White blood cells or WBCs are very crucial for your body’s immunity. They play a vital role in protecting you against invading parasites and bacteria. There are five types of white blood cells present in your body, and eosinophils are one of them. When we talk about eosinophils count, we are concerned about the amount of eosinophils in your body. A special blood test is conducted to measure the eosinophils count. If you have recently gone through this test and your eosinophils count is diagnosed as low, then you must be thinking about why this happened to you. In this oneHOWTO article, we are going to let you know what the causes of low eosinophils are, so you can find the underlying cause and treat it accordingly.
Extreme allergic reactions and its treatment
If you have an extreme allergy to any substance, you may show signs of runny nose, red eyes, shortness of breath, wheezing, persistent cough, skin rash, hives, swelling on face, tongue or lips etc. Your physician may prescribe you certain antihistamines to keep your allergic reaction under control. In return, some of these medicines slow down or stop the production of white blood cells in your body, because of which your eosinophils count can go too low. So, if you have been detected with low eosinophils and are currently taking any antihistamines to keep your allergy under control, this will be the most likely reason.
Steroids
Steroids are medicines that are known to have very strong anti-inflammatory consequences. If you have an inflammation, your physician may prescribe steroids to reduce your soreness, swelling and redness. Body builders and elite athletes may also take steroids, although it is illegal. Steroids can be taken in different forms, including pills, inhalers, nasal sprays, ointments, creams etc.
If you have been using steroids to treat your inflammation or to manage painful conditions like lupus and arthritis for too long, then your eosinophils count may come too low as a result. In that case, your physician may suggest you should stop or reduce taking steroids, depending on how low your eosinophils count is.
Cushing syndrome
Cushing syndrome happens when there is excessive production of cortisol hormone in your body. This is a hormone that the middle layer of your adrenal cortex produces. Signs of high cortisol level in your body include increased urination and increased thirst, calcification of skin, etc. Too much of cortisol can restrain your immune system, thus causing your eosinophils count to go too low.
Tumor of the adrenal cortex
If there is a tumor in the adrenal cortex, it starts producing too much of cortisol hormone in your body, thus leading to lower eosinophils count. Under this condition, you may be prescribed certain medicines that may further lower down your eosinophils count.
Other symptoms you will notice if this is the case are the following:
- High temperature, fever
- A lump will probably appear in the abdomen area
- Loss of apetite and always feeling full
- Weight loss
Asthma
Asthmatic patients commonly suffer from low eosinophils count, because they tend to accumulate eosinophils in their lungs, due to which it does not produce in the body properly. In turn, toxins are released by these cells with an aim to fight against the intruders and other foreign substances. They cause damage to the tissues inside the patient’s lungs, thus leading to reduce level of eosinophils in their body. Asthmatic patients are also prescribed steroids and antihistamines, due to which their eosinophils count is further reduced due to asthma management.
You will notice this is the reason for your low eosinophil count because you will also have the following symptoms:
- Whistling chest
- Thoracic oppression
- Cough
Blood disorder
Eosinophils are white blood cells which are cellular components of your blood. If you are suffering from a blood related disorder like anemia, leukemia, blood cancer, platelet disorder etc., chances are that your eosinophils levels will also get affected. So, if you have been detected with low eosinophils count, then get yourself checked for the conditions mentioned above and ensure that you are not suffering from any of these blood related disorders.
Other causes
In addition to these, there are certain other conditions that may be responsible for low eosinophils count in your body. Such conditions may include the following:
- Endocrine problems: Diseases such as Addison's disease can also cause a low eosinophil count. You will also notice darkening of the skin, weight loss and extreme weakness.
- Parasitic infestations: Also known as parasitosis, this reason can have different symptoms due to the different reaction the body has to each parasite. The most common are Toxoplasma gondii or Plasmodiuim.
- Infectious diseases: If you have an open wound that has been infected and has not been treated properly, then you also have a high chance of developing Eosinopenia.
- Immunologic disorders: Diseases such as Pemphigus or dermatitis can also cause a low eosinophil count.
- Drug interactions: If you are taking drugs such as Prednisone, anit-depressants such as Tricyclic, Adderall or Medrol can cause it.
If your eosinophils count has been detected as low in your blood test, then perhaps one of these is your reason.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
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