134 replies to this topic

[NdnRomeo]

This thread may not apply to everyone, but rather a small portion of people. If you fall into any of these categories, pay attention.

Do any of these apply to you?

Signs and symptoms of histamine imbalance

high histamine

* Sneeze in bright sunlight
* Feel you were a shy and over sensitive teenager
* Cry, salivate and feel nauseous easily
* Hear our pulse in your head on the pillow at night
* Get referred itching when you scratch your leg
* Have frequent stomach aches, muscle cramps and back pains
* Have any easy orgasm with sex
* Have regular headaches and seasonal allergies
* Have inner tension and occasional depression
* Have abnormal fears, compulsions, and rituals
* Think you are a light sleeper
* Burns up food rapidly
* Sometimes have suicidal thoughts
* Tolerate a lot of alcohol and other downers
* Have little body hair and lean build
* Have long fingers and toes


http://www.iwdl.net/histamine.htm
_


I'm starting to look into the various causes of acne, and it seems there are 5 major causes

1. androgens (all hormones)
2. diet (related closely to hormonal acne)
3. stress
4. allergies (food and environmental allergies or sensitivities)
5. temperature/climate/sunlight (uv rays)

This thread deals with the 4th symptom that I believe many of us should probably be more concerned about.

You've probably had a feeling where because you've eaten something, your skin has gotten more oily within hours. Or maybe during the day you get oilier, but during the night, it's fine. It may actually not be all in your head.

After reading this thread:

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=296667

It's gotten me very interested, but I wanted to look into the direct connection that deals with acne, and allergies. So I'll be posting information after this post about how they relate (in the 2nd post).

But I wanted to make this post a concise one. I've been experimenting with it because I was suspecting allergies contribute to my acne.

I know this because:

• First of all, I have allergies. I get symptoms like watery eyes, sneezing, sunlight sensitivity, etc.
• In the past 8 years that I've had allergies, I've also had acne.
• The severity of my allergies related to the severity of my acne.
• During the day I usually have an allergic reaction, during the night it's gone. And my oil production follows.

The other thing is, you don't have to show typical symptoms, to have a sensitivity or an allergic reaction.

If you've noticed, compared to past generations, acne has become more prevailant, we all know this. Hence why there is the paleo diet concept, etc. There has been many things that have changed besides diet. First of all, environmental allergens have increased. Just look at the increase in air pollution, so much so this whole global warming phenom is happening. We are probably allergic to many things in the air that are irritants. Also, when it comes to food, there are a LOT more preservatives, even in whole foods! (from pestisides, etc).

So these two things have changed:

• Quantity of allergens in the air from increased toxicity and pollutants we breathe in and are bombarded against.
• The increased chemical consumption from foods due to pesticides and chemical preservatives.

It could also be an allergic reaction to a particular food group.

How allergies relate directly to acne:

There are a few ways in which allergic reactions play a part in acne (this is just in theory):

1) Allergies or sensitivities to certain foods, substances, or chemicals ingested will cause a fight in your system, which causes your body to not absorb the nutrients your body needs to function properly. Maybe that is why you see a correlation of skinny people and acne?
Because they do not absorb the nutrients that they eat. Or just maybe that they don't eat right to begin with. But after eating right, and there still is a problem, this could be it. Just a theory.

A good example Apple Blossom's thread:
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/MY-SKIN-H...st-t152027.html

Her direct statement to me:

Hey! The wheat was acting like a poison to my system, because I was sensitive to it. Because I was eating wheat every few days, my system was always fighting the wheat and never absorbing any nutrients during the meal.

In our case, since we do not know what we allergic to, the antihistamine will simulate avoiding every single allergen. (Catch my drift?). The best way obviously is to go get tested, but this may be a cheap alternative.

My guess is that sensitivities release histamines that create this negative reaction to avoid metabolizing nutrients and using them. So naturally antihistamines stop the release of histamines from food sensitivities, so everything is regulated.

2) Allergic reactions to food or environmental factors set off a reaction to produce excess oil through the flushing of blood vessels. (if you are in fact allergic to something in the air, or in your food, or a food group itself).

