How is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity diagnosed?

See how Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is diagnosed. Which specialists are essential to meet, what tests are needed and other useful information for the diagnosis of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

How is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity diagnosed?

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a condition in which individuals experience adverse reactions to low levels of various chemicals in the environment. Diagnosing MCS can be challenging as there is no specific medical test or widely accepted diagnostic criteria for this condition. However, healthcare professionals typically use a combination of medical history, symptom evaluation, and exclusion of other possible causes to make a diagnosis.

Medical History

The first step in diagnosing MCS is a detailed medical history. The healthcare provider will ask the patient about their symptoms, the specific triggers that seem to cause their symptoms, and the duration and frequency of these reactions. They will also inquire about the patient's exposure to chemicals in their home, workplace, and other environments. It is important for the patient to provide as much information as possible to help the healthcare provider understand the pattern and severity of their symptoms.

Symptom Evaluation

Next, the healthcare provider will evaluate the patient's symptoms. MCS symptoms can vary widely among individuals but commonly include respiratory problems, headaches, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and skin irritations. These symptoms typically occur after exposure to low levels of chemicals found in everyday products such as cleaning agents, perfumes, pesticides, and certain building materials. The healthcare provider will assess the consistency and severity of these symptoms to determine if they align with the characteristics of MCS.

Exclusion of Other Conditions

Since there are no specific tests for MCS, it is crucial to rule out other potential causes of the patient's symptoms. The healthcare provider will conduct a thorough physical examination and may order additional tests to exclude other medical conditions that could be responsible for the symptoms. These may include allergies, asthma, autoimmune disorders, neurological conditions, or other environmental sensitivities. The goal is to ensure that the symptoms are not caused by an underlying medical condition that requires different treatment approaches.

Environmental Testing

In some cases, environmental testing may be conducted to identify potential triggers in the patient's environment. This can involve air quality testing, testing for specific chemicals or allergens, or evaluating the patient's living or working conditions. However, the results of these tests are not definitive for diagnosing MCS and are primarily used to identify potential triggers that can be avoided or minimized to alleviate symptoms.

Specialist Consultation

Due to the complexity of MCS, healthcare providers may refer patients to specialists who have expertise in environmental medicine or toxicology. These specialists can provide further evaluation and guidance in managing the condition. They may conduct additional tests or recommend specific interventions to reduce exposure to chemicals and improve symptoms.

Self-Reporting and Symptom Tracking

Self-reporting and symptom tracking play a crucial role in diagnosing MCS. Patients are often advised to keep a detailed record of their symptoms, triggers, and any changes in their environment. This information can help healthcare providers identify patterns and make a more accurate diagnosis. Additionally, self-reporting can assist in monitoring the effectiveness of any interventions or treatments implemented.

Conclusion

Diagnosing Multiple Chemical Sensitivity relies on a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's medical history, symptom presentation, exclusion of other potential causes, and sometimes environmental testing. While there is no specific medical test for MCS, healthcare providers use a combination of these approaches to make an informed diagnosis. It is important for individuals experiencing symptoms of MCS to consult with a healthcare professional who can provide appropriate guidance and support.

Diseasemaps

Posted Mar 30, 2017 by KilkennyGirl 1000

You MUST see a physician that understands the disease, as most do not.

Posted Oct 9, 2017 by Andrew 1300

MCS is not usually diagnosed as such. It will be given diagnoses' of Asthma, Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS), COPD, Headaches, etc. While these are all valid, considering the symptoms, the difference would be in the triggers. When MCS patients are prescribed medications and inhalers for their treatment, there is a very real potential that the treatment will make the condition worse. Most physicians are reluctant to diagnose MCS as such.

Posted Oct 24, 2017 by Paul 3000

Western Medicine has a massive stake in denying the credibility of chemical hypersensitivity. Therefore there are no lab tests to determine if someone has this condition. A few practitioners have adopted a questionaire plus ruling out anything else. The majority of sufferers cannot connect the dots from their disease to the precipitating event. They arrived by the "low dose, repetitively, over a long time route."

Posted Oct 27, 2017 by JLMcK 5550

MCS is almost always self-diagnosed, mostly because doctors are generally not trained for it. There are few medical professionals, if any, who can help with MCS. I don't know of any formal tests.

Posted Oct 28, 2017 by Katya 1042

Witnessing how a patient is disabled by exposure to chemicals.

Posted Oct 31, 2017 by Diane 600

I got nowhere with doctors when it started.
I had to figure it out myself.
I have a GP now who is informed and works also in allergies.

Posted Jul 7, 2018 by vicci gates 700

Diagnosis is difficult due to the many factors involved and usually results from a close look at the persons reactions to various exposures.

Posted Jan 6, 2019 by Cindi 3050

MCS is diagnosed through a process of elimination. If the same symptoms can be repeated with exposure to toxins on a consistent basis and no other medical conditions are present, your doctor will assess you to have MCS. At this time there is no “testing” that can diagnose MCS due to its complexity of how it affects each individual.

Posted Mar 26, 2019 by Sharon 1300

I have no idea. It's not recognised in the UK

Posted Apr 1, 2019 by Susan 2500

By a MCS trained professional

Posted Apr 9, 2019 by MCSzombie 6220

By a doctor who knows what it is.

Posted Jun 4, 2019 by Heather 3000

There are no tests for multiple chemical sensitivity. It is most often diagnosed by the patient after realizing the being around certain things triggers negative reactions in their body. In fact, a lot of doctors may encourage patients to go see a psychiatrist because they believe it's psychosomatic.

