Histamine intolerance is the term used to describe the intolerance of histamine ingested with food. Such intolerance can be manifested by a whole range of symptoms, including reddening of the skin and gastrointestinal complaints. We reveal how to properly treat histamine intolerance and which medications can help with acute symptoms. In addition, we provide you with a list of foods that you should better avoid if you suspect histamine intolerance.
What is histamine intolerance?
Histamine is a neurotransmitter that is released in the body during allergic reactions. However, it is not only produced in the body, but is also found in many foods. However, foods containing histamine are poorly tolerated by some people. They experience unpleasant symptoms after eating them, such as reddening of the skin, gastrointestinal complaints or a blocked nose.
Women in particular are affected
According to estimates, at least one percent of the population in Germany suffers from histamine intolerance. The majority of those affected – about 80 percent – are female. Middle-aged women are particularly frequently affected. Medical experts suspect that in most of those affected, the intolerance is not congenital but acquired in the course of life.
Causes of histamine intolerance
In histamine intolerance, allergy-like symptoms occur after eating foods that contain a lot of histamine. In contrast to an allergy, however, there is no reaction of the immune system – which is why it is also called a pseudoallergy. It is not the messenger substance itself, but rather the disturbed degradation and the resulting increased histamine concentration that cause the symptoms.
Normally, histamine is broken down in the small intestine by the enzyme DAO (diamine oxidase). In histamine intolerance, however, this breakdown no longer functions smoothly and histamine accumulates in the body. Possible causes are a lack of enzymes in the body as well as reduced enzyme activity. A DAO deficiency can be caused by chronic intestinal diseases, among other things.
Reasons for decreased enzyme activity
Decreased enzyme activity indicates that the enzymes are stressed by other substances – alcohol or certain medications, for example, are possible causes. Some drugs also cause histamine stored in the body to be released.
Agents that may be associated with histamine intolerance include:
- Acetylcysteine
- Ambroxol
- Amitriptyline
- Clavulanic acid
- Metamizole
- Metoclopramide
- Propanidide
- Verapamil
Histamine intolerance: typical symptoms
The symptoms characteristic of histamine intolerance occur whenever there is too much histamine in the blood. They usually become noticeable about an hour after eating foods that are particularly high in histamine. Which symptoms occur varies from person to person.
Particularly common symptoms of histamine intolerance include:
- Headache
- Gastrointestinal complaints (diarrhea, flatulence, heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain).
- Sudden reddening of the skin (flush)
Most often, the skin redness is associated with a more or less severe itching. Due to the gastrointestinal complaints, doctors sometimes incorrectly diagnose irritable bowel syndrome.
In addition to these complaints, however, a histamine intolerance can be manifested by a number of other symptoms:
- Cardiovascular complaints
- Sleep disorders
- Pain in the limbs
- Asthma
- Bladder infections
- States of exhaustion
- A stuffy or suddenly runny nose
