How to Reduce Histamines
Histamines irritate the cells in your body by attempting to attach to them, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Histamines are responsible for the common symptoms experienced by allergy sufferers, such as watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose and itching. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates that about 50 million people in the United States suffer from some form of allergic illness. Reducing histamines typically involves interruption of the immune response and the use of medications that prevent histamines from binding to mast cells in the body.
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Instructions
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How to Reduce Histamines
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Take an over-the-counter antihistamine medication. Antihistamine medications work by lowering your levels of histamine, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Some common over-the-counter antihistamine drugs include brompheniramine, dimenhydrinate, doxylamine, loratadine and diphenhydramine, or Benadryl.
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Try a prescription-strength antihistamine if needed. However, the American Academy of Family Physicians states that OTC antihistamines are typically as effective as prescription medications at reducing levels of circulating histamine in the body.
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Undergo immunotherapy, or allergy shots, to diminish your body's reaction to allergens and prevent the release of histamine. Immunotherapy helps modify your immune response to perceived threats and reduces the chemical reactions that occur as part of the immune process, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
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Increase your consumption of foods containing vitamin C, which may have natural antihistamine properties. Green leafy vegetables, sweet peppers, papayas, strawberries, red cabbage, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peaches and yellow squash are all excellent sources of vitamin C, according to the Nemours Foundation.
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Supplement with butterbur, which is a member of the daisy family that contains petasin. Petasin may reduce histamines, but there are safety issues surrounding the supplement. Butterbur may contain an alkaloid known to increase the risk of blood clots, cancer, and kidney and liver toxicity, according to Alan Greene, MD, FAAP.
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Avoid known allergens, as any exposure to allergens can increase your histamine levels. Reducing your contact with allergens will help decrease the amount of histamine your body releases.
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Tips & Warnings
Some people should not take antihistamine medications, including those with glaucoma, breathing problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease and urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate gland.
