Tips from the MCAS community

Lots of people with MCAS react to environmental triggers. These are not always easy to detect as it can be difficult to work out what you are being exposed to at different times, especially if there are multiple triggers in your environment. Many people find it useful to keep a diary or journal recording suspected triggers and reactions to help identify individual triggers.  

The tips below have been shared by our wonderful community and are solutions which some have found helpful in managing their own MCAS symptoms.

Please remember that everyone will react differently, as we each have a unique set of triggers. When trying something new, please do take care and seek advice from your healthcare provider where appropriate. The information provided here is not intended to be advice, but reflects the personal experiences of some members of our community.

Gastro Symptoms

 

Lifestyle

"Avoiding foods that are showing signs of ‘turning’ have been of benefit to me."

"I find it i freeze bread so that it lasts longer."

"I have found that eating smaller meals helps me with digestion" 

"I try to stay hydrated with electrolytes" 

"I have found eating a low histamine diet have improved my symptoms' 

"Eating all-natural foods and avoiding additives has helped me"

"For me. Ginger & Peppermint are two good things to have on hand for nausea & stomachaches"

"I have seen an improvement in my symptoms when i lower my stress levels"

"I drink low histamine herbal tea during flare ups" 

"Rest is important for me in managing symptoms"

"I find eating lots of vegetables helps with digestion"

"I tend to choose cereal with fibre in it"

 

Medications/Supplements

"I use Sodium Chromoglicate to assist with inflammation" 

"I have found that Quercitin helps with leaky gut" 

"Vitamin D has helped to regulate my gastro inflammation"

"Liquid Benadryl helps me with nausea and vomitting" 

"I use Diamine oxidase (DAO) supplements to reduce my symptoms of histamine intolerence" 

"I take Pepcid (with meals) to help reduce heartburn and reeflux" 

"Antihistamines help to reduce the amount of acid in my stomach and therefore help me with reflux" 

The below are all available by prescription ONLY 

Famotidine (prescription only) 

Erythromycin (prescription only) 

Zofran (prescription only) 

Bladder Symptoms

 

Lifestyle

Avoid Nightshades 

Avoid Caffeine 

Avoid Cromolyn 

Low acid/low histamine diet 

Always use paraben free soap in ‘delicate’ areas 

Drink lots of water  

Marshmallow root tea 

Cammomile Tea 

 

Medications/Supplements

Vasopresson (prescription only)

Histamine Blockers 

Famotidine (prescription only)

Antihistamines 

Tylonal 

Binders 

Azos Tablets 

Cromolyn 

Quercetin 

Heart Rate

 

Lifestyle

"I find lying down with my legs elevated helps" 

"Lying in an unstimulated, dark room and deep breathing helps me" 

"Using a weighted blanket helps to reduce my anxiety and slow my heart rate"

"I find i feel better if i am well hydrated" 

"Maintaining a low histamine and low sugar diet helps" 

"I avoid drinking alcohol as it can affect my resting heart rate" 

 

Medications/Supplements

"H1’s and H2’s can help depending on if my heart rate is fast or slow" 

The below are all available by prescription ONLY 

Low dose of Clonazepam (prescription only)

Betablockers (prescription only)

Pollen Allergies

 

Lifestyle

"I avoid hanging washing outside" 

"I shower and wash my hair when i return home from being outside" 

"I use an air filter such as Hepa" 

"I find drinking lots of water helps" 

"I wear a face mask when i am outside" 

"I personally do not keep indoor plants" 

"I eat local honey"

 

Medications/Supplements

"As a drug free treatment, i use Haymax Balm" 

"I find Nasal douching with a Saline solution, such as Sterimar helpful" 

"I use Reactine, a Ceritizine based allergy medication"

"I used Nalcrom (Sodium Cromoglicate) to help reduce the symotoms of alergic reactions"

Itchiness

 

Lifestyle

Lying on a cold surface such as leather/vinyl sofa 

Cold compress/Towel in the freezer 

Spray bottle filled with refrigerated water or rice water 

Bathe in cold water or water with oates 

Standing on a cool tile floor helps reduce internal neural leg itch 

Body lotion (perfume free and free from additives etc.) 

