Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are Allergies?What Is Asthma?How Histamine WorksTreatmentWhen to See a ProviderFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are Allergies?
What Is Asthma?
How Histamine Works
Treatment
When to See a Provider
FAQs
When you have an allergic reaction, theimmune systemwill release a chemical calledhistaminethat triggers symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, and rash. The release of histamine can also spur a reaction in the lungs, leading to anasthma attack.
This article explains how allergies and asthma are related and ways to block the effects of histamine so that you can better avoid an allergic asthma attack.
Science Photo Library / Getty Images
An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to an otherwise harmless substance known as anallergen.
However, with allergies, the immune response is inappropriate. When this happens, the sudden dilation of blood vessels causes fluids to leak into surrounding tissues andmucus membranes, leading to rash, nasal congestion, runny nose, and watery eyes.
At the same time, histamine overexcites nerves in the skin and mucus membranes, causingitchinessand sneezing.
Common Causes and Risk Factors of Allergies
When an allergen triggers asthma symptoms, it is referred to as either allergy-induced asthma or allergic asthma.
What’s The Recovery Time After a Severe Asthma Attack?
Histamine is a nitrogen-based compound involved in many different body functions, includingvasodilation(the widening of blood vessels), nerve stimulation, thesleep-wake cycle, and the secretion of stomach acids and respiratory mucus.
During an allergic reaction, the immune system will release proteins calledantibodiesthat set off a chain reaction of events. The antibody associated with allergies, calledimmunoglobulin E (IgE), causes white blood cells—known as basophils andmast cells—to degranulate (break open) and spill histamine and other inflammatory chemicals into the body.
The released histamines and other inflammatory chemicals then bind to receptors on cells.
Where Basophils and Mast Cells Are FoundBasophils freely circulate in the bloodstream, while mast cells are found in connective tissues throughout the body (especially under the skin, in mucus membranes, and in the lining of blood vessels, intestines, and airways).
Where Basophils and Mast Cells Are Found
Basophils freely circulate in the bloodstream, while mast cells are found in connective tissues throughout the body (especially under the skin, in mucus membranes, and in the lining of blood vessels, intestines, and airways).
Reaction Symptoms
With allergic asthma, the degranulation of mast cells in the airways is the primary cause of an asthma attack. As histamine is released, it immediately spursairway hyperresponsivenessin which the bronchi and bronchioles become overly sensitive to environmental stimuli (such as cold, smoke, or dust).
The allergic reaction will also cause a type of white blood cell known as aneosinophilto degranulate and release inflammatory compounds calledcytokinesandleukotrienesinto the airways, causing:
Eosinophils are primarily found in tissues. The severity of an asthma attack generally corresponds to the concentration of eosinophils in the airways.
10 Types of Asthma: Which One Is Yours?
The primary goal of treating any asthma attack is to reverse the symptoms of bronchoconstriction and bronchospasm. This typically involvesrescue inhalerscontaining the drug albuterol which widens the airways and eases spasms.Mucolytic drugscan also help clear excess mucus from the lungs.
Antihistaminescommonly used to treat allergies, cannot stop an asthma attack but can block the effects of histamine and may help ease the severity of an attack. Options include:
Antihistamines may also help prevent an attack, particularly when takenprophylactically(as daily preventive therapy) duringallergy seasonwhen the risk of an attack is high.
How Asthma Is Treated
When to See a Healthcare Provider
According to the American Lung Association, it is important to call your healthcare provider immediately if your rescue inhaler fails to provide relief. This includes wheezing and coughing that persists or worsens, feeling dizzy or faint, or having trouble doing routine activities like cooking or cleaning.
On the other hand, you need to call 911 or seek emergency care if you experience any of the following severe symptoms of asthma:
Summary
Allergic asthma attacks are treated with rescue inhalers containing albuterol. Antihistamines and leukotriene-modifying drugs like Singulair (montelukast) may be prescribed to help control or prevent allergic asthma attacks.
A Word From Verywell
If you have asthma and find it harder to control your symptoms during allergy season or when around pets, allergic asthma may be the cause.
The Difference Between Blood Tests and Skin Tests for Allergies
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn MoreShould I Take Allegra, Claritin, or Zyrtec?
