Histamine Intolerance Symptoms: 10 Common Signs

Are you experiencing unexplained symptoms like gastrointestinal issues, skin problems, headaches, or fatigue? You might be dealing with histamine intolerance.

As a functional medicine certified health coach, I’ve seen numerous cases where seemingly healthy super-foods like kombucha and high histamine smoothies exacerbate health issues.

In this blog post, I’ll delve into 10 common signs of histamine intolerance, shedding light on a condition often overlooked and un-diagnosed.

Symptoms of Histamine Intolerance

Because histamine is a neurotransmitter and is found throughout many body systems, histamine intolerance symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. This list is not comprehensive, but these are some of the most common complaints that I see in supporting those with histamine intolerance.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Histamine intolerance often manifests through gastrointestinal problems such as chronic constipation, loose stools, heartburn, and bloating. Many individuals with IBS may actually be dealing with underlying histamine intolerance. Additionally, inflammatory bowel disease has been linked to low levels of DAO, an enzyme responsible for breaking down dietary histamines.

Skin Symptoms

Rashes, itching, and skin flushing can indicate histamine intolerance. Even without visible rashes, some may experience generalized itching or flushing resembling a sunburn. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be itchy to have histamine intolerance, but skin symptoms are prevalent among sufferers.

Oftentimes we are diagnosed with skin conditions such as rosacea, chronic hives, and eczema.

Headaches and Migraines

Frequent headaches or migraines can be linked to histamine intolerance. Low DAO levels have been associated with migraines, emphasizing the role of histamine in triggering these debilitating headaches.

Respiratory Issues

Histamine intolerance can manifest as respiratory problems such as a runny nose, congestion, wheezing, or shortness of breath. Asthma sufferers may also experience exacerbation due to high histamine levels.

Fatigue and Brain Fog

Feeling constantly fatigued or experiencing brain fog could indicate histamine intolerance. Individuals may struggle with low energy levels, difficulty concentrating, or memory lapses, all of which can be attributed to elevated histamine levels.

Aches and Pains

Joint or muscle pain without apparent cause may signal histamine intolerance. Individuals might experience soreness or stiffness reminiscent of post-workout discomfort, even without exercising.

Anxiety and Depression

Histamine, as a neurotransmitter, can influence mood and mental health. High histamine levels may exacerbate anxiety and depression symptoms. Stress management becomes crucial as stress can trigger histamine release, creating a vicious cycle.

Low Blood Pressure and Dizziness

Chronic low blood pressure or dizziness may be prevalent among individuals with histamine intolerance. Some may experience postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), characterized by a drop in blood pressure upon standing, accompanied by an elevated heart rate.

Heart Rate Irregularities

An erratic heart rate, either excessively fast or slow, can be associated with histamine intolerance. Monitoring heart rate alongside other symptoms can provide valuable insights into histamine intolerance. Within the histamine intolerance community, low blood pressure and dizziness are common.

Conditions like POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and chronic low blood pressure frequently coexist with histamine intolerance. Some people, like myself, may experience a drop in blood pressure accompanied by a rapid heart rate after consuming histamine-rich foods.

Overactive Bladder

Frequent urination or the sensation of an incomplete bladder emptying might indicate histamine intolerance. This symptom, often overlooked, can significantly impact daily life but may improve with dietary modifications.

Conclusion

Histamine intolerance presents a diverse array of symptoms affecting multiple bodily systems. These ten signs are among the most common indicators of histamine intolerance, though it’s important to note that histamine, as a neurotransmitter, impacts various systems within the body and numerous other signs and symptoms may arise.

When suspecting histamine intolerance, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out other potential causes. Autoimmune conditions are common in this population and many of these symptoms overlap.

If all other possibilities have been explored, a low-histamine elimination diet is the gold standard for diagnosis. For those interested in trying this approach, I have provided a free guide HERE.

In my personal experience with dealing with histamine issues, I was diagnosed with migraine with aura, chronic spontaneous urticaria, IBS, asthma, rosacea, over active bladder, SVT, arthritis (although there is no joint damage, they just hurt), and more. This is really common to see this in the histamine intolerance and MCAS community, as most physicians are not familiar with these conditions.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28624934/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8069563/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10647782/

New to histamine intolerance? Grab your free guide The Histamine Diet Jumpstart by clicking HERE