Around the nose and on the cheeks, red spots show up. These include swelling in the face sometimes. And it can itch as well. Sometimes, but not always, the complaints quickly.
An allergic reaction? But on what? The answers to these questions Affected often on the Internet. The speech is then quickly of histamine-intolerance – for example, if the stains occur after a glass of red wine.
No Test – no disease
However, experts from the stir. “Histamine intolerance is a disease that actually does not exist,” says the dermatologist Prof. Thomas Fuchs of the University of Göttingen.
The reason: There is no Test that such an incompatibility could be detected.
To clarify where it is, what Histamines are ever. “These are messengers that cells in the body from the amino to produce acid histidine,“ explains Fuchs.
These semiochemicals serve important functions. Not only that, they provide for a balanced sleep-Wake rhythm and the blood pressure to regulate. Histamines stimulate the production of Gastric acid and increase the bowel movement.
After the work is done, you will be degraded in the small intestine, and the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO).
“This is what usually happens when too much Histamine in the body,“ says Fuchs. Histamine is not only produced by the body itself, but also about the food.
No evidence of histamine-intolerance
“As a histamine-rich apply in addition to red wine, sparkling wine and champagne, for example, Sauerkraut, long-ripened cheeses such as Roquefort, Tilsiter or Parmesan cheese and about anchovies in Oil or aged ham“, is Sonja Lämmel by the German Allergy and asthma Federation (DAAB).
Chocolate has little histamine, can put it but maybe in the intestine – secured this is not. “In some cases, bowel problems seem to be the cause for complaints,“ says Fuchs.
Evidence that histamine is the trigger for these complaints, but there is no.
It is not clear whether and to what extent the removal of histamine can be slows down in the small intestine out – for example, by inflammatory processes in the body, or certain hormones.
Researchers also discuss whether, possibly, excessive alcohol consumption or low intake of vitamins B6 and C interfere with the function of the enzyme DAO in the small intestine. Another possibility: Certain pain relievers or antibiotics may slow down the histamine degradation.
Symptoms log and seek help
But if there is no intolerance so what are symptoms such as facial flushing, itching, Nausea, dizziness, or voice disorders after eating and Drinking due?
“Probably it is not the histamine alone, the triggers, the symptoms, but the histamine in context with other substances,“ explains Lämmel.
She advises those Affected to start with a food diary. In it, you should write down exactly what you have taken, and by when, and what reactions the body showed.
This food diary can provide to be Concerned, then an allergist or an Allergy-savvy Dietitian.
On the Basis of the food-Symptom diary, and, together with a detailed history of the subject explores power, whether there is a connection between the food consumed, triggering factors and complaints.
Such a suspicion, the Patient can discuss the next step with the allergist, which prompted further investigations.
Diet time
The suspicion is confirmed, the patient’s diet tips. “Such a nutritional therapy subsidise the statutory health insurance funds,“ says Lämmel. By the way: The intolerance of certain foods or drinks is in many cases not a permanent condition.
“Sometimes it’s only problems,“ emphasizes Fuchs. Sometimes it helps also to wait. Possibly a red wine, Parmesan cheese, and co. one day to prepare and then no more problems.
Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa)
*The contribution of “Allergic reaction: What is behind a histamine intolerance?” is published by FitForFun. Contact with the executives here.