Do you get Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance flare ups where your symptoms get worse at times?

Here are some things that can cause flare ups:

• Pollen and allergy season
• Mold exposure
• Pollution
• Fragrance exposure (like from walking down the detergent aisle or being around perfume)
• Eating at a restaurant
• High Histamine and/or junk food “cheats”
• Stress
• Getting too hot or too cold
• Injuries
• Medical/Dental procedures (like surgery, colonoscopy, dental work)
• Getting sick

My Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Flare Up from Braces

I recently got braces to help open my airway up. Hypoxia (low oxygen) due to airway obstruction is one of the root causes of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. So I’m working hard to get this root cause fixed for myself! If you’ve ever had braces, you know it can be a rather painful experience. It also sets off a mast cell cascade.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Cascades

When something like dental work happens, some of the mast cells will start to activate. This is a healthy and normal protective response. But in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, our mast cells go too far.

The initial activation triggers the nearby mast cells to also activate. Which triggers the next mast cells to active. And on and on it goes. Healthy mast cells have a good stabilizing mechanism that stops the snowball effect. But in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, the mast cells have trouble stabilizing themselves. This reaction creates a mast cell cascade.

Kind of like a spark in the woods that turns into a forest fire. When you have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, it is really important to stop that cascade before it gets out of control! And if you have Histamine Intolerance, you want to keep the mast cells managed so they don’t overproduce histamine.

Otherwise, a flare can start that lasts for weeks or months. This happened to me when I was in a car accident 2 years ago. I didn’t have a Mast Cell Activation Syndrome flare up plan. I got hurt pretty badly in the accident and also had a concussion.  

I had trouble thinking clearly. I didn’t go into action to do the things I know to help stabilize my mast cells. And the flare up was horrific. It lasted over a year, and it took me about 18 months to really turn the corner. If I’d had a Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Flare Up Plan ready, I think I would have recovered much faster.

I certainly have a Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Flare up Plan together now! And I hope you will make one for yourself too!

Making a Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Flare-up Plan

I had plenty of heads up that I was getting my braces. So I made a Mast Cell Activation Syndrome flare-up plan specific for mouth pain. I wanted to have everything ready early.

Once I’m in a flare, it can be hard for me to think of what to do. Have you experienced that? I’ve found that if I have a clear plan ahead of time, it is much easier for me to follow through. So I’ve detailed out what I used for my own Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Flare-up Plan and how you can create your own.

I prepped a lot of low histamine soft foods ahead of time so I didn’t have to worry about cooking. My favorites when my mouth is sore are Creamy Cauliflower Veggie Soup and Macadamia Nut Butter.  Having food prepped also meant I wasn’t tempted to grab high histamine foods that could make my flare-up worse. If you know in advance that you might have a flare up, I highly recommend prepping food ahead of time.

I also made a mast cell stabilizer supplement plan. For 4 days before my braces, I boosted the mast cell stabilizing supplements that work well for me. This was to minimize the mast cell flare from the orthodontic work.

Then I continued boosting those supplements for 5 more days. This was to help reduce the mast cell cascade effect. I was also very careful to keep my pain levels managed so the pain didn’t cause more stress (which can also trigger more mast cell degranulation). I used warm tea, frozen pureed fruit, and willow bark. (Aspirin is derived from Willow bark. For some, it helps stabilize mast cells. For others, it can be a trigger. Don’t use willow bark if aspirin is a trigger for you).

This article has a list of some supplements that have mast cell stabilizing effects. You can use it to start creating a plan for yourself. I really encourage you to have your own custom Mast Cell Activation Syndrome or Histamine Intolerance Flare Plan that you keep posted someplace you’ll see often. That way, even if you have an unexpected flare up, you’ll have a plan.

