Suffering From Chemical Sensitivity

​At my routine dental appointments, I am always asked "are you allergic to anything?" My unwavering and resounding response is "absolutely! I am allergic to pain." However, putting levity aside, when we speak in terms of allergenic chemical intolerance, it is by no means to be taken lightly in that it affects so many people with an array  and varied degrees of debilitating symptoms. And in this article I will share some of my findings on this topic, however, I would encourage you to do your own research as well.

In one of this week's episodes​, my guest related how synthetic chemicals or manmade products in beauty products severely affected her health and by her tenacious research of the topic, was able to resolve her chronic health issues. And hence, was motivated to create her own cosmetic line of products that are Hypoallergenic, Paraben Free, Petrochemical and Solvent Free, Silicone Free, Dioxane Free, Lead Free, Heavy Metals Free, involving no Animal Testing and are 100%organic, and is known as Zorica of Malibu in Ca.

Presently, chemical sensitivity is commonly known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). But unfortunately, the official definition of MCS as a health condition is not recognized as a well-known medical entity by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the American Medical Association, nevertheless it is recognized as a health disability in countries such as in Germany and our northern neighbors, Canada, which is a good beginning of acknowledgement.

Controversy over the validity of the disease is somewhat due to the lack of careful  study of the symptoms, or a general medical acceptance of the origin causing these chemical sensitivity reactions. When reading of a lady we will call Mary, she experiences symptoms from a variety of internal reactions, from mental fog to physical pain, diarrhea, myalgia or muscle aches, loss of motivation or depression, and strange intermittent skin rash. The triggers for MCS vary, sometimes extending beyond chemicals to food and strangely enough, electromagnetic fields. Lab results at this point have not  been reproducible, hence, people such as Mary not only endure horrific, ongoing illness but also the study whether their condition is actual or “real.”

Mary dubbed herself as a universal reactor meaning she was allergic to the world. During  the 1990s, Mary  became allergic to her entire living environment, such as the mold colonizing her indoor living areas and the paint covering her kitchen areas, antiperspirant or deodorants, body wash and anything containing synthetic products. All sorts of public areas abundant with artificial fragrances were totally intolerable . Even disinfectants or Scent and air fresheners in medical buildings made visiting her own doctor  a veritable torture. As we know perfumes and colognes are ubiquitous, this too prohibited her from social family gatherings. Even enjoying her own back garden spaces was difficult because  of insecticides smells and not to mention the neighbor’s laundry room detergent that permeated the air. When contemporary medicine failed to identify the cause of Mary's illness, she became a recluse, feeling like this was her only solution. She began insisting for her spouse to completely strip down and immediately shower every time he came back in from the outdoors. And can you imagine her Grandchildren visiting her through a back window? Sadly, by this point Mary had been isolated in her home for more than six years. If you do not have anything even close to Mary's chemical sensitivity reactions, count your blessings.

Whether it is organic or psychosomatic or something somewhere in the middle, multiple chemical sensitivity can cause chronic health issues, and people like Mary often feel forlorn or totally abandoned by humanity.

The first reported instance of MCS was documented in 1952  in the Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine. The journal speaks of a 41-year-old woman, reporting that she  complained of many and various bizarre symptoms. Like my guest, this woman was a former cosmetics sales representative, she moaned of ongoing lethargy, always tired,  she suffered from  swollen limbs, headaches and intermittent fainting which diminished her ability to perform her job. A physician had previously diagnosed her with hypochondria or Hypochondriasis  which is a condition where a person is extremely and unreasonably concerned about having a serious illness and more  into the realm of psychology and not physiology.

but this woman was desperate for a real medical diagnosis and treatment. However, her doctor noted that the drive into the city of Chicago had exacerbated her chronic symptoms, but her symptoms were almost miraculously resolved when she checked into her hotel accommodation on the 20th floor, thus, her doctor extrapolated that  she was far removed from the toxic vehicle exhaust fumes from the street which improved her condition. Furthermore, the doctor reported a combination of 30 substances that she reacted to when touching fibers such as nylon, the contact of lacquer in nail polish, when swallowing aspirin, all sorts of food coloring, the inhalation of strong perfume, the burning of pine wood in her fireplace and the jabs of synthetic opiate meperidine, and of all things Benadryl as well.

