Have you ever heard of mast cell activation syndrome but thought it was the same thing as histamine intolerance? It’s not… MCAS or mast cell activation disorder is much more serious! Today’s guest dives into what are mast cells and will show you how mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is distinctly different and more complex than histamine intolerance. Though I have spoken about histamine intolerance before (I do see a lot of clients who struggle with this along with chronic hives and dermatographia), it’s important to know if what you’re dealing with is in fact mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) because of how it will impact your MCAS treatment plan. So, today I’m joined by the perfect person to talk about what are mast cells and how to deal with MCAS mast cell issues, Dr. Jill Carnahan! She is Your Functional Medicine Expert® dually board certified in Family Medicine for 10 years and in Integrative Holistic Medicine. She is the founder and Medical Director of Flatiron Functional Medicine. As a survivor of breast cancer, Crohn’s disease, and toxic mold illness, she specializes in searching for the underlying causes of illness through cutting-edge lab testing and personalized medicine protocols. Have you ever suspected or been treated for MCAS? Share your thoughts and experience in the comments below or join the conversation in my Youtube comments! In this episode: What is MCAS? (Why is it different from histamine intolerance?)  MCAS mast cell diet and environmental triggers Is there a genetic component to MCAS cases? MCAS testing + current diagnostic criteria for MCAS Mast cell activation disorder treatment options  Thoughts on feeling hopeless from chronic illness Quotes "Mold just has this deep predisposition to trigger our immune system to be overactive through the mycotoxins it produces." [09:09] “It can be a very mild case, but the latest research from the CDC says one in five adults [who] have long COVID symptoms, including mast cell activation.” [14:29] Links Find Dr. Carnahan online | Instagram | Facebook Dr. Jill's book Unexpected: Finding Resilience through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith and film Doctor/ Patient Healthy Skin Show 036: Using Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) For Chronic Skin Rash Conditions Healthy Skin Show 166: Mold + Histamine Connection w/ Dr. Jill Crista Healthy Skin Show 257: Itchiness + Histamine Intolerance - Why Am I Itchy? Healthy Skin Show 261: Chronic Hives: Why They Aren't Going Away Mast Cell Current Diagnostic Criteria (Consensus-2)