Mast Cells are plump little factories full of chemicals waiting to burst out of them eager to help with protection from infection and wound healing. Germans coined them mastzellen meaning well-fed cells.
These hungry little hippos are primed to get activated and release their contents. When over-activated though, rather than protecting us from infections, they cause disease. We call this pathologic mast cells activation. A harmless trigger induces a disproportionate reaction.
Most people with MCAS feel alone even though up to 17% of the population has it. We just don’t know it.
You’ll read a lot about degranulation. In a nutshell it is when mast cells (MCs) are triggered, they release different substances to help the body respond to a situation. First, within minutes, they quickly release stored substances like histamine and enzymes. After that, they start making new substances, including fatty molecules (like prostaglandins and leukotrienes) and proteins called cytokines and chemokines, which can either increase or reduce inflammation in the body.
Common Symptoms of MCAS (May Affect Multiple Systems):
Skin
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Flushing, itching, rashes, hives
Respiratory
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Wheezing, coughing, asthma-like symptoms
Digestive
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Bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, reflux
Cardiovascular
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Low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, dizziness
Nervous System
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Brain fog, anxiety, irritability, migraines
Other
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Sensitivity to heat, smells, or stress
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Anaphylaxis or near-anaphylaxis episodes
MCAS is a complex, often misunderstood condition that causes the body’s mast cells to overreact, resulting in a wide range of symptoms that resemble allergies—but don’t follow the typical allergic patterns. Diagnosis requires a careful clinical approach, and treatment is usually focused on symptom reduction and trigger management.