“Symptoms of increased histamine release include impurities
(characteristically produced by bathing or showering), heartburn, acid
eructation, peptic ulcer, small bowel hypermotility, flushing and
angioneurotic edema.”

http://members.aol.com/mpdsupport/tthrom.html

See my post on histamine. If my theory is correct, those who are sensitive to histamine experience flushing after consuming foods high in histamine. Flushing means dilated blood vessels, which means increased sebum production....and acne as the result.

Histamine acts mainly on two receptor sites: H1 (blood vessels, lungs etc) H1 receptors are the ones that cause the symptoms of hayfever and the blushing effect of niacin, as the blood vessels dilate.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=296667

“High histamine levels can be gradually reduced over time if the cause
of the "allergic" (autoimmune) reaction can be found. In my case it
was determined that I had trouble metabolizing sulfur (contained in
many foods) and had an excess of a chemical called histadine which is
also contained in many foods, especially breads. The sulfur and
histadine in the foods I ate caused my body to produce large
quantities of histamine. This isn't really an allergic reaction in the
typical sense. Tomatoes, wheat, milk and citrus fruits all contain
high quantities of sulfur which caused my body to produce large
quantities of histamine. To reduce my histamine level, I had to
eliminate these foods from my diet “

http://www.goldbaum.net/balance/Whats_Histamine.html


3) "Acne is a common result of food allergies due to the fact that the skin acts as an elimination organ. Simply put, when an individual eats a food to which they are allergic, a toxic reaction occurs which leads to the immune system setting up its defenses for protection. In this case, instead of fighting an organism; such as would cause an illness like the flu, the body begins working to expel the toxins from the food. Inflammation in the skin begins, ultimately leading to pus filled pustules."
http://www.absoluteacneinfo.com/diet/allergies.html

This is a combo of one and two.

I'll post more information in the next post.

Foods high in histamines

Fruit: Bananas, canned and fresh pineapple, plum, grapes, kiwifruit,
avocado, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries,
blackcurrants, oranges, guava, mango, passionfruit, dried fruit.
Jams:All except apricot.
Vegetables:Tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts,
cauliflower, eggplant, broadbeans, pickled vegetables eg sauerkraut.
Nuts &Seeds: All including peanut butter and tahini
Dairy:All cheeses and cheese spreads, yoghurt flavoured with nuts,
muesli containing nuts or above fruits, chocolate yogo, banana
strawberry and chocolate flavoured milk, fruit smoothies.
Fish & Seafood: All including canned, fried and salted fish and seafood.
Chocolate:All forms including Cocoa and Milo.
Processed Meats: All including devon, salami, sausages, ham, chicken
loaf, turkey loaf.
Condiments:All chutneys and also malted or coloured vinegar,
mayonnaise & tartare sauce.
Fermented Foods: Yeast extracts eg Marmite, Vegemite, fish paste, fish
sauce, soy sauce, meat gravy.
Drinks:All wine and beer (all fermented beverages). Juices of all
fruit listed above.

http://www.cs.nsw.gov.au/csls/handbook/Fac...w.asp?Number=44

The experiment:

But either way, I've been experimenting with an anti-histamine for the past week or so. Again, after researching, I've decided that Alavert would be the best to experiment with.

I chose alavert because it's a "Second-generation H1-receptor antagonists".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-histamine

A brief overview. There are H1 antihistamines and H2 antihistamines.

H1-antihistamines are clinically used in the treatment of histamine-mediated allergic conditions. Specifically, these indications may include: (Rossi, 2004)

* allergic rhinitis
* allergic conjunctivitis
* allergic dermatological conditions (contact dermatitis)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-histamine

H1 deals with the skin, directly.

There are also 3 generations of H1 antihistamines. 1st gen H1 is not so good since you get adverse side effects, like falling sleepy, etc. They are not too direct. 2nd gen H1's are superior because they do not give you side effects but give the same relief!

This (2nd gen h1) selectivity significantly reduces the occurrence of adverse drug reactions compared with first-generation agents, while still providing effective relief of allergic conditions.

