Today is mast cell awareness day.

Along with multiple other conditions, I am plagued with mast cell disease & mastocytosis enterocolitis. Mast cell is when there is an overabundance of histamines in your body which creates allergic reactions to triggers. These triggers can be random & appear @ any time, or they can be specific. Common triggers for mast cell patients are fragrances & smells that come from perfumes, laundry detergents & softeners, air fresheners, lotions, cleaning products, & toiletries. If a trigger is determined, i have to do all I can to avoid it. The reason is because of the reactions that I may have. Reactions can be as small & flushing, nausea, & hay fever type responses, and escalate to be as severe as anaphylaxis. Every time I'm exposed to something I react to, my reactions get worse. So I risk the chance of having a severe reaction with each exposure. This also happens with products I use & tolerate. I alternate between items so that I don't eventually develop a reaction to the very few list of things I don't react to. I also have mastocytosis enterocolitis, which is basically my entire gi system's response to things it cant tolerate. My gastroparesis, dumping syndrome, & pots are often triggered by my mast cell. 

So if you read through everything, you can understand why I am so particular about the things that I come in contact. Those of us with mast cell live in a constant state of fear, not knowing of what we've touched, inhaled, or eaten could send us to the er. 

Treatment for this is not as easy a you would think. People tolerate them in different ways. My mast cell is not as typical as others, so I've been through 4 specialists who were not able or didn't want to treat me. Me & my team of doctors are pleading with another one to take me in. 

Mast cell is the reason I take so many antihistamines & allergy related meds. Mast cell is the reason I have a port; for iv benadryl & fluids because it was triggered by the surgeries. Mast cell is the reason I'm covered in hives, blisters, & scabs. 

This condition is not one that is easy to bear but I'm doing my best taking it one day @ a time