histamine
/ˈhɪstəmiːn/
noun
- A chemical in the body that is released during allergic reactions, causing symptoms like sneezing, itching, and swelling.
- When you have hay fever, your body releases histamine, making your eyes water and nose run.
- Antihistamine pills block histamine to stop allergy symptoms.
- Bee stings cause a rush of histamine that leads to redness and pain.
- A substance found in some foods (like aged cheese, wine, and fish) that can cause intolerance symptoms in sensitive people.
- Red wine contains histamine, which can trigger flushing in some drinkers.
- If you are sensitive to histamine, you might avoid fermented foods like sauerkraut.
- Some people get headaches after eating foods high in histamine, such as aged cheese.