Living with chemical sensitivity can be a daunting experience, as it often involves adverse reactions to various environmental triggers, affecting our daily lives. 

Individuals who suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) experience illness when exposed to low levels of common chemicals found in perfumes, paint, pesticides, solvents, new building materials, vehicle exhaust, and smoke. 

The symptoms of MCS can be diverse, ranging from headaches, fatigue, and body aches to asthma, rashes, dizziness, nausea, and tremors. Some symptoms can be mild, while others may be life-threatening. People with MCS may also react to certain foods, medications, mold, pollen, and electromagnetic fields.

Living with severe MCS can dramatically impact all aspects of a person’s life, making it incredibly challenging to work, find safe housing, access healthcare, socialize, or pursue hobbies. 

Unfortunately, relationships with family, friends, and co-workers can become strained because many people do not believe MCS is a genuine illness, leading to misunderstandings and lack of support.

In this blog, I’m here to give you hope. We will delve into chemical sensitivity, explore its causes, and discover how to recover and regain quality of life through a Functional Medicine approach. 

What is Chemical Sensitivity?

Chemical sensitivity, also known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), is a condition in which individuals experience heightened reactions to environmental triggers, such as cleaning products, fragrances, and pollutants. This heightened sensitivity can lead to a range of symptoms, impacting physical and emotional well-being.

We now recognize a collection of symptoms known as multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). It’s becoming more known, but we still don’t have a clear definition of what it is or what causes it. The number of people with MCS seems to be increasing, and it may be because the amount of toxins in our environment have skyrocketed, and are impacting our health on a cellular level, causing “toxic terrains.”

People diagnosed with MCS may not have a specific pattern of symptoms; it can vary a lot from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms are related to breathing and heart issues, fatigue, headaches, muscle and joint pain, memory problems, and mood changes. These symptoms can be similar to those seen in other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome. But in MCS, they’re thought to be triggered by exposure to chemicals.

It’s challenging to describe or diagnose MCS because it involves many different parts of the body, the symptoms can be inconsistent, and there aren’t clear physical or lab tests to confirm it. However, using functional medicine labs, we can identify many other imbalances, infections and toxicities that could help us understand why your body has these reactions.

Symptoms of Chemical Sensitivity

• nasal congestions
• sore throat
• breathing difficulties
• fatigue
• headache
• joint aches
• back pain
• muscle aches
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• weakness)
• memory loss
• forgetfulness
• mood or personality changes 

Keep in mind that symptoms can range from person to person. You may experience one of these symptoms or a multitude of them. 

Triggers of Chemical Sensitivity 

Chemical sensitivity can be triggered by various substances and environmental factors. Some common triggers of chemical sensitivity include:

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• Fragrances: Perfumes, colognes, air fresheners, scented candles, and other strong-smelling products.
• Cleaning Products: Household cleaners, bleach, ammonia, and other chemical-based cleaning agents.
• Pesticides: Insecticides, herbicides, and other chemicals used for pest control like glyphosate. 
• Paints and Solvents: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in paints, varnishes, and other coatings.
• Personal Care Products: Shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and cosmetics containing chemicals.
• Tobacco Smoke: Secondhand smoke and exposure to smoke from cigarettes or cigars.
• Air Pollution: Outdoor pollutants like smog and vehicle emissions.
• Formaldehyde: Found in some building materials, furniture, and household products.
• Dust and Allergens: Dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens.
• Mold and Mildew: Damp environments can lead to mold growth, which can trigger sensitivity in some individuals.
• New Carpet and Furniture: The release of chemicals from new carpets, furniture, and flooring materials.
• Gasoline and Fumes: Exposure to gasoline, diesel fumes, and other vehicle emissions.
• Certain Foods and Food Additives: Some individuals may have sensitivity to specific food items or additives.
• Medications: Some people may develop sensitivity to certain medications or their components (even if they are part of a protocol, so we need to keep a close eye during your chemical sensitivity treatment plan).

It’s important to note that triggers can vary from person to person, and individuals with chemical sensitivity may be sensitive to a combination of these factors. Identifying and avoiding triggers is crucial in managing chemical sensitivity symptoms.

What Causes Chemical Sensitivity?

The Terrain Theory provides insights into the reasons behind chemical sensitivity. Our inner “terrain,” influenced by our environment and diet, plays a vital role in our overall health. 

Factors like toxic chemicals, heavy metals, poor diet, stress, and exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), all weaken our terrain, leading to frequent illnesses, inflammation, sensitivities, and toxicities. Medications, particularly antibiotics and steroids, can also contribute to an imbalanced terrain.

Mold Toxicity + Lyme Disease

The common underlying culprit to multiple chemical sensitivities are mold toxicity, Lyme Disease and even parasites. A toxic terrain makes individuals more susceptible to mold toxicity, parasites, and Lyme disease. These pathogens thrive in toxic environments, further weakening the immune system. 

It becomes a vicious cycle unless we deliberately cleanse and restore balance to our terrain to promote better health.

When your body is fighting multiple things at once, it will prioritize what it thinks is the biggest threat. In most cases, the body becomes overwhelmed, cell danger response stays on, and drainage pathways become stagnant. This leads you to develop multiple allergies and sensitivities to foods, and scents, and in extreme cases become sensitive to even the water you drink. The key to fixing these underlying stressors is to address them in the correct order.

Can Chemical Sensitivity Go Away?

The possibility of recovering from chemical sensitivity exists, but it requires addressing the underlying imbalances contributing to the condition. With the right approach, commitment, and professional guidance, individuals can significantly reduce their sensitivity and reclaim their lives. You don’t have to live like this forever. 

However, you need to work with a doctor that specializes in multiple chemical sensitivities/ chemical sensitivity. Not only will your treatment plan be very customized to you and your body based on functional lab testing, but we will address all of your imbalances and infections in the correct order. 

You need to address the issues that are most stressing out your body first. If not, your body will not be able to put its focus into healing the other imbalances and it will be harder to heal.

Chemical Sensitivity Treatment from a Functional Medicine Provider

Functional Medicine offers a holistic approach to treating chemical sensitivity and will help guide you on how to recover from chemical sensitivity. 

By identifying individual triggers and addressing the root causes, such as toxicities, infections, and imbalances, Functional Medicine Doctor, Dr. Jamie Ahn guides patients towards recovery. Treatment may involve lifestyle adjustments, dietary changes, detoxification protocols, and stress management techniques.

Recovering from chemical sensitivity is possible with the right strategies and support. 

By understanding the underlying causes and addressing them through a Functional Medicine approach, individuals can regain their quality of life and embrace a future free from the limitations of chemical sensitivity. 

Book a call with us today to get started on your healing journey.