Definition: Mast cells are an important part of your immune system response in asthma. When you are re-exposed to an allergen or trigger your body senses as a foreign invader, mast cells release an inflammatory substance called histamine that quickly travels through your body to fight off what it senses as foreign.
The symptoms you develop will depend on the part of the body where histamine is released. For example, if you breathe in an allergen through your nose you may begin to develop a runny nose. Similarly, your itchy, watery eyes, sore throat, dry skin may also be signs of mast cells reacting in the respective parts of your body. Finally, irritation of the airways may cause wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and chronic cough.
Mast cells cause symptoms in both the early phase hyperresponsiveness and late phase inflammation.
Medications like Nedocromil and Cromolyn Sodium prevent mast cells from causing symptoms in asthma.
