“You will think it is mastocytosis much more often than you'll actually diagnose mastocytosis.” — Dr. Matthieu Picard

Mastocytosis is rare, complex, and often confused with other mast cell disorders. To help clinicians cut through the confusion, Dr. Mariam Hanna welcomes Dr. Mathieu Picard, allergist and clinical immunologist, who has built a dedicated practice caring for patients with mast cell diseases. Together, they explore what physicians need to know about diagnosis, monitoring, and management.

On this episode:

• Adults: Around 80% of adults with skin lesions have systemic mastocytosis, and the disease typically persists.
• Children: Pediatric cases are almost always cutaneous and often resolve by puberty.
• When to order a tryptase — and why a normal result doesn’t rule out systemic disease
• The role of KIT D816V mutation testing and why biopsy technique matters
• Key risks to monitor in indolent systemic mastocytosis: anaphylaxis, osteoporosis, and rare progression to advanced disease
• Practical tips for patient care, including venom immunotherapy considerations, osteoporosis screening, and symptom control strategies

Mastocytosis may be rare, but it doesn’t take uncommon skill to spot — just the right tools, a sharp eye, and maybe a tongue depressor scratched five times.

Visit the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Find an allergist using our helpful tool

Find Dr. Hanna on X, previously Twitter, @PedsAllergyDoc or CSACI @CSACI_ca

The Allergist is produced for CSACI by PodCraft Productions