Many people are struggling with sinus or nasal issues. Chronic congestion, a drippy or itchy nose, sinus headaches or nasal polyps are signs that something isn’t as it should be inside your nose.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the state of your nose:
Q: Are you a mouth breather at night? All the time? Sometimes, and you don’t know why? Do you wake up during the night or in the morning with nasal congestion?
A: Histamine can play a significant role in nasal blockage, and research supports the involvement of a variety of histamine receptors in the nasal airway. (1)
Q: Is your nose itchy? Drippy?
A: The role of histamine and mast cell degranulation is well researched and understood in allergic rhinitis (nasal inflammation). Nasal symptoms are one of the symptoms accepted in Mast Cell Activation diagnostic criteria (2), so if you have an itchy or drippy nose along with other unexplained symptoms, then it might be worth exploring the connection.
Q: Do you get sinus headaches? Has your doctor told you that you have sinus inflammation?
A: Mast cell activation is associated with chronic inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses (3). Sinus headaches can feel like pressure, throbbing and/or pain around your eyes, cheeks and forehead. It’s important to rule out a sinus infection, but if infection has been ruled out and you have frequent or ongoing pain, consider mast cell involvement.
Q: Do you have nasal polyps?
A: Nasal polyps are associated with mast cell degranulation (4). Mast cell degranulation can happen with allergies, but also occurs with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Steroids are sometimes suggested to manage the inflammation, or surgery is sometimes recommended to remove polyps, but they tend to grow back. If you would rather try to figure out why you have them in the first place, then you are in the right place.
We hope this short Q&A has opened your eyes to the possibility that your nasal and sinus issues might involve Histamine Intolerance or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
At Histamine Haven our diet is designed to be mast cell stabilizing. Give it a try for at least 1 month to see if your nose feels better. Check out our resources page here, and download our Histamine Haven Shopping List to get started.
Ready for a bit more that just eating low histamine for a few weeks? Want to learn more about histamine issues, and how it can play in to your symptoms you experience on a daily basis? Join our online community by clicking here. Loads of printable resources, a Master Class on the Histamine Connection. It's free to join!
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