Lourdes Salvador's Column ...Co-founder of MCS America discusses the latest Multiple Chemical Sensitivity issues.

Q&A: The Difference Between Chemical Allergy and Chemical Toxicity

 

by Lourdes Salvador

 

 

Q: What is the difference between a chemical allergy and a chemical toxicity?

 

A: An allergy produces hay fever like symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itching, nasal stuffiness, watering eyes, wheezing, and coughing. Allergy symptoms are generally regarded as different degrees of a nuisance. The symptoms are usually easily observable by a physician and therefore and easily accepted and diagnosed. Diagnosis can be confirmed with typical allergy tests for elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE).

 

The symptoms of chemical toxicity are typically neurological and include headache, extreme fatigue, dizziness, weakness nausea, disorientation, memory problems, slowed reaction time, peripheral neuropathy, sensory neuropathy, and personality/mood changes. Other symptoms may include respiratory difficulty, rash, burning sensations in the nose and mouth, and gastrointestinal disorders. Serious toxicity may result in impaired speech, seizures, stroke, and paralysis.

 

Chemical toxicity is not regarded as a nuisance, but rather a major life-altering crisis. Victims of toxicity will take extreme measures to avoid further exposure to substances which add to their toxic load and produce a multitude of symptoms as a result of toxicity induced cellular inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, malabsorption, and impaired detoxification.

 

The symptoms of toxicity are not easily observable by a physician and often seem vague and subjective as reported by the patient. The extreme measures taken to avoid further exposure often seem out of proportion to the person’s otherwise normal appearance and may lead to an incorrect conclusion that the person is psychotic, paranoid, or anxious.

 

Diagnosis is initially difficult unless the patient was poisoned on the job or has had a sudden acute exposure to a known toxic substance. Patients suffering from chronic low-level exposure to a toxic substance may not even be aware of the substance that has made them ill. Instead they may report illness when in a certain building or exposed to certain chemicals.

 

Typically chronic low-level poisoning cases include chronic environmental pesticide, mold, or formaldehyde exposure in the home or workplace.

 

Typical allergy treatments such as antihistamines and provocative neutralization don’t reduce the symptoms of toxicity. In fact, since the body is already toxic, antihistamines and other drugs often add to body burden and make the symptoms worse.

 

Through identifying and ceasing the source of exposure and treating the physical damage caused by the toxicant, symptoms from toxicity can be reduced and/or eliminated. A physician specializing in this area is recommended.

 

 

 

For more articles on this topic, see: MCSA News.

 

Copyrighted 2008 Lourdes Salvador & MCS America

 

 

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Comments (3)

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written by Sonia, September 18, 2009

I have worked in aviation for years as a cabinetmaker/finisher...I started having menstral problems and started leaking a bluish liquid from my left breast...I have seen a thousand doctors and no one can tell me why....do u know if this is related?

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written by Maff, September 18, 2009

Hi Sonia,

Many of the chemicals used in the manufacture and finishing of cabinets, whether for the use in buildings or aircraft, are what are known as "endocrine disrupters" - they mess with the functioning of your hormones. So, your work could certainly be connected to your menstrual problems. I'm afraid I don't know what the bluish discharge could be.

I'd advise you to visit the Aerotoxic Association website and perhaps email them with a query about this.

I hope you find an answer, it must be very distressing indeed.

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written by RitaD, May 29, 2010

Hi
I have worked in a hair salon as a hair colorist for 15 yrs.It wasnt until a yr ago that i started noticing chest and throat burning/heaviness.But it happens everythime Im around the chemical and the affects last for up to 3 days sometimes.Ive had chest xrays,and cat scan and the dr tells me my lungs are fine.Ive been put on advair and allergy meds but nothing helps.I know what I need to do is quit my job but because Im working only 2 days a week i thought it might not be so bad.Im so worried of the long term affects.Is there anything i can do to reverse whatever damage has already been done ?

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