Treatment of environmental illness is accomplished according to primarily three modalities: a program of avoidance of environmental chemical exposure, special elimination diets, and neutralization therapy. Drugs are regarded as harmful synthetic chemicals that cause environmental illness. Nevertheless, patients are often instructed to take vitamin and mineral supplements, and some are treated with certain salts, such as sodium bicarbonate, to “neutralize” allergic reactions and with amino acids, intravenously administered gamma-globulin, or oxygen inhalation to relieve symptoms. Patients with a diagnosis of Candida hypersensitivity are usually treated with several drugs to eliminate Candida albicans.

The rationale for the treatment program is twofold: (1) to eliminate or reduce symptoms and (2) to “strengthen” the immune system. Avoidance of multiple environmental chemicals is universally recommended, often requiring a significant change in lifestyle. Many patients remodel their homes to create an “oasis” where they can feel “safe” from exposure to toxic chemicals. Some patients are advised to leave their homes, particularly if they are located in urban environments. Several isolated communities have been established in rural areas or trailer parks for patients with this illness. Many patients wear masks in public or even within their own homes.The elimination diet usually consists in avoidance of all food additives by the purchasing of foods in special health food stores. Patients are frequently prescribed a rotary diversified diet in which foods are rotated on a 4- to 5-day cycle.

Neutralization therapy, also called relieving therapy, is discussed in more detail later in this chapter.

There have been no prospective controlled clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of food and chemical avoidance with neutralization therapy. Finn et al attempted an unblinded evaluation of 21 patients who were treated by avoidance of foods and chemicals “when indicated” and by neutralizing injections for food sensitivity. The patients had a variety of illnesses that included asthma, eczema, irritable bowel, joint complaints, and psychologic problems. Eight patients given specific antigen neutralization reported improvement, but so did five patients taking benzyl alcohol injections used as a control. A retrospective review of 50 cases of environmental illness showed that after an average of 2 years of treatment only 4%improved, whereas 44% were unchanged and 52% worsened.