Resources

The broader of the two criteria sets in active use. Read alongside the AAAAI work group report below — the two admit meaningfully different patient populations, and which one a clinician applies changes who receives a diagnosis.

The narrower criteria set, requiring objective evidence of mast cell mediator release with a documented rise from baseline. The reference point for most US allergy and immunology practice.

Directly addresses the disagreement between the two criteria sets and what turns on it. The single most useful paper for understanding why sources on this topic contradict each other.

Practical review of the diagnostic workup and, importantly, of the conditions that present similarly and are more common.

The management review most of this site's medication entries lean on. Covers the stepwise mediator-blockade approach and where the evidence for each step actually comes from.

Broad background review covering mediators, presentation, and the state of the evidence base.

Network of European reference centres for mast cell disease. Useful for locating specialist centres and for following the research consortium's output.

UK charity focused on MCAS specifically. Publishes patient-facing resources and materials intended to be taken to appointments.

Canadian patient organization for mast cell disease, with region-specific care and emergency information.

US non-profit for mastocytosis and mast cell activation disorders. Maintains physician referral lists, emergency-protocol documents, and patient education material.

The primary registry, and the source this site uses for every trial status. Worth searching directly rather than relying on secondary trackers, which go stale without indicating that they have.

One of the most widely circulated low-histamine food lists, compiled by a practitioner from published research and clinical experience. Included because patients often arrive having already followed it, and because it illustrates what the 2021 review documents: several foods it groups as higher-histamine have no detectable histamine on analysis.