Foods to eat and avoid with chronic idiopathic urticaria

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Diet may play a role in certain cases of CIU. According to a 2020 article, food allergies or reactions are a rare cause of CIU but may sometimes play a part.

Oral or topical antihistamines are the first-line treatment for CIU. Altering diet may be helpful alongside medical treatments.

A 2021 study found that a low histamine diet may help. This involves avoiding foods rich in histamines and foods that may trigger the release of histamine in the body.

Histamine is a compound present in the body.

The immune system releases histamine in response to a threat, such as an infection, or when there is no threat, as in the case of an allergic reaction. Hives can form due to this release.

Certain foods contain higher levels of histamine than others. A low histamine diet includes foods with lower histamine levels and eliminates those with higher levels.

Some research suggests lowering the intake of histamine through the diet may help reduce histamine levels in the body and help manage hives.

A small-scale 2018 study looked at the effects of a low histamine diet on 22 people with chronic hives. The participants were not allowed to eat foods containing high histamine levels for 4 weeks.

The researchers recorded the severity of hives and histamine levels in the blood before and after the diet. They found that the low histamine diet resulted in reduced severity of hives and a significant reduction in histamine levels in the blood.

A low histamine diet may include the following foods:

• eggs
• rice
• millet
• beef
• salad ingredients, such as cucumber, radish, and lettuce
• unfermented soy products, such as soy milk and tofu
• sorghum
• milk
• certain fish, such as sole, cod, and pollack

Anecdotal reports also suggest that fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, and other foods not high in histamine may also be acceptable.

On a low histamine diet, people avoid foods with high levels of histamine, which includes:

• some seafood, such as canned fish and fish with darker meat
• fermented foods, including fermented soy, aged cheeses, and dry sausage
• tomatoes
• eggplant
• spinach
• avocado

Some research suggests that certain foods may trigger the release of histamine, including:

• citrus fruits
• papaya
• tomato
• strawberries
• pineapple
• nuts
• chocolate

However, there is currently a lack of human studies to support the idea that foods can trigger the release of histamine.

According to a 2020 article, a pseudoallergy is not a true allergy. Instead, it produces a nonallergic reaction in which the immune system overreacts to a stimulus.

A pseudoallergen elimination diet excludes foods that can act as psuedoallergens, such as certain spices, fruits, vegetables, and artificial additives.

Experts are not clear on the exact effects of pseudoallergens within the body, but some believe they may play a role in triggering hives in some people.

The article states that pseudoallergen elimination diets have proved effective in reducing hives and causing complete or partial remission. They may be a potential treatment alongside medication.

If people want to try using an elimination diet for hives, it is important that they speak with a healthcare professional.

Elimination diets may restrict important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, so it is best to try them briefly and work alongside a healthcare professional.

Diet may play a role in helping manage chronic idiopathic urticaria. Elimination diets that cut out pseudoallergens and foods high in histamine may help relieve symptoms.

People may try these diets for a few weeks and then begin to reintroduce foods to see if symptoms return.

It is best to work alongside a healthcare professional when using elimination diets to help avoid nutritional deficiencies.