Dietary changes may help

Submitted by admin on Sat, 11/20/2021 - 01:04

It is extremely rare for chronic urticaria (hives) to be caused by food allergies. For the majority of patients with chronic urticaria, dietary modifications are not recommended.1

Reducing histamine in the diet and increasing Vitamin D may help with hives symptoms.2,3 Elimination diets, which are free of pseudoallergens could also help, however it is difficult to predict who will respond.1

Avoidance of pseudoallergens

  • There is evidence that certain substances found in natural and processed foods may trigger chronic spontaneous urticaria, including food dyes, aromatic substances and preservatives. These are termed “pseudoallergens” because the immune system does not respond in the same way as it does during a true allergic reaction.4
  • Some studies have shown that people with the spontaneous form of chronic hives may benefit from a strict diet which avoids pseudoallergens.4,5

 

Low histamine diet

Some foods contain histamine, which is the chemical released by mast cells to produce hives. There is preliminary evidence that a low histamine diet may benefit people with chronic spontaneous urticaria, however this needs to be studied more.2

 

Vitamin D supplementation

There is some evidence that people with chronic hives have lower than normal levels of Vitamin D and that providing additional Vitamin D may benefit them.3,6

 

If you find that dietary changes are not relieving your symptoms, there are effective treatments. To receive these you need to be in the care of an immunologist or dermatologist. Speak to your GP about a referral to an urticaria specialist.

 

Explore on this site

Chronic urticaria (hives) treatment options Is there a cure for hives? Urticaria pathology and how it relates to treatment

 

Locate a specialist

Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Skin Cancer Foundation Australasian College of Dermatologists

 

References

  • Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. ASCIA HP Position Paper Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Guidelines 2020. Available from https://allergy.org.au/images/stories/pospapers/ASCIA_HP_Position_Paper_CSU_2020.pdf Accessed July 2024.
  • Wagner N et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2017; 31:650-655.
  • Rorie A et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2014; 112:376-382.
  • Magerl M et al. Allergy 2010; 65:78–83.
  • Zuberbier T et al. Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 1995; 75: 484-487.
  • Thorp WA et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010; 126:413; author reply 413e414.