Foods To Eat To Heal Chronic Hives

Chronic hives, a condition medical providers call chronic urticaria, can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and have a severe impact on quality of life. 

Unfortunately, there is still much to learn about this condition. 

Although there is no medically recognized diet or cure for chronic hives, some studies suggest that following a low-histamine diet may provide some relief.

Keep reading to learn what causes chronic hives and what foods may help.

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What Causes Chronic Hives?

Doctors may diagnose you with chronic hives if you break out into hives for an unknown reason for six weeks or more. 

While the exact cause of chronic hives is still being researched, experts agree that true food allergies are rarely the reason. 

However, they do agree that there is an autoimmune dysfunction that causes too much histamine to be released, causing the hives. 

Experts have identified several risk factors that may play a role in causing chronic hives:

• Autoimmune disorders.
• History of a tick bite.
• History of consuming raw, marinated, or smoked fish.
• Food allergies.

Other research suggests a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and alterations in the gut microbiome. 

How Adjusting Your Diet Can Help

Changing your diet may not cure your chronic hives. However, you may find some relief.

A comprehensive review of over 1,600 people with chronic urticaria found that following elimination diets such as pseudo-allergen-free, low-histamine, and avoiding fish, along with using antihistamine therapy, showed promising results.

Overall, almost 5% of people in the study had a complete remission of their hives, and almost 40% had partial remission.

The two diets with the most promising results were the pseudo-allergen-free and low-histamine diets when adhered to for at least three weeks. 

A pseudo-allergen-free diet is cutting out certain foods that cause hypersensitivity or intolerance.

They are most commonly found in food additives, some fruits and vegetables, and spices. 

Experts do not have a recognized “low-histamine” diet, however, certain foods have lower levels of histamines that may be best to avoid for chronic hives. 

Additionally, it may be worthwhile to talk with your doctor about a possible vitamin D deficiency and to consider taking a probiotic to boost your gut health, as limited research suggests these may also be causes.

Foods To Eat For Chronic Hives

Because chronic hives are a complex issue, it's best to work with a health professional who can help you identify foods that may be triggering the outbreaks.

A Nourish dietitian can help develop a new way of eating that limits trigger foods while still meeting your nutritional needs. 

Because the issue is complex, this article highlights foods that are generally considered safe from causing a histamine reaction. 

However, you may want to also discuss other options with your dietitian or doctor, such as a pseudo-allergens-free diet, foods high in vitamin D, or foods rich in probiotics.

Most Fresh And Frozen Fruits

Most fresh and frozen fruits are considered low in histamines.

There are some fruits that are especially low in histamines, including:

• Apples.
• Pears.
• Cherries.
• Peaches.
• Apricots.
• Watermelon.
• Blueberries.

Most Fresh And Frozen Vegetables

Similar to fruits, most fresh and frozen vegetables are considered safe for a low-histamine diet.

Here is a list of vegetables that contain the least amount of histamines:

• Lettuce.
• Cauliflower.
• Broccoli.
• Chicory.
• Carrots.
• Garlic.
• Onion.
• Cucumber.
• Pumpkin.
• Zucchini.
• Peppers.
• Radish.
• Artichoke.
• Rhubarb.
• Asparagus.

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Cooked Eggs

Fresh eggs are considered low in histamines.

However, it’s important to make sure they are fresh and thoroughly cooked, as older eggs run a higher risk of histamine formation.

Fresh Meat

Most fresh meats are safe for a low-histamine diet.

However, like eggs, it’s important to make sure your meat is fresh or immediately frozen. 

Meat that’s been cured, smoked, aged, or left in the refrigerator can contain higher levels of histamines. 

Fresh meats to prioritize include:

• Poultry (chicken and turkey).
• Veal.
• Beef.
• Lamb.
• Pork.

Fresh Fish

Several fresh fish are considered to be low in histamines. 

However, because some studies suggest avoiding fish for chronic hives, you may want to keep notes on how your body reacts to eating fish and discuss with your dietitian if eating fish is right for you. 

Fish low in histamines include:

• Cod.
• Trout.
• Zander.
• Halibut.

Carbohydrates

Several whole grains are generally considered low in histamines and safe for a low-histamine diet. 

However, some processed grains may contain food additives that cause an intolerance or hypersensitivity and trigger hives. 

Keep a food journal to track how your body reacts to eating grains, and ask your doctor or dietitian if you should include certain grains in your diet.

Carbohydrates lower in histamines include:

• Bread.
• Potatoes.
• Rice.
• Pasta.
• Cereals.
• Millet.
• Buckwheat.
• Corn.

Dairy

Yogurt and soft cheeses are low in histamines.

However, it’s important that you only eat fresh yogurts and soft cheeses. 

If possible, it may be best to buy these items from sources where you know the freshness of the products.

Beverages

Water is low in histamines and is necessary for so many bodily functions and your overall health. 

Several other drinks are also considered low in histamines:

• Coffee.
• Tea.
• Homemade juice from allowed fruits and vegetables.

Tips For Incorporating These Foods Into Your Diet

Here are several tips to follow to help you incorporate low-histamine foods into your diet:

• Focus on fresh: It’s important to prioritize fresh fruits, veggies, meats, and dairy products as the longer these foods sit the more histamines they may accumulate.
• Cook at home: Cooking at home gives you more control over your ingredients, the freshness of the foods, and helps you avoid possible histamines or preservatives.
• Keep a food journal: Tracking your food intake and any symptoms you experience helps you and your dietitian identify possible food sensitivities. 
• Work with a registered dietitian: A dietitian can create a personalized eating plan that incorporates foods that don’t trigger your hives while meeting your nutritional needs. 

Foods To Avoid with Chronic Hives

While individual reactions can vary, experts have identified several foods and food groups that tend to worsen chronic hives.

These include:

• Alcohol.
• Tomatoes.
• Food additives (artificial coloring and preservatives)
• Some herbs and spices.
• Fermented foods (aged cheeses, dry sausage, fermented soy products).

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Takeaway

Chronic hives can be a difficult condition to manage. 

While experts continue to seek answers for the cause and appropriate treatments, several studies suggest that following a low-histamine diet can have beneficial effects.

However, individual responses vary, and some may benefit more from avoiding foods with pseudo-allergens or fish.  

Consulting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian is recommended to create a personalized plan that addresses your specific needs and sensitivities.

How A Dietitian Can Help

A registered dietitian can partner with you in managing your chronic hives through dietary modifications. 

Ways they can help include:

• Helping identify possible food triggers.
• Creating a personalized low-histamine or other diet based on your needs and preferences.
• Ensure you are meeting your nutritional needs.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance throughout your journey.

‍Find a Nourish dietitian who accepts your insurance.