Chronic idiopathic urticaria is the medical definition of that skin manifestation that may appear on the skin in the form of pimples and swellings on certain parts of the body that itch and remain there for several weeks without the cause being known and whose symptoms may appear, fade and then reappear for a long time, sometimes for years.
Oft times hives can be ascribed to an allergic reaction, while chronic spontaneous hives can be triggered by various and unpredictable factors such as heat, cold, an exercise, pressure, or even stress
Although this type of condition is not based on an allergic reaction, taking action by modifying the diet can yield good results in relieving symptoms.
Some diets in particular are effective in reducing and containing symptoms.
The antihistamine diet: based on choosing foods with low histamine levels, it is a diet suitable for those who, to achieve the same result of stopping hives symptoms by reducing histamine, resort to antihistamine drugs.
However, a diet with foods low in histamine is indicated for all patients suffering from chronic urticaria.
But what foods fall under this type of diet? Bread, pasta, rice, fresh meat, the vegetables, some dairy products, some varieties of fish.
And which ones do not fit in? Cured meats and preserved meats, eggplant and tomatoes, spinach, yogurt and cheese, some kinds of fish such as tuna and anchovies, some kinds of fruits such as cherries and strawberries, canned foods, foods spiced or seasoned with vinegar or chili peppers or cinnamon, alcohol-based drinks, and even “fast food” foods.
Still other foods, certain medications that may promote histamine release or even limit breakdown at the hands of enzymes should be considered.
These include some preservatives and additives: tea, peanuts, egg whites, some beverages, and drugs such as aspirin or anti-inflammatories.
In some cases, even in the absence of food allergies, a food intolerance may occur with symptoms similar to those of an allergic reaction. This type of hypersensitivity, which can be explained by the presence in the diet of pseudoallergens, certain foods that can trigger reactions, and then additives, and preservatives and dyes, requires more attention to selecting not only the right foods but also the added components.