Posted Jul 21, 2019 by Trisha 1350

Many people report of being diagnosed after years of ignorance and disturbing physical symptoms. There isn’t a test, scientists, specialists and clinicians are still missing signs of MCS and other debilitating illnesses in the same spectrum. The key to getting a diagnosis is you. Keeping a journal, documenting every reaction, every symptom, chronicling your journey, gaining insight and knowledge into your own health. Keep a file. Present it at every appointment you attend, it’s important! You may not get to see the same GP, specialist, consultant, psychologist, physician, nurse or clinician twice, do you really want to repeat yourself more than once, you may miss out points, miss out something that will become relevant in gaining your diagnosis. Having support in your journey helps when you do present the evidence to your physician. It’s distressing when you have all of these problems with your body and then to be told ‘it’s all in your head’ and be sent for psychological evaluation, which does happen in a lot of cases. Your key person will elaborate and collaborate on your illness in ways you don’t get to experience it yourself.

Posted Aug 22, 2019 by Carmen Rosemarie 2550

THis is changing - some believe blood shows pathogens/toxins. Using an environmental doctor or researcher is the only way as normal doctors have little exposure to this condition.

Posted Nov 18, 2019 by Angie P. 5000

If you really want a good diagnosis, go talk to a clinical ecologist. These are people who specialize in figuring out what triggers you and helping you stabilize and improve. Unless you audit your life and make some changes, you will probably revert back to your original condition. You are your best specialist when it comes to diagnosis; trust your gut and take good care!

Posted Dec 12, 2019 by Joanna 6200

MCS is self diagnosable, but can be confirmed by a medical professional. Thou know your body best. If you react to certain chemicals, avoid them.

Posted Jan 24, 2020 by Tiffani 1300

In my country I have not found one medical person that has a idea of the illness. But in other countries they do have. I was diagnosed in UK.

Posted Jan 30, 2020 by Noeleen 2500

Ive found the diagnosis of MCS to be controversial at best. Many health practitioners are hesitate to officially diagnose a patient. A natural path or enviromental doctor will diagnosis someone with MCS based on just their word and description of what is happening to them, but taking that diagnosis to say - Kaiser to try and seek disability - they will fight you.

A $500 allergy panel is sometimes offered (and not covered by insurance) and a referral for treatment with an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor if respiratory issues are a symptom. It’s important to be sure you don’t have asthma or other lung issues.

Posted Feb 11, 2020 by Rheama 1600

For me it was through symptoms, blood work (IgE IGg RAST) Allergy testing (Prick & Patch) as well as a visible slin condition - contact dermatitis. The diagnosis was Environmental Illness (MCS/EI)

Posted Mar 31, 2020 by Judie 1860

Seeing the doctor regularly and complaining about symptoms over the course of several years. I received my diagnosis after 3 years of complaints.

Reporting out and documenting the products and ingredients that are producing the symptoms.

Ruling out allergies (see an allergist)
Separating mental health diagnosis from other causes from ingredient reactions -- as some chemicals CAUSE mental health symptoms. (see a psychiatrist AND a therapist). Note when an exposure to something causes you to express mental health symptoms.

Possible diagnoses:
-idiopathic environmental intolerance
-allergy not otherwise specified

Seek a primary care physician who doesn't automatically attribute your sensitivity to mental health. Find someone else right away and don't waste time going back to that provider. Be mindful of gaslighting.

There are no tests for it that I'm aware of.

I notice that people who have a chemical sensitivity also have other conditions, like cancer, autoimmune conditions, mast cell activation disorder -- so you may want to rule all these out as well.

Posted Sep 27, 2020 by Rebecca St. Martin 3570

You need to see either a chronic care specialist, environmental doctor or someone listed as an mcs specialist.
These people are not easy to find.

Posted Nov 12, 2020 by shelley 3650

When I became ill in 1990 there were Environmental Illness doctors that I went to. Theron Randolph (deceased) and Dr. Rea (deceased). Dr. Rea's Environmental Health Center is still open in Dallas, TX. I have researched MCS or EI doctors today and cannot find one to go to. You know you have MCS when you begin reacting to things that never bothered you before. Your symptoms might be headaches, bloating, gas, trouble breathing, anxiety and many other symptoms. Going to an EI doctor confirms MCS by your symptoms. At Dr. Rea's clinic, they do a lot of allergy testing and allergy shots. I went to Dr. Rea's Clinic over 25 years ago so cannot comment on what they do now for MCS. As far as I know, there is nothing that can be done except staying away from the chemicals. I am still looking for an answer. Prozac and Klonopin helped me for a long period of time, but stopped working.

In the past three years since I became quite ill again, I am going to allergists/immunologists, neurologists, psychistrists, ENT's, Internists, GI doctors, and Functional Medicine doctors, but really none of them know how to help me. They want me to try many different pills for the migraines and IBS. The two functional medicine doctors, were extremely expensive, and helped me the least. They wanted me to take loads of supplements that I could not tolerate. I am still looking for doctors to help me. Maybe other people have had good luck with Functional Medicine doctors, but for me, they were not helpful. There are no tests that I know of for MCS.

Posted Feb 21, 2021 by Christi 2350

Through a homeopathic or natural doctor with questions about symptoms

Posted Jul 24, 2021 by Serenity 2500

There is no formal testing. MCS is diagnosed based on medical history. Environmental MDs, Functional MDs, Integrative MDs, and Naturopathic MDs are more likely to be familiar with MCS.

Posted Nov 11, 2021 by kola05 2620

I was diagnosed by a EFT and muscle testing specialist, she saved my life and answered life long questions about why I tended to feel bad most of the time.

Posted Nov 3, 2022 by Eduardo 1700