Treatment for Mastocytosis
What are Mastocytosis?
The disease mastocytosis is characterized by having more number of mast cells than that required by the body in various organs and tissues. This is more common in skin. The commonest form of mastocytosis is urticaria pigmentosa and this causes round/ oval macules, plaques or papules of color red-brown. The children are affected to the maximum (75%) whereas people in the age group of 30 to 49 years are affected next.
Mast cell is a connective tissue cell and it contains histamine, serotonin and heparin; these are reactions to allergy. Mast cells are useful for healing the wound. They also are supposed play some part in the blood vessels growth. For survival of human beings mast cells are required. If the quantum of mast cells is high mastocytosis occurs. If the mast cells are high on the skin then it is called cutaneous mastocytosis or urticaria pigmentosa whereas if it occurs in internal organs of the body it is known as systemic mastocytosis.
What causes mastocytosis?
Mastocytosis is caused by a hyperplastic response for any stimulus that is abnormal. Some people have excess mast cells and the reason for this is not known. Histamines are released from the mast cells that result in mastocytosis symptoms. The trigger for these symptoms could be heat or cold, stress, insect bites and medicines. The triggers are different for different persons.
What are mastocytosis Symptoms?
The mast cells release certain chemicals because of which changes occur in the body immune system; this results in symptoms of allergy such as itching, anaphylaxis and abdominal cramping. Depending on the location of the mast cells in the body the symptoms vary. If there are a large number of chemicals in the body, they might cause the following problems.
• Pain in the bone/ muscle
• Discomfort in the abdomen
• Prone for vomiting and nausea.
• Ulcers in the stomach.
• Diarrhea
• Wound in the skin
• Affected by faintness and low BP.
• Shock
How to diagnose mastocytosis?
The doctors will be able to diagnose cutaneous mastocytosis by looking at the lesions that are fixed and of color dark brown. To confirm they may send a small sample of skin to the lab. Systemic mastocytosis can be diagnosed by taking sample tissues form an organ. Sometimes you will find that the blood and urine contain high levels of mast cell chemicals.
How to treat mastocytosis?
The treatment for this is conservative and its objective is only to give symptom relief. The patients should avoid taking aspirin, codeine, NSAIDs, morphine, thiamine, alcohol, opiates, quinine, decamethonium, gallamine, radiographic dyes, procaine, polymyxin B, dextran, D-tubocurarine and scopolamine.
The following medicines are useful for treating the mastocytosis symptoms.
• Antihistamines against chemicals of mast cells.
• Medications that relieves intestine cramping.
If the mastocytosis is cancerous you may have to take chemotherapy and steroids.
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