Chemical sensitivity  or multiple chemical sensitivity  MCS is an indisputable problem but most shy away from discussing it, and I suspect it is because of the lack of knowledge.

In this country, it has been estimated 55 million people have complaints of symptoms intricately connected to chemical intolerance. To put it in other terms, one fourth of adults are symptomatic when exposed to daily chemicals, and many times are oblivious as to the source. But what is the culprit of chemical sensitivity? And what chemicals should we be completely staying away from?

Is there an effective  or natural cure for chemical intolerance?

The short answer is "no, “there is no present cure for eliminating multiple chemical sensitivity entirely, but there are definite homeopathic and various natural straightforward ways we can effectively manage chemical sensitivity symptoms. We should immediately stop using any products you have determined to cause allergy triggers from jarring chemicals, such as infamous perfumes, aftershaves lotions or repulsive colognes, indoor fresheners, cleaning solutions, laundry room detergents or toiletries. But instead, choose products that are fragrance  or scent free and are labelled as organic, environmentally and skin safe, my guest suggested.

Of course, good ventilation also helps in this regard, so at your place of employment, strategically situate your desk next to a window, and spend a few dollars on a good air purifier for your home.

Since we spend from seven to nine hours sleeping, your bedroom environment can make a stark contrast to how we react to synthetics. When we consider synthetic bedding, such as the fiber polyester, we are likely to set ourselves up to increase chemical reactions due to  the processing of these harsh synthetic fibers. For a peaceful and enjoyable slumber  without chemical disturbance or MCS response, make certain to bed down on natural bed linen that is  hypoallergenic, organic like  wool sheets.

If you are finding yourself like Mary, who was isolated and imprisoned in her own home, and your reactions and symptoms are creating a problematic situation for you and your family, for instance, if you are leading a life of reclusiveness, and not enabling you to leave your home, it is time to  visit your primary health care provider.

Additional and proven modalities of helping people with multiple chemical sensitivity would include a nutritional protocol, a visceral cleansing, and an immunologist to help you overcome sensitization.

Typically, multiple chemical sensitivity symptoms are bad during the day, it is more than likely that your symptoms will  worsen during the night. And if you value your sleep as much as I do, it would be distressing if your shut eye is  constantly being disturbed with an itchy rash, a relentless headache or by uncontrollable  sneezing. That is why preparing your bedding free from synthetics as much as you can is so imperative, it affects your entire biological system.

So, what is the secret to a better night’s rest? And what are the preferred products for chemically sensitive folks? As we earlier mentioned, it is a common fact that any product made of wool is nature’s best  material and can make a world of difference to those suffering with multiple chemical sensitivity. Wool is completely free of chemicals, but also gives you a hypoallergenic environment, thus, mitigating  allergies or chemical intolerance symptoms. Wool naturally breathes, so you can take it to the bank that you will be receiving more of a contented, more of a salubrious sleep when you retire for the night. It is a matter of listening to your body as to how  your system reacts to your surrounding environment, and the sobering truth is, we cannot entirely protect ourselves based on the world we live in which is driven by profit and not so much by promoting a healthier lifestyle.

So, work closely with your health care provider, and after testing for deleterious chemical products, it may prove to be a pathway to live the life you were meant to live. There are definite other factors to consider which can improve chemical tolerance of which I am not qualified to discuss since every person's chemistry is so different, therefore, requiring different medical modalities. So, I would encourage you to be your own health advocate.

I have come to appreciate that life has an inherent mathematical  equation, made up of problems and solutions, so, let us never get stuck like a deer in the headlights on constantly dwelling on the problems but more on finding the solution in everything we personally experience, and this is not limited to chemical sensitivity.