histamine

noun

his·ta·mine | \ ˈhi-stə-ˌmēn

, -mən\

Definition of histamine

: a compound C₅H₉N₃ especially of mammalian tissues that causes dilation of capillaries, contraction of smooth muscle, and stimulation of gastric acid secretion, that is released during allergic reactions, and that is formed by decarboxylation of histidine

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In the case of allergies, chemicals like histamine, which your immune system produces in response to an allergen, can also induce sneezing. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Quick Question: Why Do We Sneeze?," 8 Mar. 2019 So can applying a hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion (to ease inflammation and irritation) and taking an oral antihistamine (to combat your body’s release of histamine, the chemical involved in allergic reactions). — Korin Miller, SELF, "7 Tips to Prevent Bee and Wasp Stings When Exploring the Great Outdoors," 10 Oct. 2018 This is because histamine levels increase with maturation. — Krissy Brady, SELF, "Is Your Food Allergy Really a Histamine Intolerance?," 27 July 2018 Foods high in vitamin C are known to combat inflammation, though Dr. Gluckman is skeptical that eating loads of oranges will lessen the swelling from a bite, since vitamin C doesn’t impact histamines, chemicals that trigger the immune system. — Heidi Mitchell, WSJ, "Is There an Alternative Way to Prevent Bug Bites?," 28 July 2018 This causes the immune system to stop making so many symptom-inducing IgE antibodies and to switch to IgG antibodies, which don’t trigger the release of histamine. — Amber Dance, Washington Post, "Peanut allergy is one of the most severe food allergies. New therapies might help.," 12 May 2018 On the second and subsequent occasions when peanut protein comes along, the mast cells recognize it and start producing histamine and other immune compounds. — Amber Dance, Washington Post, "Peanut allergy is one of the most severe food allergies. New therapies might help.," 12 May 2018 Earlier experiments in which people breathed in histamine found that just 24.5μg could affect breathing. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "More nightmare fuel: Bedbugs create cesspool of poop and histamine in your bed," 14 Feb. 2018 If emollient treatment fails, other options include topical and oral steroids, anti-histamines or oral itch suppressors, or even antibiotics. — Philly.com, "Bath additives not needed to treat eczema," 8 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'histamine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of histamine was circa 1913

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More Definitions for histamine

histamine

noun

English Language Learners Definition of histamine

medical : a chemical substance in the body that causes the symptoms that people experience when they are allergic to something

See the full definition for histamine in the English Language Learners Dictionary

histamine

noun

his·ta·mine | \ ˈhis-tə-ˌmēn

, -mən

Medical Definition of histamine

: a compound C₅H₉N₃ especially of mammalian tissues that causes dilatation of capillaries, contraction of smooth muscle, and stimulation of gastric acid secretion, that is released during allergic reactions, and that is formed by decarboxylation of histidine