How is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity diagnosed?

Name: How is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity diagnosed?
Creator: DiseaseMaps Editorial Team
Published: 2015-07-09UTC08:41:07.0000000

How Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is diagnosed: tests, specialists and the diagnostic journey, told by patients and reviewed against medical sources.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is primarily a clinical diagnosis of exclusion, as there is currently no single standardized medical test, biomarker, or blood panel to confirm its presence. Diagnosis relies on a comprehensive medical history, the identification of reproducible symptoms triggered by low-level chemical exposures, and the ruling out of other physiological or psychological conditions that may mimic the symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

How is a diagnosis of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity reached?

Because there is no "gold standard" test for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, physicians must rely on a systematic approach. The diagnostic process typically begins with a detailed environmental and symptom history. Clinicians look for patterns, such as whether symptoms improve when the patient is removed from the inciting environment and recur upon re-exposure. Because the symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity are multisystemic—affecting the neurological, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems—the process is often long and involves excluding other diseases that share similar symptom profiles.

What criteria and tests are used for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

While no universal diagnostic criteria exist, many specialists follow the consensus criteria defined by researchers in the 1990s. These criteria suggest that for a diagnosis of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity to be considered, the condition must be chronic, symptoms must be reproducible with repeated exposure, and low levels of chemical exposure must trigger the response. Regarding medical testing, the following are standard components of the workup:

Exclusionary Blood Work: Complete blood count, metabolic panels, and thyroid function tests to rule out common endocrine or hematological disorders.

Specialized Immunology/Allergy Testing: To rule out IgE-mediated allergies or autoimmune conditions.

Imaging: MRI or CT scans if there is a suspicion of neurological involvement or structural issues.

Toxicology Screening: While rarely identifying the cause of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, these tests rule out acute heavy metal or chemical poisoning.

Which specialists diagnose Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and why is the journey often difficult?

Patients often face a grueling "diagnostic odyssey," sometimes waiting years for a formal recognition of their symptoms. This delay occurs because Multiple Chemical Sensitivity does not fit neatly into a single medical specialty. Patients are typically seen by immunologists, allergists, neurologists, or environmental medicine physicians. The frustration many feel is valid; because the condition is poorly understood by the broader medical community, patients are frequently told their symptoms are "all in their head." Seeking a specialist who is familiar with the clinical presentation of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is critical to ensuring your symptoms are taken seriously and that you receive an accurate clinical assessment.

What is the differential diagnosis for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

Before confirming Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, a physician must carefully rule out other conditions that may cause chemical intolerance or similar systemic reactions. These include:

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Fibromyalgia

Mold toxicity or chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS)

Psychiatric conditions, such as panic disorder or anxiety, which may be exacerbated by, rather than the cause of, the environmental sensitivity.

Next steps

Maintain a detailed "exposure and symptom" journal to help your doctor identify specific triggers.

Consult with an environmental medicine specialist or a neurologist who has experience with multisystemic sensitivities.

Join the 1,769 members on DiseaseMaps.org to share experiences and find providers recommended by others living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

Request a referral to an academic medical center if local practitioners remain unable to address your complex symptoms.

Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific health needs.

References

NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) - Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

Orphanet: Portal for rare diseases and orphan drugs.

American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) resources on chemical hypersensitivity.

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: Clinical guidelines on environmental sensitivities.

Author: DiseaseMaps Editorial Team

Reviewed against authoritative medical sources (NIH GARD, Orphanet, OMIM)

Last updated: 2026-04-07

Sources cited: NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) - Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. · Orphanet: Portal for rare diseases and orphan drugs. · American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) resources on chemical hypersensitivity. · Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: Clinical guidelines on environmental sensitivities. · WHO

Medical disclaimer: This information does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor before making health decisions.

Source: DiseaseMaps.org

Posted Mar 30, 2017 by KilkennyGirl 1000

You MUST see a physician that understands the disease, as most do not.

