The Bucket Theory

Understanding MCAS

Imagine your body is like a bucket — it can hold a certain amount of stress, chemicals, triggers, and inflammation before it overflows.

For someone with MCAS, that bucket is already close to full…
-from everyday exposures
-from internal mast cell instability
-from stress, food, environment, and more

What Happens When the Bucket Overflows?

When one more “drop” is added — like perfume, a food trigger, or even heat —
The bucket overflows
Symptoms flare: rashes, brain fog, anaphylaxis, fatigue, and more

Why This Matters

Even small things that seem harmless to others can cause big reactions for someone with MCAS. That’s why trigger avoidance, stress management, and proper treatment are so important — they help lower the water level in the bucket.

How to Support Someone with a “Full Bucket”

-Be fragrance-free around them

-Take their sensitivities seriously

-Learn about their emergency needs

-Respect their limits — even when they look “fine”

The Bucket Theory reminds us that chronic illness isn't always visible — but it's always real.