Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
08:25
Contact Hypersensitivity as a Murine Model of Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Published on: September 26, 2022
Multiple chemical sensitivity and idiopathic environmental intolerance (part two).
Mitsuyasu Watanabe1, Hideki Tonori, Yoshiharu Aizawa
1Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, 228-8555, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
|March 25, 2011
Summary
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), or idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI), involves varied symptoms often triggered by environmental chemicals. This review covers its diagnosis, management, and related research for occupational and environmental medicine.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Medicine
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance (MCS/IEI) presents as a complex condition with symptoms across multiple organ systems.
- Symptoms fluctuate with exposure to low-level chemical agents and can be triggered by specific environmental changes or injuries.
- Despite a lack of universal definition by medical organizations, MCS/IEI is increasingly recognized in clinical settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance (MCS/IEI).
- To discuss diagnostic approaches, clinical examination, and long-term patient follow-up.
- To explore the role of physicians, current research on odor and treatment, differential diagnoses, and future research directions for MCS/IEI.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on MCS/IEI.
- Analysis of diagnostic criteria and clinical presentation.
- Examination of treatment strategies and related research findings.
Main Results:
- MCS/IEI is characterized by multi-systemic symptoms without a clear organic basis, linked to environmental chemical exposures.
- The syndrome's recognition is growing, particularly in occupational and environmental medicine clinics.
- Part two of the review focuses on diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment research.
Conclusions:
- MCS/IEI represents a significant and growing clinical challenge requiring further definition and research.
- Effective diagnosis and management strategies are crucial for patients experiencing these symptoms.
- Continued research into the mechanisms, treatment, and physician roles in MCS/IEI is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:36Types of Toxins
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
02:06Allergic Reactions
Overview
01:30Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions
Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...
01:30Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity, also known as a hypersensitivity reaction or allergic reaction, is a condition where the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Such substances, that cause hypersensitivity are referred to as an allergen, could be something typically harmless to most people, like pollen or certain foods.
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
01:26Toxic Reactions: Overview
When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
01:27Allergic Drug Reactions
Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing numerous...