So this is why I chose Alavert (24 hour).

After your hormones are in control, chances are that you should not get excess oil production, but you may actually still have some. I took Alavert 5 days straight, and noticed that my oil production was normal, during the day and at night. I stopped a few days ago, and my oil production slowly started to increase again after the 2nd day, and I started gaining back my scalp acne, and a greasy face on the 3rd, there was just way too much coincidence for it to be luck. It was gross, and I knew this could be the reason. But there is obviously no conclusion, but I will continue on this experiment.

Again, it's too soon to tell, so that's why this is under experiment. I won't stop again, and I will keep going. I looked further to see if this was just a correlation, or possibly a real reason. I'm still testing this out, but I want more people to try as well, because you may has a sensitivity or an allergic reaction to a food group, or many of these reasons combined.

Because hey, it already has worked for a couple of people!

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...=75027&st=0
^ whole thread

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php...st&p=877511

This is true! Over the summer I stopped taking Alavert for about 6 days and I COMPLETELY broke out. I was literally 100% acne free when I stopped the Alavert and my acne came back with a vengeance. As expected, my active acne went away once I resumed Alavert.

I will post some things I've found in the next post relating to this topic.

[NdnRomeo]

I'll reserve this post for random things I find in the allergy/acne relation.

1) An anti-histamine method for treating acne.
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6440994.html

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of treating acne and other inflammatory skin diseases is provided which comprises administering to a patient in need of treatment an anti-leukotriene or antihistamine agent, or other anti-inflammatory agent alone or in combination, preferably twice a day, preferably for at least two months.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Current treatment outcomes in patients with acne vulgaris are not consistent nor fully explained with present day therapy. Immunological factors appear to play a more important role than previously recognized. Because acne is an inflammatory skin disease, we investigated the use of anti-inflammatory agents on the treatment of acne. The anti-inflammatory agent we investigated most fully included the anti-leukotriene, zafirlukast.

With the onset of puberty and under the direction of androgenic hormones sebaceous glands enlarge secondary to increased triglyceride formation. Triglycerides are then hydrolyzed to free fatty acids by the enzyme hyaluronidase from p. acnes. With the release of hyaluronidase by p. acnes, hyaluronic acid present in cell coats breaks down. Free fatty acids are not truly immunogenic by themselves but become so by virtue of their chemical reactivity with self skin proteins thereby creating larger conjugates..sup.4 Increasing complexity as well as host genetic factors contribute to a molecules immunogenicity. In the presence of this free fatty acid moiety, or immunogen, cell surface antibodies or immune system cells become reactive, triggering the release of leukotrienes, histamines, and other vasoactive substances. Tissue congestion occurs compromising the orifice of the pilosebaceous complex ultimately creating an impaction at the follicle. The microcomedo, or acne precursor lesion, is the resultant product of this process. Extravasation of the contents of the pilosebaceous unit into the surrounding dermis results in the inflammatory acne lesion. Eventually, follicle walls rupture and acne nodules develop. Supportation of the acne nodule results in the acne cyst.

Because the inflammatory response of the acne lesion is mediated by the release of leukotrienes, and histamines, then the introduction of anti-leukotrienes and/or antihistamines will effectively prevent the formation of new acne lesions and exert a significant impact on the resolution of old lesions.

2) Omega 3 and anti-histamine conjunction is most suitable. omega 6 imbalance relates to histamine imbalance as well. Antihistamines are temporary in terms of results, but a good mirror for a balanced omega 3 body. Both together work best.
http://www.healthyontario.com/Health_Featu...ural_Relief.htm

This extreme sensitivity is the result of an internal auto-immune imbalance. Over-the-counter anti-histamine medications provide short-term relief but do nothing to address the cause of allergy symptoms.

“When treating seasonal allergies with holistic medicine, it’s best to combine two strategies,” says Prousky, “by alleviating the immediate symptoms, and also by treating the person as a whole.”

