Histamines! Gotta block them histamines

Okay, this may seem odd, it may not. Keep in mind that my knowledge of this topic stems solely from allergy medication commercials.

I’ve been led to believe that an allergic person, when exposed to X suffers from various symptoms. Because of their allergy to X, their body produces histamines which either cause or are an effect of itching, runny nose and eyes, sneezing, and the like.

Assuming all the above is true (thank you Madison Ave)…are antihistaimes and histaimine-blockers a good thing?

Sure, they prevent the sneezing, runny nose, and the like, but don’t our bodies produce these histamines for a reason? By blocking them (or anti-ing them), is it possible we’re preventhing something that should be happening? Or are reactions like these just a useless throwback that may have served a purpose at one time but do so no longer?

-Joe
sneeze

An allergy is an overreaction to some chemical stimulus. As such, it isn’t “normal” or desireable. In some cases, this overreaction can even belife-threatening. Antihistamines serve to re-establish some balance. Histamines are chemical messengers which serve multiple purposes in the body. Seehere for some more technical information.

Why do you use the plural “histamines”? I thought there was only one kind of histamine.