A misunderstood syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity significantly alters the quality of life of those who suffer from it. Marked by many symptoms, an intolerance develops against synthetic or natural chemical substances. Focus on polytoxicosensitivity.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome (MCS), or polytoxicosensitivity syndrome , is not officially recognized by the WHO (which, on the other hand, recognizes electromagnetic hypersensitivity), nor by French public authorities. A consensus, however, made it possible to define the contours of this chronic disease in the journal Archives of Environmental Health in 1999.
What dose of substance can cause hypersensitivity?
It is often exposure to a high dose of a chemical that marks the onset of multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome. In other cases, the onset is more gradual, after repeated exposure to a chemical substance at low doses. People affected by the syndrome are highly reactive to the offending chemical. In other words, sometimes a tiny dose of a chemical is enough to cause symptoms. This is why we speak of hypersensitivity .
How do you become hypersensitive to a substance?
Exposure may be respiratory (perfume, aroma, gas, particles…), cutaneous (solvent, excipient…), or even digestive (food additive…). The state of hypersensitivity improves after removal from the environment that presents the substance in question. However, the symptoms reappear as soon as the person comes into contact with the chemical ingredient again. Subsequently, a polysensitization sets in:the person becomes hypersensitive to several chemical substances.
Why do people develop multiple chemical sensitivities?
Today, the mechanisms of multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome remain unknown, and it is impossible to assimilate it to a real allergy. The chemical ingredients responsible for hypersensitization cause an inflammatory mechanism in the body, without causing an immunological response comparable to that of an allergy. In the case of multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, we can then speak of pseudo-allergy to chemical ingredients.
For each substance, the body reacts strongly to doses lower than those recognized as being toxic:it is therefore not poisoning. Some hypotheses have been put forward to try to explain this syndrome:immunological, neurological, metabolic, psychological mechanisms, but none is confirmed. This chronic disease can last for years or even a lifetime.
Physical symptoms
Symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome are very broad and can affect:
Sometimes even a systemic attack , that is to say generalized, affects the organism as a whole!
Psychological symptoms
An important psychological component is observed in people suffering from this syndrome. Depression, anxiety and anguish are frequently reported by sufferers. However, it would be a consequence of the disease and not a cause:the impact of multiple chemical sensitivities on the quality of life is considerable.
Some patients can no longer bear to take public transport, do their shopping, or work in contact with the public, as they are so hypersensitive to the ingredients of perfumes!
There is no limit to the list of ingredients that may be subject to hypersensitivity. However, it should be noted that certain chemical substances, synthetic or natural , are often implicated in multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome.
Synthetic additives leading to hypersensitivity are highly represented. We find in particular:
These artificial substances are present in many everyday products:household products and cosmetics, perfumes and air fresheners, and even food products.
There are also many polluting particles and gases present in indoor and outdoor air such as volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx) or carbon monoxide (CO). Organophosphates in pesticides are also incriminated. To learn more, read our article on indoor and outdoor pollution.
Certain natural substances are also responsible for hypersensitivity. Lemon limonene is particularly used in the food, pharmaceutical and perfume industries. It can be allergenic to the skin and mucous membranes at high doses, and cause hypersensitivity in people with the syndrome.
A European directive proposes to limit the use of certain terpenes in cosmetics such as linalool, limonene and geraniol.
The latex from the rubber tree that makes up natural rubber is well known to cause allergies in some individuals. It is also responsible for chemical sensitivities. It is found in many products:gloves, condoms, toys, medical equipment...
Caffeine is also mentioned, it is found in exciting drinks such as coffee or tea, and in many energizing food supplements.
It would seem that ingredients of natural origin are better accepted by our bodies. The concentrations already present in nature could explain this better tolerance .
By replacing certain synthetic products, it would be possible to improve the quality of life of people with multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome. A study was conducted on a disinfectant product whose ingredients are only of plant origin. 84% of people affected by hypersensitivity to household products saw their symptoms improve after daily use of the disinfectant formulated with natural active ingredients .
Did you know that a 100% plant-based antiseptic foam allows you to wash your hands without attacking or rinsing them? Formulated under dermatological control, it is suitable for the whole family and even for babies. For more details on hand washing, read our article Stop winter viruses, we wash our hands.
