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Chemical Sensitivity
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Some people report that they react to chemicals in their environments and that these allergy-like reactions seem to result from exposure to a wide variety of synthetic and natural substances. Such substances can include those found in
- Paints
- Carpeting
- Plastics
- Perfumes
- Cigarette smoke
- Plants
Although the symptoms may resemble those of allergies, sensitivity to chemicals does not represent a true allergic reaction involving IgE and the release of histamine or other chemicals. Rather than a reaction to an allergen, it is a reaction to a chemical irritant, which may affect people with allergies more than others.
(extracted for Airborne Allergens: Something in the Air)