Histamine levels and PGE1 levels (made from Omega 6 essential fatty acids) have recently been shown to move in the same direction. The same natural substances raise and lower both histamine and PGE1 in the brain and body. Their interrelationship is significant as we set out to repair the many psychological and psychiatric problems that their abnormal levels trigger in us.

“Improving overall health results in a longer-term reduction of the body’s allergenic response,” says Prousky. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, can help prevent allergic flare-ups by helping the body settle inflammation and heal

3) Allergic reactions include oily skin. Though it deals with cats, they are similar to us in that they also get acne.
http://life.familyeducation.com/cats/health/45705.html

However, some common allergy symptoms include the following:

Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)
Skin eruptions
Oily skin

4) Food allergies release Histamines, hence why antihistamines work very well.
http://ific.org/foodinsight/2003/ja/foodsensfi403.cfm

True food allergy: True food allergy occurs when a susceptible person is exposed to a specific protein component of a food. The body mistakes the protein (the allergen) as a threat producing an antibody to it. With repeated exposures to the offending food, the body becomes primed to release histamine and other powerful biochemicals in response to the allergenic food. It is these chemicals that cause the allergy symptoms. True food allergies are not all that common: and affect less than 2 percent of adults, 4 to 8 percent of young children and infants. The most common causes of food allergy are listed in Table 1 shown on page 4.

[Amazing And Necessary]

Although I'm not totally sure if allergies help create acne, I know that allergies can stop you from getting rid of it. I'm allergic to BP and Sulfur drugs, and those are used in acne medications (and in the Regimen) so I can't use them to get rid of acne.

[notadoctor]

Do you think that sunlight makes acne worse for people? I could not tell from your post?

Whatever the case, I truly believe that sunlight is of great benefit for people with acne. Vitamin D majorly helps skin and the rest of your body.

[strider1]

Why are you not using Aloe vera + a few drops of cetaphil anymore?

[NdnRomeo]

Do you think that sunlight makes acne worse for people? I could not tell from your post?

Whatever the case, I truly believe that sunlight is of great benefit for people with acne. Vitamin D majorly helps skin and the rest of your body.

Sunlight is generally alright, I think the main culprit is UV rays associated with sunlight. A good sunscreen should stop that.

For those with acne problems, sun exposure is not the idealized treatment it was thought to be. In addition to aging the skin and potentially causing skin cancer, the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun can actually increase sebum production and sun-damaged skin cells can block pores.

Temporary acne relief may last for the first few days after sun exposure, but acne generally returns quickly, and sometimes more severely. Acne-prone skin, just like any skin, should be protected from UV damage by using oil-free products containing a good SPF of at least 15.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Acne-Myths-Expos...e&id=293141

Why are you not using Aloe vera + a few drops of cetaphil anymore?

I had to make a decision. using aloe vera as a carrier generaly thins out cetaphil. If you don't get any flakies at the end of the day from this combination, it's perfect because it's not greasy anymore. But I realized I still get flakes so I have to use the 100% solution right after showering, so it prevents dead skin at the end of the day. It actually sinks in well too, but I hate it because I still do feel a tad bit greasy with it. I'm left with no choice

[luppe]

If you guys think Claritin and other products are too expensive, there's something called AllerClear, it's the same thing as Claritin (24 hour relief, non-drowsy) and uses the same active ingredient: Loratadine 10 mg.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NYOKSQ/ref=no...mp;linkCode=asn

Its 300 tablets for $18

pretty good

[NdnRomeo]

If you guys think Claritin and other products are too expensive, there's something called AllerClear, it's the same thing as Claritin (24 hour relief, non-drowsy) and uses the same active ingredient: Loratadine 10 mg.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NYOKSQ/ref=no...mp;linkCode=asn

Its 300 tablets for $18

pretty good

That is a great price!! I have been looking for cheap Loratadine capsules Alavert is a bit pricey too, which contains the same as claritin.

If this alavert experiment works, I will switch to these. Thank you!!

I love the price too, and the review

Loratadine is an antihistamine that is used for typical allergy symptoms, such as a stuffy or runny nose, itchy watery eyes, scratchy throat (due to allergies), and rashes, itching, and hives. (It can also be used in some cases to limit asthma attacks).

