immunology allergic disorders
Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
Symptoms and Signs of Mastocytosis
Skin involvement is often pruritic in mastocytosis—whether a single mastocytoma or more diffuse disease. The following may worsen itching: Changes in temperature Contact with clothing or other materials Use of some drugs, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Consumption of hot beverages, spicy foods, or alcohol Exercising Stroking or rubbing skin lesions causes urticaria and erythema around the lesion (Darier sign); this reaction differs from dermatographism, which involves normal skin. Systemic symptoms can occur with any form. The most common is flushing; the most dramatic are Anaphylaxis with syncope and shock. Other symptoms include epigastric pain due to peptic ulcer disease, nausea (because histamine stimulates gastric acid production), vomiting, chronic diarrhea, arthralgias, bone pain, and neuropsychiatric changes (eg, irritability, depression, mood lability). Hepatic and splenic infiltration may cause portal hypertension with resultant ascites. 