chemical sensitivities, environmental illness, and total allergy syndrome.
Some people have a very keen sense of smell; they can smell an odor that others cannot. They are more prone to MCS. Even if they think an odor smells pleasant, it can still cause MCS symptoms.
MCS is also associated with Gulf War and Sick Building Syndromes.
What triggers MCS?
Many substances that cause MCS are found in our homes and used in our daily lives, like perfume, that we may not think of as a chemical. Below are a few common triggers:
- Cleaning products
- Air fresheners and deodorizers
- Personal care products like deodorants, perfume and cologne
- Nail polish and nail polish remover
- Smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and vape pens
- Off-gassing of new furniture and carpet (volatile organic compounds)
- Paint and paint thinner
- Pesticides
- Asbestos
- Fumes and exhaust from gasoline and diesel fuel
- Fumes from asphalt paving
You may be exposed to chemicals at your workplace. Construction and cleaning jobs may expose you to high levels of chemicals, while office jobs may expose you to low levels. Both can be dangerous. If you are concerned about your chemical exposure at work, contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
What are the symptoms of multiple chemical sensitivity?
MCS is a chemical intolerance. The level of exposure that causes symptoms is different for everyone. Even low-level chemical exposure can cause an adverse reaction. Symptoms of MCS include:
- Asthma
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Memory problems
- Nausea
- Skin rashes
- Joint pain or muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Allergy symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and sore throat
How is MCS diagnosed?
Receiving a diagnosis of MCS may be challenging. The condition itself is considered controversial. Several professional health organizations (including the American Medical Association) do not currently recognize it as a medical condition. Some doctors believe there are psychological factors that contribute to the condition as well. Your physical symptoms may be invisible, but they are not imaginary.
It is recommended to find a healthcare provider who specializes in environmental health. An ear, nose, and throat (ENT), asthma, or allergy specialist may also be able to diagnose multiple chemical sensitivities.
Individuals with MCS should maintain a symptom diary. This diary can provide valuable information to the medical team during diagnosis, as your doctor will take a patient’s history and ask about chemical exposure.
People with MCS often have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome as well. Medical researchers refer to these disorders as central sensitivity syndromes.
How is MCS treated?
The lack of treatments for this chronic condition can be frustrating. Since MCS is triggered by exposure to chemicals, the best treatment is to identify, reduce, and avoid exposure.
Using your symptom diary, track where you are when you have symptoms, how severe and frequent they are, and if the symptoms go away when you are removed from the trigger. This will help you identify which substances are triggering MCS.
Multiple chemical sensitivity: Reducing and preventing chemical exposure
The best way to manage MCS is to create a prevention plan.
- Use a personal air purifier. The Respiray Wear A+ with Activated Carbon is a personal air purifier you can wear anywhere. The Activated Carbon HEPA filter removes strong odors and chemicals, like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), from the air you breathe. The light device is worn around your neck and, when turned on, pulls air through the activated carbon (charcoal) air filter. Odors and chemicals are adsorbed (or get stuck) in the filter, reducing your MCS symptoms. A soft flow of purified air is ready for you to breathe. This affordable device is quiet and comfortable, so you can wear it at work, at home, or while traveling.
- Use indoor air purifiers. Adding an air purifier to your home HVAC system or using a room-size air purifier can help. These purifiers must be the correct size and maintained properly to be effective. Change the filters as recommended by the manufacturer, and use HEPA or activated carbon filters.
- Go fragrance-free. Stop using scented personal care products, perfume, or cologne. Swap unscented or battery-operated candles for scented candles. Don’t use air fresheners in your home or car.
- Use natural cleaners. Avoid using harsh chemicals to clean and disinfect. Choose unscented products, or use white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda to clean.
- Ventilate correctly. Use exhaust fans when cooking or open a window, especially when using a gas stove or cleaning products.
- Avoid pesticides. If you have pests in your home, use non-toxic methods to control them. Use diatomaceous earth or sticky traps to eliminate roaches. Plug up any holes with steel wool to keep mice from entering. Keep counters free of crumbs and sinks dry.
- Use Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified Products. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and Allergy Standard Limited independently tests and certifies products that are better suited for people with asthma, allergies, and MCS.
In summary
If you think you have multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome:
- Keep track of your MCS symptoms
- Find a healthcare provider that believes in MCS for a diagnosis and treatment plan
- Identify, reduce, and avoid even low levels of chemical exposure at home and work
- Use your Wear A+ with Activated Carbon HEPA filter to filter strong odors and chemicals from the air you are breathing