Posted Oct 9, 2017 by Andrew 1300

MCS is not usually diagnosed as such. It will be given diagnoses' of Asthma, Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS), COPD, Headaches, etc. While these are all valid, considering the symptoms, the difference would be in the triggers. When MCS patients are prescribed medications and inhalers for their treatment, there is a very real potential that the treatment will make the condition worse. Most physicians are reluctant to diagnose MCS as such.

Posted Oct 24, 2017 by Paul 3000

Western Medicine has a massive stake in denying the credibility of chemical hypersensitivity. Therefore there are no lab tests to determine if someone has this condition. A few practitioners have adopted a questionaire plus ruling out anything else. The majority of sufferers cannot connect the dots from their disease to the precipitating event. They arrived by the "low dose, repetitively, over a long time route."

Posted Oct 27, 2017 by JLMcK 5550

MCS is almost always self-diagnosed, mostly because doctors are generally not trained for it. There are few medical professionals, if any, who can help with MCS. I don't know of any formal tests.

Posted Oct 28, 2017 by Katya 1042

Witnessing how a patient is disabled by exposure to chemicals.

Posted Oct 31, 2017 by Diane 600

I got nowhere with doctors when it started.
I had to figure it out myself.
I have a GP now who is informed and works also in allergies.

Posted Jul 7, 2018 by vicci gates 700

Diagnosis is difficult due to the many factors involved and usually results from a close look at the persons reactions to various exposures.

Posted Jan 6, 2019 by Cindi 3050

MCS is diagnosed through a process of elimination. If the same symptoms can be repeated with exposure to toxins on a consistent basis and no other medical conditions are present, your doctor will assess you to have MCS. At this time there is no “testing” that can diagnose MCS due to its complexity of how it affects each individual.

Posted Mar 26, 2019 by Sharon 1300

I have no idea. It's not recognised in the UK

Posted Apr 1, 2019 by Susan 2500

By a MCS trained professional

Posted Apr 9, 2019 by MCSzombie 6220

By a doctor who knows what it is.

Posted Jun 4, 2019 by Heather 3000

There are no tests for multiple chemical sensitivity. It is most often diagnosed by the patient after realizing the being around certain things triggers negative reactions in their body. In fact, a lot of doctors may encourage patients to go see a psychiatrist because they believe it's psychosomatic.

Posted Jul 21, 2019 by Trisha 1350

Many people report of being diagnosed after years of ignorance and disturbing physical symptoms. There isn’t a test, scientists, specialists and clinicians are still missing signs of MCS and other debilitating illnesses in the same spectrum. The key to getting a diagnosis is you. Keeping a journal, documenting every reaction, every symptom, chronicling your journey, gaining insight and knowledge into your own health. Keep a file. Present it at every appointment you attend, it’s important! You may not get to see the same GP, specialist, consultant, psychologist, physician, nurse or clinician twice, do you really want to repeat yourself more than once, you may miss out points, miss out something that will become relevant in gaining your diagnosis. Having support in your journey helps when you do present the evidence to your physician. It’s distressing when you have all of these problems with your body and then to be told ‘it’s all in your head’ and be sent for psychological evaluation, which does happen in a lot of cases. Your key person will elaborate and collaborate on your illness in ways you don’t get to experience it yourself.

Posted Aug 22, 2019 by Carmen Rosemarie 2550

THis is changing - some believe blood shows pathogens/toxins. Using an environmental doctor or researcher is the only way as normal doctors have little exposure to this condition.

Posted Nov 18, 2019 by Angie P. 5000

If you really want a good diagnosis, go talk to a clinical ecologist. These are people who specialize in figuring out what triggers you and helping you stabilize and improve. Unless you audit your life and make some changes, you will probably revert back to your original condition. You are your best specialist when it comes to diagnosis; trust your gut and take good care!

Posted Dec 12, 2019 by Joanna 6200

MCS is self diagnosable, but can be confirmed by a medical professional. Thou know your body best. If you react to certain chemicals, avoid them.