My plan includes:

• Pure Encapsulations Quercetin* or Integrative Therapeutics Alpha-Glycosyl Isoquercitrin*
• Pure Encapsulations Pycnogenol*
• Gaia Olive Leaf Extract*
• CBD Oil*
• Chinese Skullcap extract Baicalin
  Use coupon code: Mastcell10 for 10% off
• Mirica PEA*
• Epsom Salt* baths
• The Gupta Program for Nervous System Support: (use this exact link with the coupon code mastcell360 for $50 off)
• The BrainTap audio program a form of nervous system support. If you like this you can always upgrade to the BrainTap headset.
• Rebounding (to keep lymph moving)
• Gentle exercise
• MCAS Essential Oil Oral Rinse (see below)

Watch my Facebook Live on creating your own Mast Cell Activation Syndrome/Histamine Intolerance Flare Up Plan:

How to make your own Mast Cell Activation Syndrome/Histamine Intolerance Flare Up Plan:

1. Make a list of the anti-histamine and mast cell stabilizing supplements (and perhaps medications) that work for you
2. Discuss with your Health Care Practitioner which supplements are safe to increase during a Flare
3. Work with your Health Care Practitioner on how many days to boost those supplements
4. Work with your Prescriber on whether you can increase any medications during a flare
5. Make a list of your favorite low histamine/high nutrient foods
6. Make a list of your favorite stress relieving techniques (like meditation, yoga, etc.)
7. Make a list of self-care modalities that work for you: like Epsom salt baths, rebounding, gentle exercise options, etc.
8. Print your list and hang it somewhere obvious, like on your fridge
9. Make sure you follow your plan when you need it most!

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Essential Oil Oral Rinse

When I got my braces on, I went to a drug store to look for an oral pain reliever. All the over the counter tooth pain relievers weren’t an option. They all had either benzoic acid or eugenol from clove.

These are both known mast cell destabilizers. So, I didn’t want to take the risk. Instead, I made my own inflammation reducing and mast cell stabilizing oral pain reliever. I used coconut oil and specific essential oils known to be mast cell stabilizing and pain relieving.

This is my list that works for me. Always test essential oils on yourself in a very diluted quantity to make sure you don’t react. Please be sure to read the safety notes at the end.

Here is my Mast Cell Stabilizing Oral Rinse to support reduction of pain and inflammation:

• 3 Tablespoons of Dr. Bronner’s Organic Coconut Oil*, melted
• 3 drops Sacred Frankincense* Or Frankincense Serrata*
• 2 drops Lavender*
• 2 drops Roman chamomile*
• 2 drops Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum)*
• 1 drop organic stevia*

Mix all ingredients well, and store in a glass jar. Use 1 tsp and swish for 5-10 minutes. Spit out when finished swishing.

These oils were chosen for their soothing properties. They have research behind them on supporting mast cell stabilizing.

Frankincense is known for its pain reduction properties. Holy basil and Frankincense are especially supportive for mast cells. Lavender and Chamomile can help support inflammation reduction.

They also help soothe stress, along with Holy Basil. I use Sacred Frankincense. It is more expensive, but is also the most effective Frankincense. One bottle will last years. You can also use Frankincense Serrata instead.

You can learn more about the best essential oils for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance in this blog: Must Have Essential Oils for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Histamine Intolerance

This rinse can be used for any tooth pain. It can help support the reduction of unhealthy bacteria in the mouth in the case of infections. You can gargle it as well if you have a throat infection.

Important Notes:

Do not substitute regular Basil Essential oil in this rinse. It is a different species from Holy Basil and is too toxic for a mouth rinse. Also, use Roman Chamomile, not German Chamomile. German Chamomile is much too strong. Chamomile is in the ragweed family. Leave the Chamomile out if you are allergic to ragweed.

Essential oils are very powerful and potent. They can be really helpful in MCAS. At the same time, too much of a good thing is still too much. I’m trained in the Naturopathic use of essential oils. That training included a lot of safety information. Many people unknowingly promote the use of oils in ways that are harmful. So be careful about what you read online about oils!. Many oils are not meant to be used internally or on the skin. Some are histamine raising.

If you make this oral rinse for yourself – ONLY use Therapeutic Grade essential oils. Therapeutic brands include Rocky Mountain oils, Young Living or DoTerra. DO NOT use non-therapeutic grade oils on your skin or in your mouth. The vast majority of oils are not therapeutic grade and can contain chemicals that aren’t for topical or internal use. Just because an essential oil says it is organic does not mean it is therapeutic grade.

What is your Mast Cell Activation Syndrome/Histamine Intolerance Flare Up Plan?

Please share what works for you in the Comments below!

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