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Pediatric Mastocytosis (MAS-TOE-CY-TOE-SIS is a rare disease characterized by the presence of too many mast cells in the skin, and possibly other tissues. Mast cells are instrumental in mediating anaphylaxis, and children with mastocytosis are at risk to develop both provoked and unprovoked episodes of anaphylaxis. Pediatric mastocytosis may involve the bone marrow and the gastrointestinal tract, and symptoms in children can vary greatly from child to child. Basic treatment includes the avoidance of known triggers, having injectable epinephrine available at all times, H1 and H2 antihistamines to control itching and gastric acid hyper secretion, and a mast cell stabilizer. IV steroids may be necessary to treat progressive, severe bullae in infants. Many children may not complain of specific symptoms, may not be able to identify or localize a symptom, or may have every symptom while others may have very few.
     *The Mastocytosis Society

Causes

• It is not known what causes mastocytosis, but a genetic problem has been found in some patients.
• It is not usually passed on from one generation to the next.
• It is not contagious, i.e. it can't be caught by other people in contact with your child.