Welcome back to the Bendy Club blog! This week, we’re diving into the topic of allergy management for those dealing with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Mast Cell Dysfunction (MCD). If you’re struggling with unpredictable allergic reactions, understanding how to manage your Mast Cells can significantly improve your quality of life.
Why This Matters
Mast Cell Dysfunction can lead to a wide range of allergy-like symptoms, making daily life challenging and unpredictable. By understanding the condition and learning effective management strategies, you can take control of your health and find relief from persistent symptoms.
What Is Mast Cell Dysfunction?
Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in your immune system, particularly in allergic responses. In individuals with MCD and MCAS, these cells can become overactive, releasing excessive amounts of histamine and other chemicals, leading to a variety of symptoms such as:
- Skin rashes, flushing, and itching
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Headaches
- Respiratory problems
- Anaphylaxis in severe cases
Effective Allergy Management Strategies
- Identify and Avoid Triggers: Keep a detailed log of your symptoms and potential triggers. Common triggers include certain foods, environmental factors, medications, and stress. By identifying what sets off your symptoms, you can take steps to avoid these triggers.
- Medications: Antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers can help manage symptoms. Over-the-counter options like cetirizine or prescription medications like cromolyn sodium can be effective. I have found that an antihistamine called levocetirzine (Xyzal) has been more effective at managing allergy symptoms in hypermobile individuals with mast cell dysfunction. Always consult with a healthcare provider to find the best medication regimen for you.
Supplements that stabilize mast cells can be beneficial for many. One supplement called D-Hist made by orthomolecular has been helpful for many of my hypermobile patients to decrease symptoms and the need for medications.
- Dietary Adjustments: Some foods can trigger mast cell activation. An elimination diet can help identify which foods are problematic. Also a basic low histamine diet where you simply avoid aged foods like aged cheeses, aged meats, and fermented foods can help greatly. For more information look into our previous posts on Mast Cell Dysfunction.
- Stress Management: Stress can exacerbate symptoms of MCD. Incorporate stress-reducing practices into your daily routine, such as mindfulness, and deep-breathing exercises.
- Environmental Controls: Make your living environment as hypoallergenic as possible. Use air purifiers, change out your air conditioning filters often, regularly clean to reduce dust and mold, and consider allergy-proof covers for your bedding. Also trying to limit fragrances in soaps, shampoos and detergents with unscented products can be helpful for some.
- Emergency Preparedness: For those who experience severe allergic reactions, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) is essential. Make sure friends, family, and coworkers know how to use it in case of an emergency.
Real-Life Strategies
Emily’s Experience
Emily, diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), used to suffer from frequent and severe allergic reactions. By keeping a detailed symptom diary, she identified certain foods as her primary triggers. Working with her we started her on D-Hist, Xyzal when needed and incorporated a basic level low histamine diet plan. Today, Emily’s symptoms are much more manageable.
Share Your Journey
We encourage you to share your experiences and connect with others on our social media platforms. By building a supportive community, we can help each other navigate the challenges of living with Mast Cell Dysfunction and find effective ways to manage symptoms.
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Thank you for being part of the Bendy Club. Together, we can make a difference!
Warm regards,
The Hypermobile Solutions Team
References
Home – TMS – the mast cell disease society, inc. TMS. (2024, April 13). https://tmsforacure.org/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Mast cell activation syndrome – about the disease. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/12981/mast-cell-activation-syndrome
Mast cell disorders in Ehlers-danlos syndrome (for non-experts). The Ehlers Danlos Society. (2022, March 15). https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/2017-eds-classification-non-experts/mast-cell-disorders-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-2/
Home. The Ehlers Danlos Society. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/
What is HSD?. The Ehlers Danlos Society. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-hsd/
What is eds?. The Ehlers Danlos Society. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/
Jovin, D., Atwal, P., Herman, K., Block, N., Maxwell, A. J., Mitakides, J., Maitland, A. M., Saperstein, D., Hamilton, M., Schofield, J., Koby, M., Klinge, P., McElroy, A., Bluestein, L., Chopra, P., Tishler, J., Pocinki, A. G., Varga, J., Dempsey, T., … Lane, K. (2020). Disjointed: Navigating the diagnosis and management of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders. Hidden Stripes Publications, Inc.
Smith, C., & Wicks, D. (2017). Understanding Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder: (previously known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type & Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, respectively). Redcliff-House Publications.
Cox, C. (2022). Holding it all together when you’re Hypermobile. Journey2Joy
Disclaimer
This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no provider/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.