Nerve cells, or neurons, are the communication highway of the body, sending rapid electrochemical signals that control everything from the smallest movement to the most complex sensory perception.
Whether you're reaching for your morning coffee or running a marathon, your nervous system is constantly working to ensure the body responds appropriately. Neurons also relay sensory information—vision, smell, touch, taste, temperature, pressure, and proprioception, which is the sense of where your body is in space.
But what happens when something disrupts this intricate communication system? In the case of people dealing with histamine intolerance or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), the relationship between mast cells, histamine, and the nervous system plays a significant role in the onset of distressing symptoms.
What’s the Connection Between Mast Cells and Nerves?
Mast cells, a type of immune cell, and neurons exist in close proximity throughout the body. These cells can engage in what's known as "cross-talk," where the chemical mediators released by mast cells can influence nerve function.
Mast cells store histamine and other chemical mediators, which are released during a process called degranulation. The process looks quite similar to the image to the right here. When this occurs, the chemical mediators released can contribute to inflammation and sometimes physical injury to nearby nerves (1).
Histamine, the primary mediator released during mast cell degranulation, doesn’t just drive typical allergy-like symptoms like itching and hives—it also affects the nervous system. The impact can range from minor discomfort to debilitating sensations.
Signs Your Nervous System is Impacted by Histamine or Mast Cells
If you’re dealing with high histamine or mast cell activation, you may experience a wide variety of nerve-related symptoms.
These include:
Pain
Tingling or crawling sensations
Chilling
Burning
Numbness
Tics
Itching
Dizziness or vertigo
Sensory sensitivities
These symptoms may occur peripherally (in your arms or legs) or anywhere throughout the body. For instance, you might experience pain or burning in your gastrointestinal tract or even your bladder and pelvis. Sometimes, these symptoms can feel like an itch under your skin, a crawling sensation, or the notorious "pins and needles."
Such sensations are classified under the umbrella term paresthesia—a condition often labeled as "idiopathic" when doctors can’t determine a direct cause. For many with MCAS, this diagnosis is common (2) due to the complex interplay between mast cells and nerves.
When no structural nerve issues are found, the ongoing irritation or injury caused by histamine and other mast cell mediators could be at the root of the problem.
The Nervous System's Reaction to Mast Cell Degranulation
When mast cells release inflammatory mediators, they not only contribute directly to nerve irritation but can also lead to long-term changes in how nerves function. This might be why some people with histamine intolerance or MCAS experience a burning sensation in their skin or unexplained sharp, stabbing pain anywhere in the body.
These mediators can also sensitize neurons, making them more reactive to signals that wouldn’t usually cause pain or discomfort. (3)
Think of it like this: your nerves are constantly sending messages to your brain about what's happening in your body.
But when your mast cells are activated, they flood the system with chemicals like histamine, which irritate the nerves. This irritation triggers those nerves to send distress signals in the form of pain, tingling, or burning—even when there’s no external driver.
Histamine's Role in Nerve-Related Symptoms
Histamine is a neurotransmitter, meaning it plays a role in sending messages between neurons. When there’s too much histamine in your system due to MCAS or histamine intolerance, it can interfere with normal nerve signaling. This overload may manifest as sensations like numbness, tingling, and even dizziness or vertigo.
These symptoms are not just uncomfortable—they can also disrupt daily life. Imagine being unable to focus on work because of constant tingling in your hands or struggling to walk straight due to unexplained dizziness. While these symptoms are frustrating, they are the body’s way of signaling that something is wrong.
Managing Nerve-Related Symptoms: What Can You Do?
If you’ve experienced nerve-related symptoms like tingling, numbness, burning, or pain it’s important to consult your doctor to rule out other possible causes, such as autoimmune or neurological conditions. That said, when mast cells or histamine are at play, there are steps you can take to address these symptoms:
1. Dietary Changes:
Many people with MCAS or histamine intolerance find relief by following a low-histamine diet. Avoiding histamine-rich foods like aged cheeses, fermented foods, and alcohol may help reduce the load on your system. Proper hydration and foods rich in DAO are dietary measures that help with histamine breakdown and clearance.
2. Mast Cell Stabilizers:
Additionally, incorporating mast cells stabilizing foods through nutrients like quercetin and vitamin C can further help.
3. Lifestyle Adjustments:
Minimizing exposure to environmental triggers such as allergens or chemicals, may reduce histamine release. Stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, can help keep your nervous system calm and reduce the likelihood of mast cell activation.
4. Medications:
In some cases, doctors may prescribe medications that help manage the symptoms. While these medications might alleviate symptoms, they often don’t address the underlying issues, and symptom resolution may require more comprehensive approaches.
If you find this kind of information overwhelming - we get you started on it with a solution at the bottom of today's blog. Read on.
What About Long-Term Resolution?
It’s important to remember that while medications can help manage the symptoms, they may not provide complete relief. Many people with MCAS or histamine intolerance find that their journey to recovery requires a holistic approach—addressing everything from diet and environmental exposures to stress management and nervous system support.
Nerve-related symptoms can be incredibly frustrating, especially when the root cause seems elusive. But understanding the connection between mast cells, histamine, and the nervous system can provide insight into what’s happening in your body. Having the right support is critical for identifying the best strategies for symptom management and long-term wellness.
By adopting a holistic approach, you can work toward resolving nerve-related symptoms and improve your overall well-being.
Histamine Haven provides powerful tools for taking back control of your nervous system and overall health. Where to get started? Sign up for our next free Master Class we call The Histamine Connection. We run one every month or so, and we get you started on solutions right from the get-go.
Sign up for the next webinar here.
Plan to join us live, as it is always followed by a Live Q&A.
If you can't join us live - not a worry. We send out the replay link soon afterwards, and you'll have 5 days to watch it.
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