HISTAMINE - DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW

Authors

  • Jasmina Jocić Stojanović Pediatric office „Dečji svet“, Belgrade
  • Zorica Živković Clinical Hospital Center “Dr Dragiša Mišović - Dedinje”, Children’s Hospital for Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis, Belgrade, University Business Academy in Novi Sad, Faculty of Pharmacy, Novi Sad https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0363-3578
  • Andreja Prijić Clinical Hospital Center “Dr Dragiša Mišović - Dedinje”, Children’s Hospital for Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis, Belgrade,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46793/PP251215001J

Keywords:

exogenous histamine, diamine oxidase, histamine intolerance

Abstract

Although the first association with histamine is an allergic reaction, events in the body mediated by this biogenic amine do not always have to be related to allergy. The accumulation of exogenously introduced histamine in the body, which exceeds the possibilities of its elimination, can be the cause of symptoms such as: rhinitis, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms, palpitations, urticaria and itching. This condition is known as histamine intolerance and is most often triggered by histamine-rich foods, alcoholic beverages, and medications that release histamine and/or block diamine oxidase, the main enzyme involved in the metabolism of ingested histamine. This state of disturbed balance between ingested histamine and the possibility of its elimination may be associated with reduced diamine oxidase activity. Due to the intertwining of symptoms with other clinical entities, primarily allergy, and the absence of a specific diagnostic test that confirms this condition, the diagnosis of histamine intolerance requires a multidisciplinary approach that will first rule out other possible causes, and then by implementing a low-histamine diet, using antihistamines, supplementing diamine oxidase, minerals and vitamins lead to symptom control and improvement in the quality of life of patients.

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Published

04/18/2026

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Section

Review Articles