The causes of Churg-Strauss is unknown, however, it involves an abnormal over-activation of the immune system in a person with asthma. The symptoms are: fever, weight loss, sinus or nasal passage inflammation in the patient with asthma, and fatigue. Sometimes the asthma gets better as the syndrome intensifies elsewhere. Cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain may occur as the lungs are affected by vasculitis. Skin lumps, or nodules, may appear in the extremities. Diarrhea and stomachache may occur. The bladder and prostate gland may become inflamed. Numbness and weakness of the extremities may occur and if the brain is affected, seizures or confusion may occur.
There are two types of contact dermatitis: allergic and irritant. Allergic contact dermatitis results from a reaction of the immune system. The immune system overreacts to a foreign substance and is activated to produce antibodies against this allergen. The antibody is stored in mast cells. When they come in contact with the allergen, the antibodies promote release of chemicals and hormones called "mediators." The effect of these mediators cuase the allergic reaction, in this case an itchy rash. In allergic contact dermatitis, you have a skin reaction to something that has touched your skin at that site. The reaction does not occur the fist time you are exposed, however. Irritant contact dermatitis comes from coming in contact with a substance that directly damages your skin. Allergic dermatitis is usually confined to the area where the trigger actually touched the skin, whereas irritant dermatitis may be more widespread. The symptoms include: a red rash, blisteres or hives, and itchy or burning skin.
The cause of mast cell leukemia is unknown. The symptoms include: tiredness, lack of energy, shortness of breath during physical activity, pale skin, swollen gums, slow healing of cuts and bruises, small red spots under the skin, extensive bleeding from minor wounds, mild fever, bruise-like marks that appear without cause, aches in bones, knees, hips or shoulders, burning sensation in abdomen when moving, vomiting blood, bloody stools, nausea, unexplained weight loss, and changes in appetite.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the breathing of 100% oxygen while inside a treatment chamber, at a pressure higher than sea-level pressure. It has long been accepted as the definitive treatment for decompression illness. The treatment may be carried out in either a monoplace (one person) or multiplace (multiple people) chamber. The purpose of the chamber is to provide increased amounts of oxygen to the body.
Epinephrine injection is used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions. It works by relaxing the muscles in the airways and tightening the blood vessels.