Which are the symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

See the worst symptoms of affected by Multiple Chemical Sensitivity here

Symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a condition in which individuals experience a range of symptoms when exposed to various chemicals in the environment. These symptoms can be debilitating and significantly impact a person's quality of life. While the exact cause of MCS is not fully understood, it is believed to be a result of heightened sensitivity to chemicals found in everyday products and substances.

1. Respiratory Symptoms: One of the most common symptoms of MCS is respiratory distress. Individuals may experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. These symptoms can be triggered by exposure to perfumes, cleaning products, pesticides, tobacco smoke, and other chemical irritants.

2. Neurological Symptoms: MCS can also affect the central nervous system, leading to a variety of neurological symptoms. These may include headaches, migraines, dizziness, vertigo, confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and cognitive impairment. Individuals with MCS often report feeling "foggy" or "out of it" after exposure to certain chemicals.

3. Skin Reactions: Skin reactions are another common manifestation of MCS. Individuals may experience rashes, hives, itching, redness, and swelling upon exposure to certain chemicals. These reactions can occur immediately or develop over time, depending on the individual's sensitivity and the specific chemical involved.

4. Gastrointestinal Issues: Many individuals with MCS also experience gastrointestinal symptoms. These may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and digestive disturbances. These symptoms can be triggered by exposure to chemicals in food, such as artificial additives, preservatives, and food dyes.

5. Fatigue and Malaise: MCS can cause extreme fatigue and a general feeling of malaise. Individuals may feel exhausted, weak, and lacking in energy. This fatigue can be both physical and mental, making it difficult to carry out daily activities and affecting overall well-being.

6. Sensitivity to Light and Noise: Many individuals with MCS also report heightened sensitivity to light and noise. Exposure to bright lights, fluorescent lighting, or loud noises can trigger symptoms such as headaches, migraines, and sensory overload. These sensitivities can further exacerbate the overall discomfort experienced by individuals with MCS.

7. Emotional and Psychological Symptoms: Living with MCS can take a toll on a person's emotional and psychological well-being. Individuals may experience increased anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, and a sense of isolation. The constant need to avoid certain environments and chemicals can lead to social withdrawal and a reduced quality of life.

8. Multiple System Involvement: MCS is a multi-system condition, meaning it can affect various organs and systems in the body. Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, individuals may also experience cardiovascular symptoms (such as palpitations and rapid heart rate), musculoskeletal symptoms (such as joint pain and muscle aches), and immune system dysregulation.

It is important to note that the severity and specific symptoms of MCS can vary greatly from person to person. Some individuals may only experience mild symptoms, while others may be severely affected. Additionally, the triggers for MCS can differ, with certain individuals being more sensitive to specific chemicals or substances.

If you suspect you may have MCS, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional who specializes in environmental medicine or toxicology. They can help diagnose the condition, identify triggers, and develop a personalized management plan to minimize exposure and alleviate symptoms.

Diseasemaps

For me, the worst symptom of MCS is not breathing/asthma attacks. Migraines, muscle weakness, upset stomach/digestive issues, brain fog are other symptoms I have. Sometimes they don't show for days after an exposure.

Posted Mar 30, 2017 by KilkennyGirl 1000

Im very lucky, as I only get skin reactions and nothing more serious. However, Ive had situations in the last 15 years where just simply in the same room with certain chemicals resulted in a head to toe skin rash that turned my skin into leather. Very painful.

Posted Oct 9, 2017 by Andrew 1300

The worst symptoms for me are not being able to breathe, neurological impairment, brain fog, dizziness and speech impairment. For others, headaches are quite bad.

Posted Oct 24, 2017 by Paul 3000

Toxic Encephalopathy, or "Cranium Cracking Brain Pain" is definitely one of the worst. But I think I have to give the top slot to the "Ice Pick, Front and Back." It feels as though someone is stabbing you with an icepick in the sternum and spine and leveraging them apart. Its a lymph and porphyria issue caused by glutathione deficiency.

Posted Oct 27, 2017 by JLMcK 5550

Fear, anxiety, and personality changes. Also pain, fogginess, and fatigue.

