1. Watch Out For Misdiagnosis
You tend to get excessive histamines in your system when eating fish. It occurs most often in tuna, mackerel, kingfish and marlin, though it can appear in other fish is well. It has also been known to appear in certain kinds of cheese, such as Swiss, and in improperly processed soy products. Because of that, it may make several people who eat the same meal sick at once and lead to the impression that food poisoning is the cause. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, hives, dizziness and a tingling feeling in the extremities. If you've eaten fish and believe that it's food poisoning, consider the possibility of histamine poisoning before seeking medication.
2. Take Antihistamines
Antihistamines are over-the-counter medication used in the treatment of allergies. They can be extremely effective here, working to stop the histamine from binding to the receptors in your nose and throat. They tend to work very quickly once released, but they only address the symptoms of histamine poisoning, not the root cause. Be prepared to keep taking antihistamines for at least a few days until the offending substance is completely out of your system. If the symptoms are extremely bad, then contact a doctor; he can give you prescription antihistamines, intravenous antihistamines or steroids, which work much more effectively than store-bought kinds.
3. Take Activated Charcoal
In severe cases, you can take activated charcoal, which is an herbal remedy designed to treat gas and upset stomachs. It can absorb the histamines and render them inert, passing them out of your body more quickly. Dosage varies, but somewhere between 10 to 30 grams is usually sufficient. Always consult with your doctor before taking activated charcoal; it may inadvertently absorb other medications you are taking for a different condition. It works best if taken quickly after the histamine poisoning, because the histamine has less of a chance to be absorbed into your system.
4. Avoid Antibiotics
Antibiotics can increase the histamine reaction in your body, especially augmentin, doxycyline, isoniazid and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Herbal supplements used as antibiotics may affect the problems as well, as can the consumption of alcohol (especially if you drink it during the same meal as the offending fish). If you're on a regime of antibiotics and come down with histamine poisoning, consult your doctor as to the best course of action. Otherwise, don't take any until the effects of histamine poisoning have passed.
