High Basophiles (Basophilia): main causes and what to do

The increase in the number of basophils receives the name of basophilia, and indicates that some inflammatory or allergic process, mainly, is occurring in the organism, and it is important that the concentration of basophils in the blood, be interpreted together with the other results of the hematology.

It is not necessary to treat high basophils, but it is the cause of the basophilia. For this reason, it is important to investigate the cause of the increase and so, the appropriate treatment can be started.

The basophils are cells belonging to the immune system and they are found in smaller bodies in the blood, being considered normal when their concentration is between 0 and 2% or 0 – 200 /mm³, the second is the value of the laboratory. Basophil counts greater than 200/mm³ is indicative of basophilia. Find out more about basophils.

The main causes of basophilia are:

1. Asthma, sinusitis and rhinitis

Asthma, sinusitis and rhinitis are the main causes of elevated basophils, as they are responsible for intense and prolonged allergic or inflammatory processes, which stimulate greater activity in the immune system, giving rise to an increase in basophils in the soil, as well as eosinophils and of lymphocytes.

What to do: In these situations, it is important to identify the cause of sinusitis and rhinitis and avoid contact, in addition, if you can use antihistamine drugs to alleviate the symptoms. In the case of asthma, it is also indicated to avoid the cause responsible for the appearance of the symptoms, the use of drugs that promote the opening of the pulmonary bronchi, facilitating breathing.

2. Ulcerative or ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease, which is characterized by the presence of several ulcers in the intestine, causing many ailments, fatigue and weight loss, for example. As it is a prolonged inflammatory process, it is possible to verify in the blood count the increase in the number of basophils.

What to do: It is important to follow the treatment according to the indications of the gastroenterologist, giving preference to a healthy diet and low in grease, in addition to some drugs that help reduce inflammation, such as Sulfasalazine, Mesalazine and Corticoids, for example.

3. Arthritis

Arthritis is characterized by inflammation of the joints, which leads to changes in hematology, including an increase in the number of basophils.

What to do: In the case of arthritis, it is important that the treatment be carried out according to the indications of the traumatologist, in this way, in addition to normalizing the hematology values, it is possible to combat the symptoms associated with arthritis. See all about arthritis.

4. Chronic Kidney Failure

It is common that in chronic renal failure, an increase in the number of basophils is observed, which is normally associated with a prolonged inflammatory process.

What to do: In this case, it is recommended to follow the treatment indicated by the doctor to treat renal failure, in which the use of medication is generally indicated to control the symptoms or in more serious situations, renal transplantation may be indicated.

5. Hemolytic Anemia

Hemolytic anemia is characterized by the destruction of red blood cells by the immune system, giving rise to symptoms such as weakness, pallor and lack of appetite, for example. To try to compensate for the destruction of red blood cells, the bone marrow begins to release more inmature cells into the blood stream, such as the reticulocytes, for example. In addition, in some cases, the doctor may observe an increase in the number of basophils, and the immune system is more active

What to do: It is important to carry out the hematology and other laboratory tests to verify that it is a hemolytic anemia or another type of anemia. In situations where hemolytic anemia is confirmed, the doctor may recommend the use of drugs that regulate the activity of the immune system, such as Prednisone and Ciclosporin, for example.

See how to identify and treat hemolytic anemia.

6. Blood diseases

Some hematological diseases, mainly Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Vera Polycythemia, Essential Thrombocythemia and Primary Myelofibrosis, for example, can cause an increase in the number of basophils in the blood, in addition to other changes in hematology.

What to do: In these cases, it is important that the diagnosis be carried out by a hematologist according to the result of the blood count and other laboratory tests, so that the most appropriate treatment can be initiated according to the hematological illness.