Posted Oct 28, 2017 by Katya 1042

Restriction of oxygen to the brain

Posted Oct 30, 2017 by Diane 600

Respiratory problems, nausea, headaches, vomiting, rashes, brain fog, memory loss...too many to list and everyone experiences the symptoms differently.

Posted Dec 21, 2017 by Candace 800

The symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity are very diverse and can affect any system in the body. They can include migraines and other headaches, rashes, difficulty breathing, neurological symptoms including seizures, brain fog, difficulty sleeping, digestive issues. In short, the list of possible symptoms is long and varies from person to person.

Posted Jan 3, 2018 by Willow 200

Total avoidance of chemicals in food air environment

Posted May 2, 2018 by Dayna 100

Not being able to open my house up.
Tasting the fragrances that i hate.

Posted Jul 7, 2018 by vicci gates 700

My worse symptom has to be the brain fog which creates confusion, inability to find words and anxiety. The next one would have to be the agitation and anger. The third is just feeling off all over.

Posted Oct 28, 2018 by Cathy 100

Diversified reactions when exposed to certain chemicals in the environment.

Posted Jan 6, 2019 by Cindi 3050

MCS affects the neurological and central nervous system, endocrine, immune, cardiovascular, reproductive, gastrointestinal, respiratory, muscular and also can affect individuals in the form of rashes, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to sound and light and migraines. As each symptom is a result of the body trying to eliminate the toxins all symptoms are both good and bad.

Posted Mar 26, 2019 by Sharon 1300

Remove all artificial toxins from public places. I am unable even to go in an ambulance let alone a hospital. No drugs help. The people must learn that artificial perfume will kill them if they continue to wear them. I am a prisoner in my own home. We need to stop adding unnecessary extras to products. If you wash your clothes why do you need perfume added? My clothes are clean so they smell of NOTHING. I get ill for 72 hours after exposure. I vomit and void my bowels. Just because someone wants to wear a poison to smell "nice".

Posted Apr 1, 2019 by Susan 2500

Head ache/ pressure, vomiting, eye irritation, anger, skin swells, air ways hurt.

Posted Apr 9, 2019 by MCSzombie 6220

Discomforts from expose to fragrance and other chemicals include lips burning, face rash, mouth irritation, weeping eyes, trouble breathing and coughing.
I cannot use daily products but must seek out suitable ones, and i have misery being near people who use perfume and heavily scented laundry products.

Posted Apr 14, 2019 by Vicci 200

Headache, dizziness, short of breath, sinus infections, bronchitis, skin rashes, lungs closing up, anger, overreacting. I'd like to be able to breathe freely in public. I'd like to not have to monitor scent in my clothing, my friends and family's clothing in order to have a safe environment. I'd like to not be sick so much of my time.

Posted Jun 4, 2019 by Heather 3000

It actually depends on the person but it can include itchiness, rash, difficulty breathing, lack of concentration, dizziness, headache, abdominal upset, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, adverse reactions to smells, intolerance of fragrance, clumsiness, and many others.

Posted Jul 21, 2019 by Trisha 1350

Anaphylaxis, burning skin, closed throat, sore throat, nasal drip, loss of sense of smell, loss of sense of taste, dizziness, fainting, blackout, loss of sight, visual disturbances, migraine, stroke, heart attack, water in the lungs, choking, seizure, spasms, convulsions, diarrhoea, constipation, heartburn, indigestion, gassiness, IBS, food allergies and food intolerance, memory fog, trembling, hot and cold sweats, dry mouth, palpitations, arrhythmia, vomiting, nausea, angeodema, swelling, swollen glands, skin blisters, rash, hives, urticaria, pins and needles, sensitivity to hot and cold, paranoia, aura, hearing noises and voices, depression, psychosis, emotional outburst, introverted, anger, confusion, hormonal distribution, early menopause, loss of menstrual cycle, disrupted menstrual cycle, loss of libido, bloating, ovarian pain, alopecia, brittle nails, vitamin deficiency, anaemia, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, ME, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, MCAS, EMF, muscle weakness, euphoria, manic episodes, claustrophobia, agoraphobia, panic attacks, anxiety, hallucinations

Posted Aug 22, 2019 by Carmen Rosemarie 2550

isolation caused by inability to breathe in most public places due to dizziness, chest pain, inability to think and intense fatigue

Posted Nov 18, 2019 by Angie P. 5000

Most common symptoms are fatigue and flu-like symptoms as a result of exposure to chemicals or fragrance. Some people experience the opposite, and may feel jacked up and like they cannot sleep.