Antihistamines block the release of histamine, a naturally occurring substance in the body that produces all the allergy symptoms we want to get rid of.

There are several antihistamines you can purchase over the counter, Loratadine is a second generation antihistamine, and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is the older first generation product. Loratadine will be a bit more expensive than diphenhydramine, as it is the newer of the two. However, I believe it is a much superior product because is has so few side effects.

The usual dose of Loratadine is 10 mg a day. This offers an advantage over the first generation antihistamines (Benadryl), in that they are dosed every 8 hours. The main and most significant advantage of Loratadine over the first generation antihistamines is that Loratadine will not cause drowsiness and has less overall side effects and less adverse interactions with other medications (and alcohol).

People with liver disease should discuss the use of Loratadine with their doctor. Pregnant women should avoid using Loratadine as studies have shown a risk to the fetus.

Loratadine is very effective in treating allergy symptoms. I like the non-sedating quality and the once daily dosing.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig

It's like good for an entire year. Cool!

[pimpmypimple]

dude your such a helpful guy, i ahve learned alot from you on here

[NdnRomeo]

dude your such a helpful guy, i ahve learned alot from you on here

Thanks man I'm doing the best I can to spread existing knowledge. Hopefully this will be a closer step in an all encompassing acne prevention, since there is no "cure" for acne, but an umbrella prevention that is cost effective, and not expensive, would be the ultimate! I think it's possible, I have huge hopes.

[the who?]

I think this would be a good way to test if your acne is caused by an allergy (assuming it would prevent breakouts if it is).

However, once you've identified that it is indeed allergy induced, it would be smarter to avoid the allergen if possible than to continue masking the symptoms with anti-histamines.

Good luck

[notadoctor]

I am still not so sure that sunlight does any real harm to acne sufferers. I read the article, and am still not convinced.

If non-westernized people who are in the sun all-day long do not get acne, I doubt that it actually affects acne in a bad way. Even my dermatologist suggested that I go out in the sun more. He is the head professor for dermatology at UW-Madison. He is quite old, but he does know his stuff. He was actually even one of the doctors in the original accutane study.

But regardless, I think that getting out in the sun does help acne, as long as you are not getting sun burned all of the time. And, I am not sure that sun-screen helps acne. I know a few people that started going to tanning beds and are now completely acne free. I am not into tanning beds, but it still shows that sunlight helps.

However, I do think that allergies might make a difference, maybe not air-borne allergies but quite possibly food allergies.

If you are going to worry about so many things causing acne, you are probably going to get quite stressed out. I think you need to worry less and stick to one thing that is shown to make a difference. Like try a low-carb diet, and I know you are already trying Omega 3's to see if they help, but don't get so worked up about every possible factor and every slight thing that could make a difference to your skin, or it is gonna control your life.

[NdnRomeo]

I think this would be a good way to test if your acne is caused by an allergy (assuming it would prevent breakouts if it is).

However, once you've identified that it is indeed allergy induced, it would be smarter to avoid the allergen if possible than to continue masking the symptoms with anti-histamines.

Good luck

Hm, well the way it works is say that it does work (the antihistamine). Then you go get an allergy test. What they do is test for what you are allergic for environmentally, usually they come out with a handful of symptoms. They give you shots for those so either way you are reliant on medication and it's a lot more pricey. That is inevitable.

For food allergies, that is true, if it is a food group, finding out what it is, and then avoiding it would be best.

[NdnRomeo]

I am still not so sure that sunlight does any real harm to acne sufferers. I read the article, and am still not convinced.

If non-westernized people who are in the sun all-day long do not get acne, I doubt that it actually affects acne in a bad way. Even my dermatologist suggested that I go out in the sun more. He is the head professor for dermatology at UW-Madison. He is quite old, but he does know his stuff. He was actually even one of the doctors in the original accutane study.

But regardless, I think that getting out in the sun does help acne, as long as you are not getting sun burned all of the time. And, I am not sure that sun-screen helps acne. I know a few people that started going to tanning beds and are now completely acne free. I am not into tanning beds, but it still shows that sunlight helps.

