Pronounced: eh-SIN-oh-feel-ia
Eosinophils is a type of white blood cell. These white blood cells help to protect the body from infections. Eosinophils are created in the bone and move through the body in the blood.
Eosinophilia is an abnormally high number of these white blood cells. There may be high levels of eosinophils in the blood, in the tissue, or both. There are several types of eosinophilia based on the cause and symptoms.
White Blood Cells
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Eosinophilia may be caused by an injury or illness to a specific area or an overproduction of these cells. The cause will vary based on type of eosinophilia:
A family history increases your chance of familial eosinophilia.
Conditions that increase your chance of secondary eosinophilia include:
Conditions that increase your chance of primary eosinophilia include:
Symptoms of eosinophilia are often those of the underlying condition. For example:
Rarer symptoms of eosinophilia may include:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may be referred to a blood specialist.
Eosinophil levels maybe measured through:
Other tests will depend on the underlying condition. Your doctor may order:
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Primary and secondary eosinophilia can be managed by treating the underlying cause.
Idiopathic eosinophilia may be treated with corticosteroids. This group of medications can reduce inflammation and decrease the number of eosinophils. Corticosteroids may be taken in inhaled form, topical treatment, pills, or injections.
Cause of eosinophilia is not always clear. As a result, there are no specific steps to prevent eosinophilia.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
http://www.aaaai.org
American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org
Allergy Asthma Information Association
http://aaia.ca
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Brigden ML. A practical workup for eosinophilia. Postgraduate Medicine website. Available at: http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/1999/03_99/brigden.htm . Accessed July 26, 2005.
Eosinophilia. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy website. Available at: http://www.merck.c... . Accessed July 26, 2005.
Tefferi A. Blood Eosinophilia: A New Paradigm in Disease Classification, Diagnosis and Treatment. Mayo Clin Proc. January 2005;80(1):75-83
Last reviewed November 2012 by Michael Woods, MD
Last Updated: 11/26/2012