It’s a lot more common than you’d think!
No matter how much we try to “go green”, there is always going to be a certain amount of chemicals and toxins in our homes. We can never completely avoid them, as they are in our shampoos, makeup, cleaning products, toothpastes, and even our foods.
For the most part, we can avoid any negative side effects of these chemicals by limiting our exposure to them. However, in some cases, our bodies react more strongly to certain chemicals than we might realize. This is a condition known as multiple chemical sensitivity, or MCS.
Another name for MCS is idiopathic environmental intolerances. Essentially, what it means is that your body reacts strongly to low-level exposure to the toxins and chemicals found in our everyday lives. For example, you may react to paint fumes, car exhaust, synthetic fabrics, plastics, scented products, pesticides, or cigarette smoke.
The problem with MCS is that the symptoms can be pretty vague. Unlike most disorders or chronic health conditions, the symptoms of MCS are common with a host of other health problems. There are no MCS-specific symptoms.
Some of the signs of multiple chemical sensitivity include:
- Headaches
- Inflammation of the joints
- Redness of the skin
- Rashes
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Gastrointestinal tract dysfunction
- Inflammation of the airways
- Breathing problems
- Bloating
These are all basically symptoms of low-grade allergic reactions, which is essentially what’s happening. Your body is reacting negatively to the chemicals to which it’s exposed to. However, instead of reacting to one-time exposure, it’s ALWAYS being exposed to those chemicals. This leads to long-term symptoms, hence the label “chronic health condition” for multiple chemical sensitivity.
READ MORE: 9 Dangerous Chemicals in Your Kitchen
What could trigger the symptoms of MCS? You’d be surprised by how many different things your body is allergic/sensitive to when you have MCS. The triggers can be everywhere!
You may be lying in bed, and your deodorant or your spouse’s cologne/perfume triggers the reaction. The fragrance of your home air freshener could trigger the reaction, as could cigarette smoke in a restaurant, the cleaning supplies you’re using to keep your home clean, or even the pesticides or weed killers you use in your garden. The fact that you’re sensitive to so many chemicals means there is a much higher risk of triggering the reaction than with a normal allergy.
But what causes the problem? Why are you so sensitive to chemicals?
The sad truth is that doctors still aren’t entirely certain what causes MCS. Some believe that it’s an immune response to allergies, while others say that it’s related to the human body’s extreme sensitivity to certain smells. Heck, some doctors have even tried to connect MCS to anxiety and depression.
In some very few cases, there are causes that can be pinpointed. For example, if you were exposed to strong chemicals (such as in a chemical spill), it could be what triggered the autoimmune response. Or, if your workplace is poorly ventilated and you are exposed to higher levels of chemicals than is healthy, it may also be behind the problem.
If you suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity, it’s time to look at your life and find areas where you might be exposed to chemicals. Work with a doctor to find the best treatment for your symptoms, and find out what dietary and lifestyle changes you’ll need to make in order to deal with the disorder. It doesn’t have to ruin your life, but it will take a lot of changes to cope with the health problem.