Histamine intoleranceis the buildup of histamine in the body that cannot be broken down in the intestines. Many foods contain histamine, and the inability to process these compounds can lead to stomach pain, diarrhea, and bloating. Certain medications (likeantibiotics) and medical conditions (likeceliac disease) can block the effects of the enzyme that breaks down histamine.Learn MoreWhich Foods Are High in Histamine?
Histamine intoleranceis the buildup of histamine in the body that cannot be broken down in the intestines. Many foods contain histamine, and the inability to process these compounds can lead to stomach pain, diarrhea, and bloating. Certain medications (likeantibiotics) and medical conditions (likeceliac disease) can block the effects of the enzyme that breaks down histamine.
Learn MoreWhich Foods Are High in Histamine?
The signs and symptoms of an asthma attack—as well as the severity of an attack—can vary from person to person, but often include:Shortness of breathWheezingCoughingRapid breathingChest pressureRapid heart rate
The signs and symptoms of an asthma attack—as well as the severity of an attack—can vary from person to person, but often include:
An allergy attack suggests a sudden, severe whole-body reaction known asanaphylaxiswhich can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:An outbreak of rash or hivesShortness of breathWheezingNausea or vomitingSudden, severe diarrheaLightheadedness, dizziness, or faintingRapid or irregular heartbeatsSwelling of the face, tongue, or throatA feeling of impending doomLearn MoreHow Anaphylaxis Is Treated
An allergy attack suggests a sudden, severe whole-body reaction known asanaphylaxiswhich can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:An outbreak of rash or hivesShortness of breathWheezingNausea or vomitingSudden, severe diarrheaLightheadedness, dizziness, or faintingRapid or irregular heartbeatsSwelling of the face, tongue, or throatA feeling of impending doom
An allergy attack suggests a sudden, severe whole-body reaction known asanaphylaxiswhich can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
Learn MoreHow Anaphylaxis Is Treated
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergens and allergic asthma.Yamauchi K, Ogasawara M.The role of histamine in the pathophysiology of asthma and the clinical efficacy of antihistamines in asthma therapy.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(7) doi:10.3390/ijms20071733American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.Bennett JM, Reeves G, Billman GE, Sturmberg JP.Inflammation–nature’s way to efficiently respond to all types of challenges: implications for understanding and managing “the epidemic” of chronic diseases.Front Med. 2018;5. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00316Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(3):219-24. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832Quirt J, Hildebrand KJ, Mazza J, Noya F, Kim H.Asthma.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):50. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0279-0Yamaguchi K, Ogasawara M.The role of histamine in the pathophysiology of asthma and the clinical efficacy of antihistamines in asthma therapy.Int J Mol Sci.2019 Apr;20(7):1733. doi:10.3390/ijms20071733McBrien CN, Menzies-Gow A.The biology of eosinophils and their role in asthma.Front Med.2017 Jun 30;4:93. doi:10.3389/fmed.2017.00093Castillo JR, Peters SP, Busse WW.Asthma exacerbations: pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2017 July-August;5(4):918–27. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.05.001American Lung Association.When to see your doctor about asthma.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American.Allergy diagnosis.Comas-Basté O, Sánchez-Pérez S, Veciana-Nogués M, Latorre-Moratalla M, Vidal-Carou M.Histamine intolerance: the current state of the art.Biomolecules. 2020;10(8):1181. doi:10.3390/biom10081181Fischer D, Van der Leek TK, Ellis AK, Kim H.Anaphylaxis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(2):54. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0283-4
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergens and allergic asthma.Yamauchi K, Ogasawara M.The role of histamine in the pathophysiology of asthma and the clinical efficacy of antihistamines in asthma therapy.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(7) doi:10.3390/ijms20071733American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.Bennett JM, Reeves G, Billman GE, Sturmberg JP.Inflammation–nature’s way to efficiently respond to all types of challenges: implications for understanding and managing “the epidemic” of chronic diseases.Front Med. 2018;5. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00316Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(3):219-24. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832Quirt J, Hildebrand KJ, Mazza J, Noya F, Kim H.Asthma.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):50. