What is Mastocytosis?

Mastocytosis is a condition that is raised due to having too much mast cell in anyone's body. Mast cells are nothing but a kind of blood cells those are located beneath the skin, the linings of the stomach and intestines and connective tissues (like as cartilages or tendon). Mast cells are important to survive. They assist defending the skin, stomach, and intestines against various health ailments or diseases. Mast cells are also involved in healing of the wound.

What are mast cells?

As said earlier, mast cells are a kind of blood cells made up by body’s own bone marrow. They are part of the immune system and help the fight off any sort of microorganisms or their infections. There are more of those cells in the skin, the lungs and the intestines than in any other part of the body. Mast cells produce certain substances, one of them is to make chemical like histamine. Generally, this chemical serves as a kind of alarms to let the immune system learn that an infection is attacking certain area of the body. Histamines can produce swelling, itching and redness at the time of the body reacting to something such as insects’ bite or a bee-sting.

Mastocytosis – a brief history

Mastocytosis can occur at any age. Nevertheless, it is generally more serious in adults. It is usually milder in children and they often outgrow it. The condition was first described by E. Nettleship and W. Tay. Netleship and who narrated it as a "Rare form of Urticaria" in the British Medical Journal in the year of 1869. In 1877, the tissues of Mast Cells were identified by Paul Ehrlich. It was in the year of 1949, an autopsy by J.M. Ellis established that mastocytosis is also involved the internal organs.

Types of Mastocytosis?

There are two types of mastocytosis: cutaneous (skin) and systemic. There are couples of types of cutaneous and systemic forms. The most common cutaneous form is known as Urticaria pigmentosa. Urticaria pigmentosa will occur when mast cells get into the skin. This condition was first reported in the scientific literature in the year of 1933.

Systemic mastocytosis is induced by the accumulation of mast cells into the tissues. It can affect internal bodily organs like the liver, spleen, bone marrows, and small intestine.

What Causes Mastocytosis?

The exact cause of mastocytosis is not known.

What are the Symptoms of Mastocytosis?

The symptoms of mastocytosis differ from individual to individual. The symptoms are varying and they depend upon where the extra mast cells are located. Symptoms of mastocytosis in the skin feature reddened and itchy rashes, hives, and rashes that look like freckles or some lumps on the skin. Symptoms of mastocytosis in the stomach and intestine include diarrhea and stomach ache.

Other symptoms of mastocytosis involve abdominal cramps, bone pains, abdominal discomforts, nausea and vomiting, ulcer, loose motions, skin lesion and episodes of hypotension or shock.

Diagnosing Mastocytosis :

A doctor can determine if one has cutaneous (skin) Mastocytosis after routine inspection of the skin, there might be appearance of too many mast cells and in some cases, biopsy is advised to confirm any suspicions. Systemic conditions can be determined in a few ways such as bone scan, bone marrow test, and blood-work and also testing the urine. The high amounts of the fore referred chemicals in the bloods or urines are the way doctors can find out if one has the systemic type of this disease.

Treatment of Mastocytosis

The treatment would focus on the therapies and drugs that stop the mast cells to release histamines. They also restrict histamines from causing problems. If the symptoms are severe, one requires immediate attention. Antihistamines those are often used to treat allergies are helpful. If rashes bother you, a doctor might suggest that one must be treated with UV - ultraviolet light. If one is suffering from diarrhea, an oral version (taken orally or by mouth) of medicines called cromolyn can help.

The best treatment for mastocytosis is nothing but staying away from the things those seem to trigger the symptoms. It might help if you and also a doctor listing all the things those cause the symptoms. Questions such as did your symptoms start after one was exposed to heat or cold? Was there any heavy emotional stress? Did victim take any particular or certain medicines? Is there any insect bite? – They are really helpful and are to be shared with your doctor.

Because mastocytosis can produce severe allergic reaction in some people, it is a good idea to have an emergency kit with us all the time so one can give self-medication to stop that bad reactions.

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