Symptoms of mastocytosis vary depending on the subtype and can present differently across age groups and patients, even within the same subtype.37 For example, CM in paediatric patients usually involves minor skin-related symptoms such as itching, flushing (redness) or a burning sensation. It is generally considered harmless, with no recognised risk of anaphylaxis and a high likelihood of resolving by puberty.78 In contrast, adult-onset cutaneous mastocytosis, which is extremely rare, does not regress and carries a recognised risk of anaphylaxis.37,38,39
More broadly, symptoms of mastocytosis can differ significantly between patients regardless of variant.2,3 Multiple symptoms may appear all at once, which is sometimes described as an attack, flare or episode. These episodes may last from hours to days, and their severity and frequency can vary depending on the patient and the type of mastocytosis.37
General symptoms of mastocytosis may include, but are not limited to:2,3
- Skin – Facial flushing, itching, hives (urticaria pigmentosa), skin lesions, Darier’s sign, dermographism.2,3,4
- Cardiovascular – Low blood pressure, rapid pulse, heart palpitations and light-headedness or fainting.2,3,4
- Gastrointestinal tract – Abdominal pain, cramping, ulcers, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.2,3,4
- Respiratory system – Wheezing, shortness of breath and anaphylaxis2,3,4
- Neurologic system – Headaches, lightheadedness, fatigue and episodic cognitive function issues (brain fog)*.2,3
- Haematological – Anaemia.40
- Skeletal – Bone pain.41,42
*Acute episodes of mast cell mediator release and activation may cause transient cognitive impairment when accompanied by hypotension or other significant mediator effects. However, chronic or persistent brain fog is not established to be a direct consequence of excessive mast cell proliferation or activation, and alternative causes should be investigated.
Disclaimer: Symptoms of mastocytosis differ widely from patient-to-patient and may present differently due to pre-existing health conditions or comorbidities. It is critical that you seek urgent medical attention if you are experiencing any life-threatening symptoms or consult a doctor as soon as possible if you have concerns about your health or symptom changes.
For emergency medical support, phone Triple Zero (000) in Australia or Triple One (111) in New Zealand.
Disclaimer
Last updated: 12 December 2025
Please note that this information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, nor should it be used in place of consultation with a qualified health professional. While care has been taken to reflect current information based on reputable scientific source material at the time of writing, and TAMS will continue to update information periodically, omissions or inconsistencies may occur as scientific knowledge evolves.
