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What is Histamine?

Niki Foster
Niki Foster
Niki Foster
Niki Foster

Histamine is a chemical produced by the body that aids in immune response and acts as a neurotransmitter. In response to foreign pathogens in the body, this chemical is produced by basophils, a type of white blood cell, and mast cells, cells in the connective tissue with similar characteristics to basophils. Histamine helps fight off infection by making capillaries more permeable to white blood cells that fight pathogens.

Four types of histamine receptors, which interact with released histamine to produce a reaction, have been discovered in the body. H1 receptors are found on the smooth muscle tissue of the internal organs, the endothelium lining blood vessels, and central nervous system tissue. The interaction of histamine with these receptors is responsible for hives, itching and swelling due to insect bites and similar allergic reactions, and allergic rhinitis, or cold-like symptoms due to allergic reaction. H2 receptors are located on the parietal cells on the stomach lining and stimulate the secretion of gastric acid when activated; this process is a normal part of biological function and not a response to pathogens.

Histamines are released during allergic reactions such as hives.
Histamines are released during allergic reactions such as hives.

H3 receptors are located in the tissue of the central and parietal nervous system and are responsible for the decreased release of neurotransmitters including acetylcholine, histamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. H4 receptors are located in the basophils, bone marrow, thymus, small intestine, spleen, and colon. They play a role in chemotaxis, the movement of body cells in reaction to a chemical in their environment.

A topical cream can be applied to alleviate the symptoms of hives.
A topical cream can be applied to alleviate the symptoms of hives.

In addition to its role in immune response, histamine helps regulate a number of processes in the body. It aids in the digestive function of the stomach, as mentioned above, and helps produce an orgasm through mast cells in the genitals. Histamine also helps regulate sleep, as the body produces more upon waking and less as the sleep cycle proceeds. For this reason, antihistamines can help a person fall asleep by limiting the chemical's release.

Niki Foster
Niki Foster

In addition to her role as a TheHealthBoard editor, Niki enjoys educating herself about interesting and unusual topics in order to get ideas for her own articles. She is a graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Linguistics and Anthropology.

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Niki Foster
Niki Foster

In addition to her role as a TheHealthBoard editor, Niki enjoys educating herself about interesting and unusual topics in order to get ideas for her own articles. She is a graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Linguistics and Anthropology.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

bestcity

Histamine is also a major cause of asthma.

Studies are being done on a protein of cells that release histamine. Potentially the protein will slow down the release of histamine, and hopefully avoid allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

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    • Histamines are released during allergic reactions such as hives.
      By: Jürgen Fälchle
      Histamines are released during allergic reactions such as hives.
    • A topical cream can be applied to alleviate the symptoms of hives.
      By: picsfive
      A topical cream can be applied to alleviate the symptoms of hives.
    • Histamine reactions can lead to a serious medical condition known as anaphylaxis.
      By: jinga80
      Histamine reactions can lead to a serious medical condition known as anaphylaxis.
    • Seasonal allergy symptoms are caused by histamine reactions.
      By: FedeCandoniPhoto
      Seasonal allergy symptoms are caused by histamine reactions.
    • Consulting 911 can be helpful in suspected cases of a severe allergic reaction.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      Consulting 911 can be helpful in suspected cases of a severe allergic reaction.
    • Most drugstores stock a variety of antihistamine medications.
      By: dusk
      Most drugstores stock a variety of antihistamine medications.