Posted Jan 24, 2020 by Tiffani 1300

In my country I have not found one medical person that has a idea of the illness. But in other countries they do have. I was diagnosed in UK.

Posted Jan 30, 2020 by Noeleen 2500

Ive found the diagnosis of MCS to be controversial at best. Many health practitioners are hesitate to officially diagnose a patient. A natural path or enviromental doctor will diagnosis someone with MCS based on just their word and description of what is happening to them, but taking that diagnosis to say - Kaiser to try and seek disability - they will fight you.

A $500 allergy panel is sometimes offered (and not covered by insurance) and a referral for treatment with an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor if respiratory issues are a symptom. It’s important to be sure you don’t have asthma or other lung issues.

Posted Feb 11, 2020 by Rheama 1600

For me it was through symptoms, blood work (IgE IGg RAST) Allergy testing (Prick & Patch) as well as a visible slin condition - contact dermatitis. The diagnosis was Environmental Illness (MCS/EI)

Posted Mar 31, 2020 by Judie 1860

Seeing the doctor regularly and complaining about symptoms over the course of several years. I received my diagnosis after 3 years of complaints.

Reporting out and documenting the products and ingredients that are producing the symptoms.

Ruling out allergies (see an allergist)
Separating mental health diagnosis from other causes from ingredient reactions -- as some chemicals CAUSE mental health symptoms. (see a psychiatrist AND a therapist). Note when an exposure to something causes you to express mental health symptoms.

Possible diagnoses:
-idiopathic environmental intolerance
-allergy not otherwise specified

Seek a primary care physician who doesn't automatically attribute your sensitivity to mental health. Find someone else right away and don't waste time going back to that provider. Be mindful of gaslighting.

There are no tests for it that I'm aware of.

I notice that people who have a chemical sensitivity also have other conditions, like cancer, autoimmune conditions, mast cell activation disorder -- so you may want to rule all these out as well.

Posted Sep 27, 2020 by Rebecca St. Martin 3570

You need to see either a chronic care specialist, environmental doctor or someone listed as an mcs specialist.
These people are not easy to find.

Posted Nov 12, 2020 by shelley 3650

When I became ill in 1990 there were Environmental Illness doctors that I went to. Theron Randolph (deceased) and Dr. Rea (deceased). Dr. Rea's Environmental Health Center is still open in Dallas, TX. I have researched MCS or EI doctors today and cannot find one to go to. You know you have MCS when you begin reacting to things that never bothered you before. Your symptoms might be headaches, bloating, gas, trouble breathing, anxiety and many other symptoms. Going to an EI doctor confirms MCS by your symptoms. At Dr. Rea's clinic, they do a lot of allergy testing and allergy shots. I went to Dr. Rea's Clinic over 25 years ago so cannot comment on what they do now for MCS. As far as I know, there is nothing that can be done except staying away from the chemicals. I am still looking for an answer. Prozac and Klonopin helped me for a long period of time, but stopped working.

In the past three years since I became quite ill again, I am going to allergists/immunologists, neurologists, psychistrists, ENT's, Internists, GI doctors, and Functional Medicine doctors, but really none of them know how to help me. They want me to try many different pills for the migraines and IBS. The two functional medicine doctors, were extremely expensive, and helped me the least. They wanted me to take loads of supplements that I could not tolerate. I am still looking for doctors to help me. Maybe other people have had good luck with Functional Medicine doctors, but for me, they were not helpful. There are no tests that I know of for MCS.

Posted Feb 21, 2021 by Christi 2350

Through a homeopathic or natural doctor with questions about symptoms

Posted Jul 24, 2021 by Serenity 2500

There is no formal testing. MCS is diagnosed based on medical history. Environmental MDs, Functional MDs, Integrative MDs, and Naturopathic MDs are more likely to be familiar with MCS.

Posted Nov 11, 2021 by kola05 2620

I was diagnosed by a EFT and muscle testing specialist, she saved my life and answered life long questions about why I tended to feel bad most of the time.

Posted Nov 3, 2022 by Eduardo 1700