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Skin Disorders and Treatment
Acrochordons
Acanthosis Nigricans
Actinic keratosis
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Alopecia Areata
Anal Warts
Angioma
Amoebiasis
Aphthous Ulcer
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Dermatitis
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Eczema
Enlarged Pores
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Fordyce's Condition
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Freckles
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Genital Herpes
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Mastocytosis
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Morton's Neuroma
Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum
Paget's Disease
Pemphigus Vulgaris
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Pruritis Ani
Shingles
Tinea Versicolor
Tinea Cruris
Venous Angioma
Vulvodynia
Xerosis
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Mastocytosis
Mastocytosis is a rare disease in search of a cure. Mastocytosis is the term for a group of disorders caused by too many "mast cells". It is most common in children The most common form of mastocytosis (say "mass-toe-sigh-toe-sis") is a disease of the skin. In very rare cases, mastocytosis can affect other parts of the body, like the stomach, the intestines and the bone marrow. The presence of too many mast cells, or mastocytosis, can occur in two forms: cutaneous and systemic. Mastocytosis is a disease that causes facial flushing. Mast cells are cells of the immune system that are found around blood vessels in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and genitourinary tract. Mastocytosis happens irrespective of age. Among adults the effect of Mastocytosis is generally serious in nature. Mastocytosis can occur at any age. However, it's usually more serious in adults. Mastocytosis is usually mild in children and they often outgrow it. Some types of mastocytosis are systematic mastocytosis, cutaneous mastocytosis.
Mastocytosis Causes
It is not known what causes mastocytosis, but a genetic problem has been found in some patients. Symptoms may be triggered by cold or heat, certain medicines, emotional stress and insect bites. The triggers aren't the same in every person. It is not contagious, i.e. can't be caught by other people in contact with your child. Underlying medical conditions are other medical conditions that may possibly cause Mastocytosis. Increased local concentrations of soluble mast cell growth factor in lesions of cutaneous mastocytosis are believed to stimulate mast cell proliferation, melanocyte proliferation, and melanin pigment production.
Mastocytosis Symptoms
Symptoms of mastocytosis in the skin are: red and itchy rash, hives, rash that looks like freckles, or a lump on your skin. Symptoms of mastocytosis in the stomach and intestine are: diarrhea and stomach pain.
When too many mast cells exist in a person's body, the additional chemicals can cause
- If there are too many mast cells in your skin, you might have a red and itchy rash.
- If you rub the rash, it may get red and swollen.
- Sometimes the mast cells collect at one spot in your skin and cause one large lump.
- Chemicals released by mast cells can cause changes in your body's functioning that lead to typical allergic responses such as flushing, itching, abdominal cramping, and even shock.
- Other symptoms include epigastric pain due to peptic ulcer disease, nausea, vomiting, chronic diarrhea, arthralgias, bone pain, and neuropsychiatric changes.
Mastocytosis Treatment
- Antihistamines block receptors targeted by histamine released from mast cells. Both H1 and H2 blockers may be helpful.
- Leukotriene antagonists block receptors targeted by leukotrienes released from mast cells.
- Mast cell stabilizers help prevent mast cells from releasing their chemical contents. Cromolyn Sodium Oral Solution (Gastrocrom® / Cromoglicate ) is the only medicine specifically approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of mastocytosis. Ketotien is available in Canada and Europe, but is only available in the U.S. as ophthamic drops (Zaditor®)
- Treatment can stop your mast cells from releasing histamine. It can also keep the histamine from causing problems. If your symptoms are severe, you should get treatment. Doctors use several medicines to treat mastocytosis symptoms, including antihistamines (to prevent the effect of mast cell histamine) and anticholinergics (to relieve intestinal cramping).
- Proton pump inhibitors help reduce production of gastric acid, which is often increased in patients with mastocytosis. Excess gastric acid can harm the stomach, esophagus, and small intestine.
- Epinephrine constricts blood vessels and opens airways to maintain adequate circulation and ventilation when excessive mast cell degranulation has caused Anaphylaxis .
- Albuerol and other beta-2 agonists open airways which can constrict in the presence of histamine.
- Corticosteroids can be used topically, inhaled, or systemically to reduce inflammation associated with mastocytosis.
- A biopsy may also be performed. If mastocytosis affecting the skin is suspected, a sample of skin tissue is removed and examined under a microscope for mast cells. If systemic mastocytosis is suspected, a sample is taken from the bone marrow or other tissues.
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Skin Treatments