Living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. How to live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

Can you be happy living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity? What do you have to do to be happy with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity? Living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity can be difficult, but you have to fight to try to be happy. Have a look at things that other people have done to be happy with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a condition in which individuals experience adverse reactions to various chemicals found in everyday products and environments. Living with MCS can be challenging, but with proper management strategies, it is possible to improve your quality of life. Here are some tips to help you navigate life with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity:

1. Identify and Avoid Triggers

Identifying the specific triggers that worsen your symptoms is crucial. Keep a detailed journal to track your reactions and identify patterns. Common triggers include fragrances, cleaning products, pesticides, and certain foods. Once you have identified your triggers, avoid them as much as possible. This may involve using fragrance-free products, opting for natural cleaning alternatives, and choosing organic foods.

2. Create a Safe Environment

Creating a safe environment is essential for managing MCS. Consider making your home a chemical-free zone by using non-toxic cleaning products, eliminating synthetic fragrances, and improving ventilation. Install high-quality air filters and consider using an air purifier to reduce exposure to airborne chemicals. Additionally, create a designated safe space where you can retreat when symptoms flare up.

3. Practice Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help improve your overall well-being and reduce MCS symptoms. Focus on eating a balanced diet consisting of organic, whole foods, and drink plenty of filtered water. Regular exercise, stress management techniques such as meditation or yoga, and adequate sleep are also important for maintaining optimal health.

4. Educate Others

Educating others about MCS can help raise awareness and foster understanding. Share information with your family, friends, and coworkers to help them comprehend the challenges you face. Encourage them to use fragrance-free products and be mindful of their chemical use when around you. By promoting awareness, you can create a more supportive environment.

5. Seek Support

Living with MCS can be isolating, but you are not alone. Seek support from others who understand your condition. Join local or online support groups to connect with individuals facing similar challenges. Sharing experiences, coping strategies, and emotional support can make a significant difference in your well-being.

6. Work with Healthcare Professionals

Consulting with healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about MCS is crucial. Find a healthcare provider who understands your condition and can help you develop a personalized treatment plan. They may recommend various therapies such as detoxification protocols, nutritional support, or allergy testing to identify specific triggers.

7. Practice Self-Care

Self-care is vital for managing MCS. Listen to your body and prioritize your well-being. Take breaks when needed, practice relaxation techniques, and engage in activities that bring you joy and reduce stress. Remember to pace yourself and avoid overexertion, as it can exacerbate symptoms.

8. Stay Positive

Maintaining a positive mindset can greatly impact your ability to cope with MCS. While it may be challenging at times, focus on the things you can control and celebrate small victories. Surround yourself with supportive and understanding individuals who uplift your spirits.

Living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity requires dedication and adjustments to your lifestyle, but it is possible to lead a fulfilling life. By implementing these strategies and seeking support, you can minimize exposure to triggers and manage your symptoms effectively.

Diseasemaps

I have eliminated chemicals from my house (ie- cleaning products, deoderizers, make up, hair/skin products, perfume etc...) I stay in my house most of the time because of pesticides and other chemicals in my area. I, hoever, do not let MCS stop me from travelling. I go places with clean air and fewer chemicals overall. I go no where without my mask and try to be proactive before going places (hotels, airlines...)

Posted Mar 30, 2017 by KilkennyGirl 1000

Nobody is happy, nor unhappy 100% of the time. When you are feeling the effects of MCS, it is easy to find more unhappy moments than someone without the disease, but when you are feeling better, the happiness comes with the ability to make the life changes needed to keep you at your best during the good times. Don't spend all of your good moments worrying about the bad moments and you can be happy.

Posted Oct 24, 2017 by Paul 3000

Happiness is a choice. When you have a chronic illness like chemical hypersensitivity, you have to choose to focus on the good things. Negative emotions produce biological toxic substances in your own body. It is imoerative that you put away your anger (even though its justified) because it will poison you. Look for things, even small things, that bring you happiness. Cultivate gratitude and appreciation. Both of those generate healing biochemicals in your body.

Posted Oct 27, 2017 by JLMcK 5550

Avoid chemicals, eat healthy, be safe, stay positive.

Posted Dec 21, 2017 by Candace 800

Really hard but not impossible. Everyday is a struggle. I think you need to figure out the house situation first. And it's the hardest, I think. I'm still struggling. Get rid of irritants, make a safe room that has nothing inside if possible, start figure out what bothers you. Move, if you need to. (But where to is the hard part.)

Posted Apr 12, 2018 by needinfo&help 1500

After my first descent into this- I eventually found a safe home and office. After changing everything I began to get better. Then I moved into a house modified for my and had 15 really good years. Then- a recent relapse has been hard. This time with a child I have had to be braver and give up all our home and things. I am taking this as zen as I am able and eternally glad that I got 15 years of mothering before this. Friends help. Touch helps. The ocean and hot weather help.

Posted Jun 10, 2018 by Katy 750

I am waiting to move as i am in a duplex and all my air is tainted by next door's products.
Avoid all products that irritate.
i use liquid fragrance free hand soap to wash my dishes, vinegar in the loo and to wipe bathroom mould, fragrance free sensitive soap and laundry powder.

Posted Jul 7, 2018 by vicci gates 700

Pacing ones self and doing ones best to avoid exposures, creating a safe place to recover from exposures, and being aware of all the things that can affect one with MCS.

