Mast cell activation syndrome is a rare disease that affects the immune system, resulting in allergic symptoms affecting more than one organic system, especially the skin and gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, for example, the person may experience symptoms of skin allergy, such as redness and itching, as well as nausea and vomiting, for example.
These symptoms occur because the cells responsible for regulating allergic situations, mast cells, are overactivated by factors that would not normally cause an allergy, such as other people’s odor, cigarette smoke or cooking fumes, so it can seem that the person is allergic to almost everything.
- Although there is no cure yet.
- Symptoms can be controlled with treatment.
- Which usually includes the use of antiallergic and immunosuppressive medications; However.
- Because the severity of symptoms varies from person to person.
- Treatment should be tailored to each case.
Typically, this syndrome affects two or more systems in the body, so symptoms can vary from case to case, depending on the organs affected:
When there is a more pronounced reaction, symptoms of anaphylactic shock, such as shortness of breath, a lump in the throat and severe sweating, may also occur. This is an emergency situation that should be treated as quickly as possible in the hospital, even if treatment for the syndrome is already underway. Learn more about the signs of anaphylactic shock and what to do.
Treatment of mast cell activation syndrome is done to relieve symptoms and prevent their onset so often, so it should be adapted to each person, however, in most cases, it begins with the use of anti-allergens as a
In addition, it is also very important that the person tries to avoid factors that he or she has already been able to identify as causing an allergy, because even when taking the medication, symptoms may appear when exposed for a long time.
In cases where symptoms are more severe, your doctor may also prescribe medications that reduce the action of the immune system, such as Omalizumab, thus preventing mast cells from being activated so easily.