However, I do think that allergies might make a difference, maybe not air-borne allergies but quite possibly food allergies.

If you are going to worry about so many things causing acne, you are probably going to get quite stressed out. I think you need to worry less and stick to one thing that is shown to make a difference. Like try a low-carb diet, and I know you are already trying Omega 3's to see if they help, but don't get so worked up about every possible factor and every slight thing that could make a difference to your skin, or it is gonna control your life.

Yes, of course, sunlight is great (in limited quantities). I believe it's the UV rays that are a major threat. I am sure your derm would recommend wearing sun screen.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/0199.html
Ohio State University:

A large body of research indicates that exposure to ultra-violet (UV) rays damages the body’s largest organ, the skin. Sun exposure can be related to forty pathological skin conditions including phototoxicity (extreme sunburn acquired during brief exposure to UV light while on certain medications), photoallergy (skin rash), and basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.

Sunscreens block both UVA and UVB rays either by reflecting them away or by absorbing the ultraviolet rays and converting them into harmless heat. While sunscreens may protect against UV-induced inflammation and other types of skin damage, they may not necessarily prevent UV suppression of immune processes that normally prevent development of melanoma.

So though sunlight is good in normal quantities, protection against inflammation and UV rays is necessary with sunscreen and that sun exposure should be kept to a minimum because regardless of a sun screen, prolonged sun exposure in general will lead to damage and possibly skin cancer.

It's one of those catch 22's, the double edged sword,
http://www.nas.nasa.gov/About/Education/Ozone/radiation.html
"There is no such thing as a safe tan"

One undisputed effect of long-term sun exposure is the premature aging of the skin due to both UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. Even careful tanning kills skin cells, damages DNA and causes permanent changes in skin connective tissue which leads to wrinkle formation in later life. There is no such thing as a safe tan.

Good nasa article too. I can see how it helps acne, but more so in a negative dangerous way since it probably damages skin to the point where conditions for acne is not possible (dry skin, damaged epidermis), though, this is not a good method to go about it as it leads to other issues.

[jodiat]

Romeo your seem like your on a mission recently, dont get overworked by acne mate or youll be in crack up ranch soon. (tho a commend thee)

[NdnRomeo]

Romeo your seem like your on a mission recently, dont get overworked by acne mate or youll be in crack up ranch soon. (tho a commend thee)

lol I'm already there for many years

[jodiat]

haha man I thought I recognised you...

[Mr. Bigger]

NdnRomeo, is this what you are experimenting with?

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp...;id=prod1904192

If so, I'll be on my way to Wallgreens in a few minutes lol.

How many tablets do you take and how many times a day? Also, how far apart from taking the Omega 3 Fish Oils?

[NdnRomeo]

NdnRomeo, is this what you are experimenting with?

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp...;id=prod1904192

If so, I'll be on my way to Wallgreens in a few minutes lol.

How many tablets do you take and how many times a day? Also, how far apart from taking the Omega 3 Fish Oils?

The drugstores are all stocked with an 18 pack (used to be 12, but you get 6 free). I think it should be a bit cheaper too in stores. I believe mine was for around $8. I can't remember exactly though. And just one each day (24 hours). The only downside I see to it is that I get a very subtle psuedo headache, it's nothing major or minor, but it's there to a tiny extent, it still beats the drowsiness of benadryl x 10.

If it works for you or you suspect it is working after you finish the course, order the link posted above, the 300 count (it will be cheaper in the long run).

Here's another one at walgreens (10 for $4):

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp...p;id=prod402477

Loratadine 10 mg (same as alavert, or claritin).

And for long term use:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NYOKSQ/ref=no...mp;linkCode=asn

300 for $20

[Adam82]

Wow, it's funny when some of these old ideas come 'round again. I remember trying this when this idea first circulated. I beleive it helped to an extent. Admittedly, I never really stuck with it, but I found that I was a dead ringer for like 95% of the histadelic symptoms. What got me were the weird symptoms like sneezing in sunlight and hearing my heartbeat in my ear. It's an intersting theory.