Chemical sensitivities

Chemical sensitivities mean that symptoms are being experienced in response to exposure to certain chemicals, which would not trigger adverse symptoms for most people, at least at low concentrations.

Common triggers for chemical sensitivities include pesticides, perfume and petrochemicals, like petrol and paint.

While common symptoms of chemical sensitivities are headache, cognitive impairment, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

Chemical sensitivities are recognized as a common symptom of ME/CFS, and some people react to so many substances that they also meet the diagnostic criteria for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

Symptom recognition

 * The International Consensus Criteria lists sensitivities to food, medications, odors or chemicals as an optional criteria for diagnosis, under the section C. Immune, gastro-intestinal and genitourinary Impairments.
 * 2018, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note ME/CFS patients can have "allergies and sensitivities to foods, odors, chemicals, or noise."