18 Hidden Causes of High Neutrophil Counts That Doctors Want You to Know

7. Burns

Many patients will deal with neutrophilia after experiencing a burn, such as a burn due to excessive heat from liquids, a chemical burn, and an electrical burn. First-degree burns, which are those that result in minimal damage to the skin, do not often trigger neutrophilia. They are superficial burns and heal within seven to ten days. Individuals are more likely to experience neutrophilia due to the acute inflammation from second- or third-degree burns, which is more serious. Patients may be able to treat some second-degree burns at home, but may need the hospital. Third-degree burns do require prompt medical attention, and often patients need surgery. The extended healing time from second- and third-degree burns is often what increases the risk of neutrophilia, since inflammation sticks around as well.

8. Stress

Stress is a significant cause of reactive neutrophilia. This is because stress hormones in the body, which increase when individuals are experiencing stress, cause the release of a higher than normal amount of neutrophils from the individual's bone marrow. Reactive neutrophilia is more likely to occur in response to chronic stress rather than a single day or a few hours of an individual dealing with more stress than usual. Chronic stress puts significant pressure on an individual's body for an extended period and makes it hard for them to function normally. Symptoms of chronic stress include frequent headaches, constant fatigue, increased irritability, low self-esteem, appetite changes, sleeping problems, and concentration issues.