Most people don’t realize just how common MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome) is thought to be—1 in 6 people may be living with it. It can easily be mistaken for mental health issues, and can look like this:

Several things you may encounter outdoors can trigger symptoms for people with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).

What may seem like a harmless leftover could contribute to a worsening of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) symptoms. Here’s why that leftover you trust could actually be causing you trouble—and ideas to help you stay ahead of it.

Considering a layered approach can be a helpful mindset for managing mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), as each component builds upon the others to create a comprehensive plan that promotes stability and long-term improvement. 

When people think of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), they often picture hives, a rash, flushing, or itching, but MCAS can exist without any skin symptoms at all.

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) can make it difficult to sleep at night for many different reasons. Histamine levels in the body follow a natural daily rhythm, often peaking overnight and decreasing throughout the day. For those with MCAS, a rise in histamine overnight can trigger symptoms and significantly disrupt sleep. 

With mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), recognizing symptom triggers is essential for symptom management, and can be tricky since they are not always obvious and are different for everyone. Symptom triggers I often see in MCAS:

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) symptoms are frequently misinterpreted as unrelated issues, when in reality, those issues can actually be overactive mast cells releasing chemicals like histamine that affect multiple organ systems throughout the body. 

11% of children and 6% of adults have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) has an estimated prevalence of 17%, although it is rarely recognized. It’s not uncommon for MCAS and ADHD to appear together. Let’s take a closer look at what recent research can tell us about this.