Facts about Mast Cell Disorders

We all have Mast Cells. Sometimes they are helpful, but sometimes not.
There are several kinds of Mast Cell Disorders. You can learn about some of them and how Mast Cells work at MastCellAware.com

Some of the more commonly known mast cell disorders is Urticaria or chronic hives, or Allergic Asthma.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Mastocytosis are less well known disorders which are in need of further research. Be sure to stop by the Awareness and Fund Raising page to learn how you can help make more research possible.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome is characterized by over active mast cells which release too many of the small particles within such as histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and can have all the same signs and symptoms of  Mastocytosis minus the over abundance of mast cells.

Mastocytosis is a disease that is characterized by abnormal growth and accumulation of white blood cells called mast cells in the skin. in internal organs, or in both. Therefore, Mastocytosis is a disorder caused by the presence of too many mast cells (overabundant, superfluous mast cells) in a person’s body. Both children and adults can develop Mastocytosis.

When too many mast cells exist in a person's body and/or are overactive and undergo degranulation, the additional chemicals can cause a number of symptoms which can vary over time and can range in intensity from mild to severe. Because mast cells play a role in allergic reactions, the symptoms of mastocytosis often are similar to the symptoms of an allergic reaction. They may include, but are not limited to:

Fatigue
Skin lesions (urticaria pigmentosa) and itching
Abdominal discomfort
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Food and drug intolerance
Olfactive intolerance
Infections (bronchitis, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis)
Ear/nose/throat inflammation
Anaphylaxis (shock from allergic or immune causes)
Episodes of very low blood pressure (including shock) and faintness
Bone or muscle pain
Decreased bone density
Headache
Ocular discomfort
Malabsorption

As with most rare diseases there are few specialists and research funding can be difficult to come by. Please visit the "Awareness and Fund Raising" page to find out how you can help.