Use the extra rinse option on the washing machine   

 

Medications/Supplements

UV arm and leg sleeves 

Crush an antihistamine tablet and add it to the body lotion/cream of your choice 

Lysine (for hives)  

Diphenhydramine cream 

Oral Antihistamines 

Vicks Vaporub 

IV Benedryl 

Hydrocortisone cream 

Menthol cream 

Headaches

 

Lifestyle

"I have found using a slightly heated eye mask helps to ease pain" 

"I find resting in a cool, dark room and hydration to be effective, along with deep breathing exercises"  

"I often massage my head, neck and shoulders to release tension" 

"I enhale essential oils such as peppermint" 

 

Medications/Supplements

"I use Rizatriptan to treat headaches and migraines" 

"I use over the counter pain relief such as Paracetemol" 

"I found Acculief (acupressure) to be effective, although it isn't for everyone" 

Regulating Temperature

 

Lifestyle

Scarves and hats  

A down gilet  

Hot water bottle at night 

Microwave hot neck pad  

Electric shoulder blanket 

Heattech long sleeves 

Allowing yourself an extra 15-20 min when going places so that you are not rushing  

Stay in the shade whenever possible 

Drink extra fluids 

Eat low histamine foods 

Wear a hat and sunglasses/ use an umbrella or canopy 

Coolibar shirts and masks 

UV clothing 

 

Medications/Supplements

Hydrolyte Tablets 

Flushing

 

Lifestyle

"I find sipping Ice Water helps to cool me down" 

"I use Ice packs wrapped in a towel or cold flannel" 

"I bought a Headache Hat (Amazon)" 

"I find taking a cool shower helpful" 

 

Medications/Supplements

"I use Zyrtec, a Citirizine antihistimine" 

Congestion

 

Lifestyle

Changing bed sheets regularly 

Dusting/Vacuuming regularly 

 

Medications/Supplements

Nasal douching with a Saline solution such as Sterimar 

Nasel Inhaler or antihistamine nasal spray such as Dymista, Vicks Sinex, Olbas Oil 

Quercin tablets 

Allegra D 

Hong Thai 

Brain Fog

 

Lifestyle 

Stay organised with a calendar of events 

Plan ahead where possible 

Make lists 

Drink caffeine before noon 

 

Medications/Supplements

Active charcoal 

Non-drowsy histamines 

Probiotics 

Joint/Muscle Pain

 

Lifestyle

"Open water swimming is good for me but for some people it can be a trigger" 

"I have a bath or foot soak with Epsom Salts" 

"Gentle Yoga/mindfullness can be helpful for relaxation of my muscles" 

"I find walking is helpful for me"

"Regular stretching helps me to keep my muscles and joints loose and flexible" 

"Sufficient rest/sleep has always been helpful for me" 

"Massage is good for me to relax my muscles"

 

Medications/Supplements

"I have found that taking Magnesium supplements has helped with some of my joint and muscle pain" 

"I use heat pads on the effected area"

"I use over the counter pain relief like Paracetemol"

"I have used CBD Oil/Gummies in the past to manage pain"

Recommended Products

 

Washing powder/liquid:

Branch Basics, Fairy Non Bio, Lidl all in one capsules, Daz, Surecare, Comfort Pure, Ecover Zero, Sheets Laundry Club Free & Clear, Attitude Unscented, Tide Free & Gentle, Fragrance Free Bio-D washing powder, Arm and Hammer Washing soda, Persil, Eco Leaf, Free and Clear, Seventh Generation Free & Clear, Zum Bar Soap – Indigo wild, Laundery Egg, 

Softener:

White vinegar, such as minime unscented, spirit vinegar 

Dish/Liquid soap:

Surecare, Ecozone unscented 

Cleaning:

Pure apple vinegar, Ecover 

Shower Gel:

Norwex Cloths, Faith in Nature – Fragrance Free, Aveeno, Shikai, Simple, Ingreendients body wash, Dove 

Soap:

Simple, Basic, Cetaphil, CeraVe, Seventh Generation 

 

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