Chemical sensitivities

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history

Chemical sensitivities refers to symptoms are being experienced in response to exposure to certain chemicals, which would not trigger adverse symptoms for most people, at least at low concentrations.[1]

Common triggers for chemical sensitivities include pesticides, perfume and petrochemicals, like petrol and paint.[1] Natural irritants like mold and wood-fire smoke are also common triggers.[2][3]

Symptoms of chemical sensitivities can include: headache, migraine, cognitive impairment, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, cardiac abnormalities, skin rashes, asthma, and anaphylaxis.[1][2][4][5][6][7][8]

New chemical sensitivities are recognized as a common symptom of ME/CFS,[9][10][11] and some people react to so many substances that they also meet the diagnostic criteria for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).[10][12][1]

Symptom recognition[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "1.3 Clinical features of the disease". The Italian Consensus on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) -- Consensus Document and Guidelines on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). The Italian Workgroup on MCS. Published 23 May 2019. University of Milan, Italy.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "1.2 Triggering of MCS", The Italian Consensus on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) -- Consensus Document and Guidelines on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). The Italian Workgroup on MCS. Published 23 May 2019. University of Milan, Italy.
  3. Rossi, S; Pitidis, A (2017). "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Review of the State of the Art in Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Future Perspectives". Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 60 (2): 138–146. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000001215. PMC5794238. PMID 29111991.
  4. A Scientific Review of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Identifying Key Research Needs. Published in 2010 by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme, Australian Government. Canberra, Australia http://test.nicnas.gov.au/Media/Latest_News/MCS.asp
  5. Valderrama Rodríguez M, Revilla López MC, Blas Diez MP, Vázquez Fernández del Pozo S, Martín Sánchez JI. Review of the scientific evidence on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Spanish Ministry of health, social services and equality. The Aragon Institute of Health Sciences, Spain; 2015. p.31
  6. Genuis, SJ (May 2013). "Chemical sensitivity: pathophysiology or pathopsychology?". Clinical Therapeutics (Review). 35 (5): 572–7. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2013.04.003. PMID 23642291.
  7. Ross PM, Whysner J, Covello VT, Kuschner M, Rifkind AB, Sedler MJ, Trichopoulos D, Williams GM (1999). "Olfaction and Symptoms in the Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Syndrome". Preventive Medicine. 28 (5): 467–480. doi:10.1006/pmed.1998.0469. PMID 10329337.
  8. Graveling RA, Pilkington A, George JP, Butler MP, Tannahill SN (1999). "A review of multiple chemical sensitivity". Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 56 (2): 73–85. doi:10.1136/oem.56.2.73. PMC 1757696. PMID 10448311.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Carruthers, BM; van de Sande, MI; De Meirleir, KL; Klimas, NG; Broderick, G; Mitchell, T; Staines, D; Powles, ACP; Speight, N; Vallings, R; Bateman, L; Baumgarten-Austrheim, B; Bell, DS; Carlo-Stella, N; Chia, J; Darragh, A; Jo, D; Lewis, DP; Light, AR; Marshall-Gradisnik, S; Mena, I; Mikovits, JA; Miwa, K; Murovska, M; Pall, ML; Stevens, SR (August 22, 2011), "Myalgic encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria", Journal of Internal Medicine, 270 (4): 327–338, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x, PMID 21777306
  10. 10.0 10.1 Carruthers, Bruce M.; Jain, Anil Kumar; De Meirleir, Kenny L.; Peterson, Daniel L.; Klimas, Nancy G.; Lerner, A. Martin; Bested, Alison C.; Flor-Henry, Pierre; Joshi, Pradip; Powles, AC Peter; Sherkey, Jeffrey A.; van de Sande, Marjorie I. (2003), "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical Working Case Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols" (PDF), Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 11 (2): 7–115, doi:10.1300/J092v11n01_02
  11. "Overlapping Conditions". American ME and CFS Society. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  12. "Multiple chemical sensitivity: a 1999 consensus". Arch. Environ. Health. 54 (3): 147–9. 1999. doi:10.1080/00039899909602251. PMID 10444033.
  13. "Symptoms | Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 18, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.