by Valerie Igl, MFT
People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) experience adverse health reactions following exposure to a wide variety of substances, including perfumes, scented personal care products, and smoke, to name a few.
Symptoms vary widely from person to person, and include headache, fatigue, sleep disturbances, dizziness, heart palpitations, respiratory difficulties, swollen lymph nodes, abnormal taste sensations, impaired circulation, gastrointestinal problems, joint and muscle pain, weakness, loss of coordination, nerve irritations, and even seizures. Many cerebral symptoms can also appear, such as clouded thinking, difficulty in concentration and communication, memory loss and feelings of intoxication. Emotional symptoms may occur as well, such as depression, panic attacks and emotional outbursts. Finally, persons with MCS may have typical symptoms associated with allergies such as itchy eyes, nasal congestion, sinusitis, asthma, hives and other rashes, and even anaphylactic reactions. Symptoms can be delayed for days, and can last from seconds to months.
The wide variety of symptoms has made the medical community slow to understand MCS. Some have been so perplexed by the disease that they have called the symptoms psychosomatic. However, there are significant overlaps with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, and 16% of Californians in a random study reported some degree of chemical sensitivity. Women are affected more frequently than men.
The exact etiology of MCS is unproven and the mechanism of the illness is unknown. Some develop MCS after a single major exposure to toxins, while others seem to develop symptoms slowly following cumulative events.
The above information is paraphrased from an article written by Dr. Ann Campbell, M.D., of Santa Fe, New Mexico. If you would like more information or resources, you can contact me at or 510-527-5662. My office is maintained as a scent-free space, designed to be accessible by those with multiple chemical sensitivities. I am personally and professionally experienced with issues related to MCS.
Request an appointment with Valerie Igl.