Posted Dec 12, 2019 by Joanna 6200

Chemical headaches are most common, but mcs is a very diverse condition. Symptoms can include but are not limited to:

Headaches
Trouble breathing
Heart palpitations
Skin rash/ dryness
Swollen or soreness in salivary glands
Skin sensitivity

Posted Jan 24, 2020 by Tiffani 1300

migraine
joint pain
swelling
tiredness
agitation
depression
anxiety

Posted Jan 30, 2020 by Noeleen 2500

Every person’s sensitivities and symptoms are unique. They range from migraines to nausea to body aches ...some of use even experience our throat closing up or seizures when exposed to chemicals. The most limiting thing a person with MCS faces is the isolation that comes from this affliction. We have a difficult time functioning outside the safe environment we’ve carefully made for ourselves.

However most can agree that artificial fragrance is the big enemy we face daily and the first symptoms I would rid if possible..

Posted Feb 11, 2020 by Rheama 1600

Reactions such as itching, rashes, hives, burning eyes, headaches, sinus pressure, sore throat, coughing, nausea, digestive issues to severe as heavy sweating, shaking, chills...With exposure to common everyday products: fragrances, cleaners, personal care, pesticides, wood smoke.

Posted Mar 31, 2020 by Judie 1860

Respiratory distress, dysphagia, cognitive dysfunction, dizziness and loss of balance, migraine, severe fatigue, loss of muscle control, loss of speech, trouble word finding, depression, anxiety, insomnia, hypersomnia, irritable bowel (stomach pain)

All are limiting. I'd get rid of all of them.

Other people report loss of consciousness and seizures.

Posted Sep 27, 2020 by Rebecca St. Martin 3570

Fatigue, headache, dizziness, muscle weakness/no stamina, diarrhea, swollen mucousa and lips, itchy skin and eyes, joint pain, trouble in breathing and getting air, forgetting words and lack of remembering (dementia-like feeling), lack of focus and concentration, much of pain that painkillers cannot help against.

Posted Sep 28, 2020 by Michella Svane 850

Limiting- brain fog, hard to walk/ speak, inability to go out in public

If I could eliminate 1- immediate response, no time to get away

Posted Nov 12, 2020 by shelley 3650

I am severely reactive to common chemicals, (can't sit on my three year old sofa, can't sleep on a 10 year old mattress, can't buy new furniture), any smell gives me a migraine. Walking in a house with a basement (mold) or where people use scented products (detergent, candles, perfumes) causes immediate bloating and/or migraine. Cooking smells (migraine), fireplace smoke coming in from the outside(off the charts migraine). Can't handle any smell.

If I could, I'd get rid of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, which has ruined my life.

Posted Feb 21, 2021 by Christi 2350

Difficulty breathing, concentration issues, dizziness, fatigue, feeling flu like

Posted Jul 24, 2021 by Serenity 2500

Asthma and anaphylaxis are the most limiting symptoms in my life with MCS and unfortunately, my most common. Food sensitivities, fatigue, headaches, and brain fog are my mild symptoms. Joint pain is a moderate symptom.

Posted Nov 11, 2021 by kola05 2620

It presents differently in different people; also, the triggers may affect one person differently. For me, shortness of breath, brain fog, anxiety, some physical weakness, sneezing, irritability, hives, itching, could occur during / after an exposure.

Posted Jul 31, 2022 by m healthy 500

They vary depending on the chemical. Generally they go from pain above my ears, brain fog, short. term memory. loss, headaches, itchy. eyes, metal taste in my mouth, swollen glands, severe energy darinage.

Posted Nov 3, 2022 by Eduardo 1700