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0279-0Yamaguchi K, Ogasawara M.The role of histamine in the pathophysiology of asthma and the clinical efficacy of antihistamines in asthma therapy.Int J Mol Sci.2019 Apr;20(7):1733. doi:10.3390/ijms20071733McBrien CN, Menzies-Gow A.The biology of eosinophils and their role in asthma.Front Med.2017 Jun 30;4:93. doi:10.3389/fmed.2017.00093Castillo JR, Peters SP, Busse WW.Asthma exacerbations: pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2017 July-August;5(4):918–27. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.05.001American Lung Association.When to see your doctor about asthma.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American.Allergy diagnosis.Comas-Basté O, Sánchez-Pérez S, Veciana-Nogués M, Latorre-Moratalla M, Vidal-Carou M.Histamine intolerance: the current state of the art.Biomolecules. 2020;10(8):1181. doi:10.3390/biom10081181Fischer D, Van der Leek TK, Ellis AK, Kim H.Anaphylaxis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(2):54. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0283-4
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergens and allergic asthma.Yamauchi K, Ogasawara M.The role of histamine in the pathophysiology of asthma and the clinical efficacy of antihistamines in asthma therapy.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(7) doi:10.3390/ijms20071733American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.Bennett JM, Reeves G, Billman GE, Sturmberg JP.Inflammation–nature’s way to efficiently respond to all types of challenges: implications for understanding and managing “the epidemic” of chronic diseases.Front Med. 2018;5. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00316Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(3):219-24. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832Quirt J, Hildebrand KJ, Mazza J, Noya F, Kim H.Asthma.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):50. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0279-0Yamaguchi K, Ogasawara M.The role of histamine in the pathophysiology of asthma and the clinical efficacy of antihistamines in asthma therapy.Int J Mol Sci.2019 Apr;20(7):1733. doi:10.3390/ijms20071733McBrien CN, Menzies-Gow A.The biology of eosinophils and their role in asthma.Front Med.2017 Jun 30;4:93. doi:10.3389/fmed.2017.00093Castillo JR, Peters SP, Busse WW.Asthma exacerbations: pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2017 July-August;5(4):918–27. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.05.001American Lung Association.When to see your doctor about asthma.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American.Allergy diagnosis.Comas-Basté O, Sánchez-Pérez S, Veciana-Nogués M, Latorre-Moratalla M, Vidal-Carou M.Histamine intolerance: the current state of the art.Biomolecules. 2020;10(8):1181. doi:10.3390/biom10081181Fischer D, Van der Leek TK, Ellis AK, Kim H.Anaphylaxis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(2):54. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0283-4
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergens and allergic asthma.
Yamauchi K, Ogasawara M.The role of histamine in the pathophysiology of asthma and the clinical efficacy of antihistamines in asthma therapy.Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(7) doi:10.3390/ijms20071733
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.
Bennett JM, Reeves G, Billman GE, Sturmberg JP.Inflammation–nature’s way to efficiently respond to all types of challenges: implications for understanding and managing “the epidemic” of chronic diseases.Front Med. 2018;5. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00316
Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(3):219-24. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832
Quirt J, Hildebrand KJ, Mazza J, Noya F, Kim H.Asthma.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2018;14(Suppl 2):50. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0279-0
Yamaguchi K, Ogasawara M.The role of histamine in the pathophysiology of asthma and the clinical efficacy of antihistamines in asthma therapy.Int J Mol Sci.2019 Apr;20(7):1733. doi:10.3390/ijms20071733
McBrien CN, Menzies-Gow A.The biology of eosinophils and their role in asthma.Front Med.2017 Jun 30;4:93. doi:10.3389/fmed.2017.00093
Castillo JR, Peters SP, Busse WW.Asthma exacerbations: pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2017 July-August;5(4):918–27. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.05.001
American Lung Association.When to see your doctor about asthma.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American.Allergy diagnosis.
Comas-Basté O, Sánchez-Pérez S, Veciana-Nogués M, Latorre-Moratalla M, Vidal-Carou M.Histamine intolerance: the current state of the art.Biomolecules. 2020;10(8):1181. doi:10.3390/biom10081181
Fischer D, Van der Leek TK, Ellis AK, Kim H.Anaphylaxis.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(2):54. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0283-4
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
