How a Histamine Works

The body's histamine release is responsible for reactions to a host of allergenic materials, including pollen, mosquito bites and bee stings. This activity can damage affected cells, incurring the need for antihistamine treatments.

Function

• White blood cells called basophils release histamine when the body comes in contact with an allergen. The histamine allows for bodily tissues to accept antibodies that respond to allergy attacks. However, this activity produces gaps in the tissues susceptible to blood fluid seepage, causing swelling, itching and muscle contraction, according to scientists at the Davidson College Department of Biology.

Causes

• Many individuals suffer from different types of allergies depending on their bodies' tolerances to allergens. Almonds bring on a histamine release in those allergic to nuts while plants, grass and trees trigger seasonal allergies in others.

Reactions

• Histamine reactions vary. Bee sting allergies cause histamine to redden the skin and tighten the chest while seasonal allergies prompt histamines to congest the throat and nasal passages or swell and dry out the eyes. Asthma is a common histamine side effect.

Treatments

• Antihistamines combat histamine in many forms. Some treat mosquito bites with antihistamine cream while others take an internal drug. Clinically prescribed steroids, called corticosteroids, treat year-round or seasonal allergies and asthma.