Conditions
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)
Episodes of flushing, hives, swelling, stomach cramps or wheezing that involve more than one part of the body.
About MCAS
Mast cells are immune cells that release substances such as histamine. In mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), they release these substances too easily, causing episodes that affect more than one part of the body at once, such as the skin, gut, breathing and heart.
Because episodes come and go, timing matters. Some blood tests, such as tryptase, are most useful when drawn during or soon after an episode and compared with a level drawn on a calm day. Clinicians also consider how symptoms respond to medicines that block mast cell substances.
Who usually evaluates it: Usually an allergist or immunologist.
What you can record in Selihc Health
- Each episode: when it started, what you felt and what might have set it off
- Photos of flushing, hives or swelling while they are visible
- Lab results with the time they were drawn, so the timing is clear
- Medicines your clinician prescribed and what you noticed after starting them
What only a clinician can do
- Ordering lab tests and reading the results
- Looking for other conditions that can cause similar episodes
- Prescribing and adjusting treatment
In an emergency
Call 911 for trouble breathing, throat swelling or fainting. Use your emergency medicine as prescribed.
The published criteria
Your summary organizes your records against these sources, for your clinician to review. What clinicians see
Mast cell activation: 2012 consensus proposal
Valent P, Akin C, Arock M, et al. Definitions, criteria and global classification of mast cell disorders with special reference to mast cell activation syndromes: a consensus proposal. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2012;157(3):215-225.
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This page is general information written for patients, not medical advice. Content is a draft awaiting clinical review.
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