I Finally Started Treating My Mast Cell Activation Syndrome & Its Changed My Life

Since I was a little girl, I've always had very sensitive skin. I remember knowing this for the first time after my grandma and I played dress up. She put makeup on me and my entire face broke out in hives. And, as I got older, my skin sensitivities became more and more prevalent. I found out I was allergic to latex after putting on those "tattoo bandaids" (90's baby here!). Every time I would gently scratch my neck or arms angry welts would appear. I could even write words into my skin! This is a condition known as dermatographia, but it hardly ever requires treatment. As my family began to buy me costume jewelry we quickly found out I was allergic to nickel. And then I developed an allergy to sterling silver and anywhere it touched my skin it left me with itchy, fluid-filled blisters. Then gold started leaving rashes on me too. The only safe metals were tungsten and stainless steel. I remember my whole world fell apart when I realized I was allergic to colored eyeliner. My favorite purple and blue eyeliners began to make my eyes swell shut and crust over. As a teenager, I didn't think it could get any worse. Then, hand sanitizer. started making my hands rash and then turn a crusty brown. After I took certain antibiotics, I would break out in hives from my chest all the way up to my jawline. New deodorants and lotions made me break out with no rhyme or reason. My whole life we just chalked it up to have sensitive skin. My mom and sister had similar reactions, so it wasn't that weird that I did too.

Then, I was diagnosed with EDS and I was introduced into the world of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). I always thought there was no way I could have that. I had no known allergic reactions to foods. I figured I got lucky and was able to escape something! But, apparently, I wasn't looking into the whole picture. MCAS can cause symptoms anywhere mast cells are in the body. So, it's not just the anaphylactic reactions I was imagining. It can cause wide-ranging symptoms from wheezing, flushing, & hives to GI, gynecological, & urinary symptoms!

So, maybe my "sensitive skin" was just a little bit more than met the eye. I have had terrible GI symptoms since I was a teenager, I had constipation so bad it caused fissures, internal hemorrhoids, and prolapsing. I also had an issue with vomiting pretty frequently. This led my GI to order an endoscope and colonoscopy. Besides the injuries inside my colon, nothing showed abnormal on my tests. After researching MCAS, I asked my local zebra group what they would recommend for treatment. One of the main things suggested was Zrytec & Zantac regiment combo.

I went home and did my own research and it seemed like that was a pretty commonly prescribed treatment for MCAS. And, since those drugs are both over the counter I decided to give it a try! Before Zrytec & Zantac, I used to have to take Miralax every day, sometimes in double doses, or else I would be horribly backed up and in pain. But, I was always bloated and I had stomach pain when anyone would press into the lower half of my stomach. After a few days of the new combo, I no longer had to take Miralax and the pain in my stomach was gone! I went from going a few times a week while on Miralax to a few times a day while on Zrytec & Zantac.

I haven't been brave enough to put anything on my skin that I know I'm sensitive to. But, I've been on my new regiment for several weeks now and I'm definitely very happy with the results! Anyone with IBS or IBD knows it can be a serious disrupter in your life. So, I'm very happy I decided to take MCAS and research into it!

Happy Friday my dazzle! I hope this weekend brings peace & happiness!