with all proceeds donated to:
uk.masto.org
Mastocytosis is a disorder found in both children and adults which results from too many mast cells in the body. Found most commonly in the skin, stomach lining, intestine, bones and connective tissue they play an important role in helping the immune system to fight disease and infection. There are several types of mastocytosis recognized in the skin (cutaneous) while those that also involve the internal organs are called systemic. Maculopapular Cutaneous Mastocytosis (MPCM) (formerly known as Urticaria Pigmentosa (UP)) is the most common cutaneous mastocytosis pattern and involves pink or brown marks on the skin. In children the spots can be small or large, where in adults they are most commonly small and are sometimes thought to be freckles.
Mastocytosis is caused in most adult patients by a genetic change in a protein called KIT on the mast cell which results in too many accumulating in different parts of the body. Increased numbers of mast cells show as pink or dark marks that may itch. There are different patterns of this rare disease and all types can cause anaphylactic reactions. The condition is estimated to affect one person per 10,000-30,000 people.