Halsey Diagnosis: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Explained and How to Treat Them

Things have not been easy lately for Halsey. The “Without Me” singer announced the Love and Power tour in February 2022. Between that announcement and the May 17 start of the tour, they revealed multiple medical issues on their Instagram Stories. Halsey revealed the diagnosis of several diseases, including Sjögren’s Syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, though the diagnoses shouldn’t impact their tour. 

Here’s what happened, Halsey’s ailments explained, and how she might treat them.

Halsey’s health update reveals a slew of diagnoses

Halsey’s May 10 Instagram Stories post (which is no longer active) gave fans a detailed update on their health. The video showed the singer in bed wearing a heart monitor while they addressed and revealed several medical diagnoses by speaking directly into the camera. 

The “Nightmare” singer told fans she was “hospitalized for anaphylaxis a few times,” and that after “seeing like 100,000 doctors,” she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, POTS.” 

Halsey’s diagnosis includes several syndromes that affect their health, and they might require an explanation for the layperson.

Sjögren’s, Ehlers-Danlos, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome explained

Before successfully having her baby, Ender, Halsey’s endometriosis diagnosis led to pregnancy complications. In their Instagram post, they also noted the recent diagnosis “could potentially be another type of autoimmune disease.” Two of Halsey’s diseases are considered autoimmune: Sjögren’s syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. The other diseases in their diagnosis are not. 

• Sjögren’s syndrome primarily affects glands that help the body create moisture in the eyes and mouth, as Heathline reports. In a person with Sjögren’s syndrome, the body fails to produce enough moisture.
• Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome encompasses a group of similar diseases, one of which is an autoimmune disease (per Healthline). People diagnosed with POTS typically feel dizzy when standing up from a sitting or lying position. Other symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, weakness, heart palpitations, and more.

The two other ailments in Halsey’s diagnosis, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, are not considered autoimmune.

• Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (there are 13 types, writes Healthline) can affect connective tissues that support and structure the skin, joints, bones, blood vessels, and organs. People with EDS may have increased joint mobility or have stretchy, fragile skin that’s prone to breaking. 
• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome causes the body’s mast cells to release too much of a substance called mediators, which trigger symptoms of an allergic reaction, according to Healthline. The litany of symptoms includes rashy, swollen, or itchy skin, eye irritation or watering, itchy or runny nose, and trouble breathing, among others.

The bad news is Halsey’s diagnosis of several diseases gives them a lot to handle as they prepare to tour. The good news is the symptoms of these diseases are treatable.

How Halsey might treat their diseases

A whirlwind of less-than-stellar medical news can be tough to handle, but Halsey’s diseases are treatable.

Sjögren’s can’t be cured, but eye drops, lotions, oral hydration, and medications can help manage the symptoms. Some medications plus lifestyle changes (hydration, exercise, rest, diet) can alleviate POTS symptoms.

EDS treatments include physical therapy, surgery, or medication to manage pain. Doctors may prescribe antihistamines, aspirin, mast cell stabilizers, or other medications to treat MCAS.

Halsey’s diagnosis should be manageable with a doctor’s assistance. The singer once joked about quitting music to make pasta. The treatable nature of their diseases means they likely won’t have to.