What Are the Causes of Eosinophilia?

Eosinophils are cells in the auto-immune system that help protect the body from disease, but when too many eosinophils are grouped together it creates the condition known as eosinophilia. Doctors regard the presence of eosinophilia as a symptom of a treatable condition, and that is why a doctor usually will order a battery of medical tests when eosinophilia is detected. In order to cure the eosinophilia, the doctor must deal with the underlying condition that is causing it.

Identification

• Eosinophils are white blood cells that are found in the bloodstream and protect the body from disease. An overabundance of eosinophils is referred to as eosinophilia, or an eosinophilic disorder. When the buildup of white blood cells occurs in the bloodstream it is referred to as blood eosinophilia. In some cases an abnormal amount of eosinophils may develop in the tissue around a scar or incision. When this happens it is referred to as tissue eosinophilia. Evidence of tissue eosinophilia does not necessarily mean an incidence of blood eosinophilia.

Diseases

• Eosinophilia normally occurs when too many eosinophils are sent to a particular site in the body to fight a disease or infection, or when the bone marrow produces too many eosinophils in response to a condition somewhere in the body. Some of the conditions that can trigger eosinophilia are asthma, some forms of leukemia, hay fever, lupus, scarlet fever and ovarian cancer.

Drug Hypersensitivity

• Eosinophils may be produced in an overabundant number as a reaction to an illegal drug or a prescribed medication. The immune system is usually one of the first systems to react to a new drug being introduced into the body, and in some cases the body mistakes the drug for an intruder and releases an abnormal amount of eosinophils. This reaction is referred to as drug hypersensitivity. It is possible that any new substance being introduced into the body could trigger eosinophilia if the body already is predisposed to drug hypersensitivity.

Digestive Conditions

• Various infections of the digestive system, such as viral, fungal or bacterial infections, can trigger eosinophilia. Inflammation of the bowels, such as that relative to Crohn's disease, has been known to produce too many eosinophils. It is also possible that certain food allergies can generate eosinophils, and acid reflux also could indicate the beginning of eosinophilia.

Parasites

• Infections caused by parasites also can increase the risk of eosinophilia. This risk seems to appear greater in those who travel and are exposed to various parasites. It is also possible to become exposed to parasites through family pets that spend time outdoors and then bring the parasites into the home.