Physical health · Sanctum

Histamine and mast-cell reactivity

Flushing, itching, hives, and reactions to foods, alcohol, scents or medicines that do not behave like a normal allergy. Symptoms that come and go for no clear reason, and a body that often seems to react to everything.

This is the histamine and mast-cell picture, where the immune system’s alarm cells fire more readily than they should, and it is increasingly recognised as part of the same constellation seen alongside ADHD and autism. It is broader than ordinary allergy, and it can touch many parts of the body at once.

Because the reactions are scattered and inconsistent, they rarely get pulled together, and people are told their tests are normal while the pattern, real and exhausting, goes unnamed.

We look at the reactive, sensitive body as part of the whole picture, because it so often sits alongside the rest. None of this is a diagnosis, and we are not here to replace your other doctors. It is what we explore with you.

Written by Dr Asad RaffiConsultant Psychiatrist · Founder & Medical Director