Histamine intolerance

Histamine intolerance is a condition where your body becomes overly sensitive to histamine, a compound naturally produced in your body and found in many foods. This doesn't mean you're allergic to histamine, but rather that your body has difficulty breaking it down properly.

When histamine levels become too high or your body can't process it effectively, it can disrupt normal bodily functions. Many of the symptoms of histamine intolerance are similar to common allergic reactions, which can make it challenging to diagnose.

Your body naturally produces histamine and the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO), which helps break down histamine from foods. Histamine intolerance occurs when histamine levels in your body rise too high. Many foods contain high levels of histamine, and various health conditions and medications can contribute to intolerance.

Symptoms can include skin rashes, itching, flushed skin, red eyes, facial swelling, runny nose, digestive issues, dizziness, and in severe cases, asthma attacks. Some symptoms, such as low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and anxiety, can be quite serious.

Histamine intolerance is relatively rare, affecting only about 1-3% of the population. Women are more likely to experience histamine intolerance than men, possibly due to hormonal differences.