ODE TO A MAST CELL
Cytokine storm rages, histamine release
Multi biological reactions that never cease
Swelling, blisters, itching, redness and pain
Genetically based, the cycle erupts again
Nowhere to go, nothing helps, sleep deprived due to painful welts
A hidden agenda from cells deep within,
For the hypermobile community another battle to have to win
What is a mast cell?
Simply put, mast cells are found in our bodies, in the connective tissues in our skin and mucous areas. These are our ‘allergy’ cells, and the first responders to perceived and real attacks on the body. They are a very important part of our immune system for dangerous diseases, injuries, or infections. For some of us, mast cells can lead to over-sensitivity and over-reaction, thus releasing too much histamine alongside other chemicals. This is called de-granulation. Histamine combined with other chemicals allow the blood flow to increase to the area of infection or injury thereby swarming to counteract the danger to the rest of the body which can build up to a storm, termed a cytokine storm. This, unfortunately, leads to less blood flow for good functioning of local organs.
How mast cells affect you
If you are sensitive to pollen, you may suffer from hay fever seasonally in spring, drippy nose syndrome called rhinitis which makes your nose runny and makes you feel like you need to blow it, and at other times the nose is stuffy and you might be constantly sneezing or even wheezing (i.e, pseudo asthma). If this gets more severe, the throat might close up and panic ensues. Itchy eyes to hot burning orbs for eyes which can also stream with tears.
Common symptoms :
The environment and stress factors can also impact on our sensitive physiology and this in turn may lead to mcas flares. Other factors are temperature, water, foods, illness, injuries, perfumes and medications.
Our skin becomes itchy with rashes or hives and can sometimes swell up in different areas or whole limbs, and this is called angioedema and varies in severity. For others it can lead to severe pain in the stomach and belly, and even fever, vomiting, bloating, wind, constipation, or diarrhoea.
Blood pressure can drop leading to racing heart, as if we had just run for our lives from an incensed beast, with adrenaline, other enzymes, hormones and chemicals overexerting themselves which can lead to increased palpitations and can also cause brain fog and dizziness.
Blood pressure drops
Flushing
Hot and itchy skin surface, hives wheals
Streaming nasal fluids, eyes
Swelling under skin from fluid (angiodeoma) feels heavy
Constipation / Diarrhoea and stomach cramps
Coughing pseudoasthma
Feeling unwell
Tip # While part of the treatment for MCAS is using antihistamines and there are different types of antihistamine blockers which inhibit the histamine receptors. Be aware of your triggers. It might not always be seasonal, and can be induced by anxiety, food, exercise, temperatures, mould, alcohol (e.g., salicylates). There are also special creams to use topically on localised skin areas. H2 antihistamines are used more long-term. Stabilisers are medications cromolyn sodium and are good stabilisers for MCAS but this will be in line with a medical practitioner. During acute stages of unexpected serious attacks epi pens are needed, for example in the case of anaphylaxis.
Key words Neurodivergence Hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, HSD EDS, Autism ADHD Dyspraxia Neurodivergent allergies MCAS histamine Mast Cells antihistamines dysautonomia
Jane Green MBE
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