Botulism and MCAS
- Megan McCue
- Apr 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 27
I wanted to put together some information about MCAS and histamine intolerances that can often be triggered by iatrogenic botulism. In one study, 62% of iatrogenic botulism suffered from NEW onsets of food and product intolerances (histamine reactions) in the months after poisoning. In my own Facebook Group Botox Adverse Effects Survey, about 52% of people surveyed reported suffering from a new onset of MCAS and/or histamine intolerances.
I personally did not suffer from MCAS or histamine intolerances, and thus would LOVE your input in the comments section below if you did. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about these conditions in order to provide sufferers with helpful and thorough information.
Contents:
I found this website incredibly helpful in explaining the difference between MCAS and histamine intolerance:
WHAT IS MAST CELL ACTIVATION SYNDROME (MCAS)?
When we are poisoned by anything, be it a virus, bacteria, mold or toxin (such as botulinum toxin), the mast cells in our body act as guards, and begin attacking the toxin. But because botulinum toxin is such a lethal bugger, these mast cells often work for months and months, becoming tired and dysregulated. This can lead to a condition called mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).
According to MastCell360.com, the most common signs of both Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine intolerance include:
Anxiety
Depression
Asthma or other issues with shortness of breath
Fatigue
Diarrhea or constipation
Headaches
Inflammation/swelling
Insomnia
Sinus issues like congestion or runny nose
Skin issues like hives, rashes, or flushing
Obviously, many of these can be initial botulism symptoms (nervous system dysregulation) as well.
The website further indicates:
"Unique symptoms that may indicate you are dealing with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome:
Anaphylaxis
Autoimmune disorders
Brain fog
Chemical sensitivities
Chronic infections
Difficulty healing
History of toxic mold exposures
History of Lyme
Sensitivities to light or sound "
Nervous system dysregulation (which is essentially what botulism is) can oftentimes cause MCAS. MastCell360.com writes that reaction time is an important clue to whether or not you have MCAS. Typically with MCAS, reactions happen within 30 minutes of exposure to a trigger, including certain foods, supplements, medications, and personal care products/cleaning products.
WHAT IS HISTAMINE INTOLERANCE?
Histamine intolerance is not quite as complex as MCAS; histamine intolerance is when the body is producing too many histamines, and begins reacting to high histamine foods.
According to DrBeckyCampbell.com, symptoms of histamine intolerance can include the following:
Headache
Itching
Flushing
Hives
Nasal congestion
Gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
Low blood pressure
Difficulty breathing
And causes can include:
histamine-rich foods
Certain medications, like NSAIDs
DAO-inhibitors
leaky gut and inflammatory bowel disease
hormonal changes
NEXT STEPS:
Figure out your triggers and avoid those
If you think you're suffering from MCAS or histamine intolerances post-Botox, pay close attention to foods (possibly high histamine) and products that trigger symptoms. Write these down in a log and try to avoid them as much as possible, at least for the first 6-12 months of your illness. People I know who suffered from MCAS have reported being able to slowly incorporate more foods/products after the first 12-18 months of their illness.
Here is a great list of low histamine foods: https://mastcell360.com/low-histamine-foods-list/.
Meal ideas:
Breakfast:
1. Smoothie with whole and/or coconut milk, low histamine fruits, egg yolks, coconut oil, almond butter, chia & flax seeds
2. Gluten free bread with almond butter
3. Scrambled eggs (if tolerated)
Lunch:
1. Soup with chicken/beef/lamb and veggies; gluten free bread or gluten-free ramen noodles
2. Salad with fresh/frozen fish filet/grilled chicken/steak strips and veggies
3. Creamy soups made with coconut milk (like carrot ginger or sweet potato)
Dinner:
1. Steak or roasted chicken with rice and low histamine vegetables
2. Fresh fish filet with steamed veggies and potatoes
3. Lettuce wraps with meat of choice
4. Lentil stew
5. Beef/lamb/venison meatballs
Oils: cook with ghee, grass fed butter, coconut oil, tallow, lard or olive oil
Snacks: rice cakes with almond butter, hard boiled egg yolk, low histamine nuts, veggies and hummus
Drinks (stay VERY hydrated!): coconut water, fresh juice, water, coconut milk, chamomile tea, water with electrolytes
Protein powder: Equip Prime Protein powder (made with beef and coconut milk; at first try a small amount to ensure you don't react negatively)
Switch to nontoxic products
I personally use the following nontoxic, fragrance-free products (all available on Amazon). I'm not affiliated with any of these brands:
1. Vanicream shampoo / facial lotion
2. Pure tallow or olive oil soap
3. Humble deodorant
4. Makeup from the brand Omiana or Toups & Co.
5. I make my own cleaning products with water/vinegar/lemon oil. There are tons of "recipes" available online for homemade cleaning products
6. I never purchase anything fragranced, including scented candles or fragranced laundry detergents
7. You can use the website ewg.org/skindeep to find new nontoxic products, or check how toxic your products are
Natural and OTC supplements to help with symptoms (these were obtained from my own primary care doctor, as well as support group members who suffered from MCAS) - Never start any new drug or supplement without the guidance of a trusted healthcare provider
Quercetin
Low histamine probiotic
Chamomile Tea
Stinging Nettles
Vitamin C
DAO enzyme if you have high histamine - Beef Kidney is a great natural source and can be found in pills on Amazon from the brand Zen Principles
Milk Thistle
L-Theanine / GABA
Alka-Seltzer
Claritin and/or Allegra
***NOTE: you may want to try 1 supplement at a time, for a week or so, before introducing new supplements. This way, you will be able to figure out which supplements/products (if any) trigger your symptoms. Be aware that many have suffered reactions after synthetic vitamins, including B Vitamins and Vit D. Try to get your nutrients from food or food-based supplements as much as possible, and supplement when needed under the guidance of a trusted healthcare practitioner.
AVOID alcohol, caffeine, and opt for low- or no-sugar food options
Work with a trusted healthcare provider to ensure your vitamin/mineral levels remain within normal limits, especially if you find yourself on a limited diet. Naturopathic doctors and functional medicine doctors can be great sources of information for healing from MCAS.
I personally follow the Weston A Price diet principles, and focused on eating an animal-based, organic diet (grass fed beef, wild caught fish, organic chicken, organic eggs, broth, etc.) while sick. I also took beef organ supplements (please note: beef kidney would be a wise choice for those suffering from histamine intolerances; liver can be high in histamine.)
This is a working document that will be updated as I continue to learn more about this condition. If you suffered from MCAS and/or histamine intolerances post-botulism, please comment below with any advice for others, including foods/products/supplements that helped your symptoms!
Here is a complete sample MCAS Treatment plan - generated by ChaptGPT and shared by one of our support group members. Work with a trusted healthcare provider when starting any new supplement regimen:
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