Posted Jan 6, 2019 by Cindi 3050

Know your triggers and avoid them. Educate yourself. Ensure your home and family members be fragrance free. Giving yourself a “safe” place to detox is essential to maintaining your health.

Posted Mar 26, 2019 by Sharon 1300

Try and make your home your own haven. Refuse entry to anyone who won't understand and arrives smelling. Have long baths. Talk on the phone. Read books. Try and get out into nature. Try not to see how much time is wasted when someone you see for an instant makes you ill for the rest of the day ❤️

Posted Apr 1, 2019 by Susan 2500

It is very daunting. Do what you can to stay afloat and do what feels right and good. Relax.

Posted Jun 4, 2019 by Heather 3000

The best way to live with this condition is to avoid your triggers. You may need to limit the time you spend around other people, or in environments where your symptoms are going to be triggered or worsened. It can be very difficult and isolating. A strong support system is highly helpful and encouraged, though it can be difficult to maintain relationships with people who don't understand why you're always sick and why you can't do things.

Posted Jul 21, 2019 by Trisha 1350

Avoid contamination, refuse hand shakes, buy laundry machines. Refuse to enters spaces like theaters.

Posted Jul 29, 2019 by MCSzombie 6220

That’s like asking how to live with life! Get on with it! Don’t dwell in the moment, the condition is a condition, conditions change.

Posted Aug 22, 2019 by Carmen Rosemarie 2550

Dwell on what you CAN do, not what you cannot. Help educate those in your immediate circle with valid and tested groups and researchers that prove intelligence in your condition

Posted Nov 18, 2019 by Angie P. 5000

At least once a week, think about how this condition has helped you grow and brought something positive into your life. Try to come up with at least 8 things every time.

Posted Dec 12, 2019 by Joanna 6200

Like everyone else, but educated on harmful chemicals, and not having them in your home.

Posted Jan 24, 2020 by Tiffani 1300

Wow what a question. Its a dibilitating disease and isolation is key! Avoid public, humans, or anything that triggers your MSC. Strict rules in HOME! No FRAGRANCES whatsoever into home. Natural cleaning products (vinager, bicarb of soda, lemon, etc). NO visitors with fragrances allowed

Posted Jan 30, 2020 by Noeleen 2500

To put it as simply as possible - we must create a safe place for us to live and sleep. Removing all harsh chemicals and cleaning agents from the home. Remove carpet, curtains and new furnishings. Replace all personal products with organic one and eat as cleanly as possible.

Use SafeCoat to seal things you can't remove. Get a meter to check the air quality in your home and get an air filter like Austin Healthmate to remove what you can’t from the air.

To help with the isolation, I’m taking online classes and writting.

Posted Feb 11, 2020 by Rheama 1600

Very long and complicated question that completely depends on the person.

Posted Mar 31, 2020 by Judie 1860

Acceptance. This is a hard illness to live with since there are a lot of environmental barriers.
Validate yourself and your experiences.
Study yourself -- what you are exposed to and what you put into your body.
Resilience! -- DON'T QUIT. Keep searching for your own answers and for what works for you.
Try things more than once. Allow things to offgas awhile, for example, and then try again.
Change what needs changing: your home, your social circle, your products.
Develop prevention, decontamination, mitigation and remediated protocols. Learn to get chemicals out of new and used clothing and linens with powdered milk, airing them out.
Ask 1x guests to wear chemical safety suits, garbage bags, plastic shower caps or plastic single-use rain ponchos.
Ask friends and family (who see you regularly) to use safe products and to decontaminate their clothing before agreeing to meet in person or inviting them into your home. Maybe they can have one set of clothing that is decontaminated that they can change into for your visit together. (I ask my people to leave theirs at my home. I decontaminate it for them and then we leave it here at my house to help protect it from future decontamination.)
Commune with people who care about you and who are willing to accommodate.
Commune with other people who also have sensitivities.
Fight for your human and civil rights, but pick your battles wisely.
Remember that health is the first form of wealth and that EVERYONE deserves health, safety and dignity.
KEEP MOVING. KEEP TRYING.

Posted Sep 27, 2020 by Rebecca St. Martin 3570

It's very hard. I've had to change everything!
You need to find:
Frag free hair products, cleaning products,, laundry products, ect.
You need to learn how to properly read labels because of what biz are legally allowed to hide
You need to avoid people/ places that are not frag free, including friends and family

Posted Nov 12, 2020 by shelley 3650

There is no easy answer. You have to stay away from chemicals and smells. You can ask your family to use unscented products as detergents and cleaning products, which may allow you to visit them or them to visit you.

If you can, stay as connected as possible to your friends. Reach out to them. I find when you become ill, people don't reach out to you, maybe because they don't know what to say. REACH OUT TO YOUR FRIENDS. You can still be friends even if you can only speak to them on the telephone. DO NOT ISOLATE YOURSELF AS YOU WILL BECOME DEPRESSED. Stay as social as possible. Be good to yourself. Be grateful for what you have (I know, it sucks.)

Posted Feb 21, 2021 by Christi 2350

Keep the home free of chemicals, scents and toxic materials and room with others who accommodate these needs. Emotionally supportive others is important

Posted Jul 24, 2021 by Serenity 2500

Having a support network is crucial. If family and friends are willing to become fragrance-free, that is a huge blessing. Develop independent hobbies and find activities you can do in safe environments.

Posted Nov 11, 2021 by kola05 2620

Avoid chemicals at all costs.

Posted Nov 3, 2022 by Eduardo 1700