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What is MCS?
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) has been described as the 21st Century disease. Pollution, chemical fumes given off by modern furnishing such as carpets, MDF furniture, paints and wood treatment even newspapers and magazines can trigger severe reaction.
MCS is a chronic condition affecting different parts of the body and usually occurs in response to a chemical exposure.
Although the mechanism of MCS is not understood, there are certain features common to most sufferers. It tends to occur in people with a tendency to allergies i.e. eczema or asthma or if allergies run in the family. People are generally well until at some point in their life they exposed to certain chemicals, either in one large dose for example coming into contact with the pesticides used for crop spraying if you live in a rural area, or in repeated small doses for example sitting next to the photocopier at work. Almost any chemical can cause this trigger although there are some that seem to crop up more often, formaldehyde, pesticides, disinfectants such as gluteraldehyde, glues solvents and paints
Quite often the initial exposure comes at time when the person is "under the weather " say after the flu or a bout of illness or even at a time of stress. This is enough to trigger the sensitivity and make someone ill, but they usually recover and return to work only to find that symptoms return rapidly if they are exposed to any chemical. As time goes by they find that they cannot tolerate even extremely low levels of chemicals, and even things that would not be noticeable to most people such as the smell of someone's perfume or deodorant become unbearable to them, and can make them ill for days
The symptoms of MCS can be extreme, breathing problems, nausea, sickness lethargy, joint and muscle pains, burning in the mouth and throat, severe headaches even feelings of not being able to concentrate and disorientation.
The kind of thing that would trigger a reaction is the smell from soap powders and fabric conditioners, new carpet or furniture, paints, plastics, air fresheners, deodorants and some people are also affected by certain foods and food additives .... the list goes on.
We have various Fact Sheets that cover MCS plus we have a very useful set of Handy Hints to help avoiding harsh chemicals for all your household chores. You can always speak to one of our helpline staff within the Chemical Sensitivity Division who are highly trained in MCS.
Please click here to see the prodcuts awarded the Allergy UK Chemically Friendly Award that may assist you in reducing your chemical load.