Additional Causes and Effects of Excessive Histamine

As we’ve already learned, histamine is a chemical within our bodies at all times. It is created and stored within specialized cells and helps the immune system in defending the body against foreign infection and unwelcomed substances.

In addition, histamine also acts as one of the brain’s ‘messengers’ and aides in releasing gastric-acid to facilitate digestion within the stomach. Research has demonstrated that there are many people who are hypersensitive. This hypersensitivity can result in excessive amounts of histamine when it is exposed to allergens in the environment or in the foods that are consumed. Elevated levels of histamine can cause a variety of reactions and symptoms, ranging from mild distress to full blown allergic reactions.

High levels of histamine may trigger itching on one side of the body or both. The itching is caused when other ty pes of inflammation and irritations are triggered by excessively high levels of histamine. Likewise, large amounts of histamine can cause watery, itchy red ey es, nasal congestion, runny noses, sneezing, irritation to the ey es and ears, and post nasal drip. This ty pe of reaction is usually in response to airborne allergens.

Asthmatic reactions can also occur when there are excessive histamine levels in the bloodstream. This potentially serious and chronic condition takes place when there are increased mucous secretions in the respiratory sy stem. Wheezing, difficulty with breathing and tightness of the chest are common sy mptoms. Over production of histamines can cause swelling in deep tissue, resulting in swelling of the digestive tract, throat, mouth, and restrict breathing, sometimes fatally. A very severe reaction to high levels of histamine can cause Anaphy laxis.

Various symptoms of this potentially life threatening condition may include a sudden dip in blood pressure, abdominal pain, diarrhea, swollen and reddened skin, nausea, vomiting, nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, dizziness and fainting.

Read More

What is Histamine?

When a person has an allergy, the body produces antibodies as a way to safeguard itself from intrusion. As a response, countless antibodies attach to the surface of the cells within bodily tissue. There they wait for the next attack by an allergen that the body has identified as a potential threat. While on guard, they collect assorted chemicals from blood as it circulates through the system, resulting in inflammation.

When another assault takes place, the allergen is bound by specific antibodies and a chemical is released. Histamine, one of these specially designed chemicals contributes to the allergic response set up within the body. Histamine is associated with sneezing, runny noses, itching, and many of the other discomforts associated with allergic reactions.

Anti-allergy medications, referred to as antihistamines, are designed to prevent the histamines from binding to ‘receptors’. Allergic reactions have two phases. There is an early phase, caused when the chemicals are released that can happen immediately after exposure to an allergen. A late phase reaction, occurring when inflammatory cells are brought in for back-up, can occur many hours after exposure. Allergic reactions may cause hives on the skin’s surface. Usually hives appear on the arms, legs, and torso, but they may occur on other parts of the body as well. A severe allergic reaction, such as the one our daughter experienced, can cause swelling within the mouth, tongue, and throat.

Read More