What is histamine and what is its role in allergy?

Histamine is a crucial biologically active substance that acts as a mediator in various processes within the human body. It is synthesized in mast cells and basophils, participating in the regulation of gastric secretion, the transmission of nerve impulses, and protective inflammatory reactions.

When a true allergen enters the body, a massive release of histamine from storage sites occurs, which triggers the typical symptoms of an allergic reaction. Among them are severe skin itching, soft tissue edema, skin redness, lacrimation, and respiratory tract spasms.

To combat the negative effects of histamine, various generations of antihistamines are actively used in medicine. These medications block histamine receptors in the body, preventing histamine molecules from binding to them and causing pathological symptoms.

The source of histamine can be not only the body's internal reserves, but also certain foods with a high content of it. Such foods include aged cheeses, fermented products, red wine, tomatoes, sauerkraut, spinach, and various smoked meats.

In so-called histamine intolerance, the body fails to cope with breaking down the substance ingested with food due to a deficiency of the enzyme diamine oxidase. In such cases, a special low-histamine diet helps people significantly improve their well-being and get rid of unpleasant symptoms.