Chemical Avoidance

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Chemical Avoidance

Treatment Reviews - Other Lifestyle Changes

Editor's rating

8.4

out of 10

Reviewed by:
Matthew Hogg
#1 Reviewer
View all my reviews
Friday, 04 May 2007
Average user rating: 0.0
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Avoiding exposure to chemicals that trigger symptoms is considered a first line treatment for those suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). Dr. Pamela Reed Gibson, university Professor and author of 'Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Survival Guide', surveyed hundreds of MCS sufferers regarding the effectiveness of treatments they had tried and chemical avoidance lead the pack. Environmental chemical exposures are thought to play a role in all the illnesses we cover on this site so chemical avoidance (or reduction at least) may be helpful for them too. How effective has chemical avoidance been for you?

Editor review : A must for those with chemical sensitivities!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful


Overall rating		8.4
Perceived Effectiveness		10.0
Lack of side effects (tolerability)		10.0
Ease of use		5.0
Value for money		8.0
Would you recommend?		9.0

I first developed chemical sensitivities after being ill with chronic fatigue syndrome for 8 years. It followed the usual pattern of progressing from a few specific things such as perfume and cigarette smoke, to practically every chemical product going. I couldn't use any of the usual household or personal care products and couldn't go outside or be near people without wearing a carbon filter mask.

After strictly avoiding exposure to chemicals for around 2 years I began to find I could once again tolerate certain things that had previously triggered symptoms. My reactions to triggers also became less severe. Almost as rapidly as my sensitivity to chemicals had developed it now disappeared. Although I cannot say 100% that chemical avoidance was the sole reason for this since I was experimenting with various other treatments, I feel that chemical avoidance was by far the largest contributor to my recovery.

I have only given 5/10 for ease of use due to the obvious difficulties that avoiding seemingly omnipresent chemicals presents, at least at first. It can be stressful and put a severe strain on relationships. From my personal experience however I would highly recommend this approach to any MCS sufferer as the effort pays off in the end.

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