Multiple Chemical Sensitivty

Surfing the Web I have come across several sites devoted to a condition usually know as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Some of these sites are a bit cranky, devoted to alternative medicine or even religious, but the general description of this condition is that of a sensitivity caused by exposure to one particular chemical which later broadens to reactions to other related chemicals or even those in other groups. The description of symptoms is very wide but seems to fit my history quite well. There appear to be a growing number of people suffering from these or similar symptoms and possible causes. Do you think such a condition should be recognised as a possible diagnosis? As you know, patients like to have a name for their condition. Is there any way of reversing or halting the progress of the ever-increasing sensivities I and others are suffering even after withdrawal from the primary cause? I have been used to getting the secondary reaction some hours after the primary exposure but recently I have been getting what appear to be very bad secondary reactions without a primary exposure. This is very worrying. Could this be caused by my contact with these substances, especially quaternary ammonium compounds, by a route other than via the lungs. Searching the Web for benzalkonium I came across several references, some with your name attached, to the use of this biocide in dairies. Is there any evidence that it could be finding its way into milk and other dairy products? Also, we draw our water from a well. Is their evidence of these substances in ground water? (even if we were on the mains it would probably still be the same ground water)

Occupational Asthma, Worker, 2/20/2006, 2/20/2006,

You ask very difficult questions Multiple chemical sensitivity is common if you use the term in its strict sense, i.e. reactions to different chemicals. Many asthmatics for instance have adverse reactions to perfumes which are thought to be chemically unrelated to their original allergies. (many contain biocides including benzalkonium chloride, bur also animal derived pheromones and all sorts of other things). Reactions to ingested agents with original inhalation sensitivity is recognised but is rare. For instance there is good evidence that bakers sensitised to inhaled flour can eat bread without problems. The situation with drugs is more difficult. There are some antibiotic manufacturers who are sensitised to inhaled antibiotics during manufacture who have abdominal, and sometimes asthmatic reactions to the same antibiotic when ingested. It perhaps depends on whether the agent can be absorbed without degredation or metabolism. The main problem is to know how best to respond to all this. Shutting yourself away often does more harm than good, and tolerance to a degree can result from continued low level exposure. It is sensible to avoid things which cause a true anaphylactic reaction, and to use simple unperfumed soaps for cleaning and washing. It is important to continue your regular asthma treatment.

2/20/2006