Have you ever looked at your child and thought, "Why are they breaking out in hives again? Why the tummy troubles, the mood swings, the mystery headaches?"
You’ve ruled out allergies. You’ve tried diet changes. Maybe you’ve even been told, “It’s just stress” or “they’ll grow out of it.”

But what if it’s none of those things?
What if your child is reacting to something their body can’t clear out properly — something called histamine?

Let’s break it down in plain English — no med school required.

What Is Histamine Intolerance?

Histamine is a natural chemical in the body. It helps with digestion, immune responses, and even brain function. So it’s not all bad!

But here’s the kicker: if your child can’t break histamine down properly, it builds up in their system like a messy playroom — and starts causing chaos. This is called histamine intolerance.

Think of it like this: your child eats something healthy like spinach (yep, even healthy foods can be high in histamine), but instead of breaking it down smoothly, their body stores it up. Before you know it — BOOM — headaches, hives, tummy pain.

The real culprit? A little enzyme called DAO (diamine oxidase). It’s supposed to clean up excess histamine, especially in the gut. But when DAO levels are low, histamine starts running the show.

How Do You Know If Histamine Is the Problem?

It can be tricky, because histamine intolerance looks like a lot of other things. Here are some red flags to watch for:

Common Symptoms in Kids:

• Skin issues: hives, itchy rashes, eczema that flares randomly

• Tummy troubles: bloating, nausea, diarrhea, reflux after “normal” meals

• Mood & brain stuff: headaches, anxiety, dizziness, brain fog

• Sleep issues: restlessness, nightmares, waking up drenched in sweat

• Breathing stuff: runny nose, sneezing, stuffy sinuses (even without a cold)

• Hormonal shifts: mood changes around puberty or cycles (yes, even in tweens)

Symptoms can come and go, and they often get worse after eating certain foods or during high-stress times (hello, test season or sleepovers).

Why Doctors Often Miss It

Histamine intolerance isn’t something most pediatricians test for. There's no “gold standard” blood test, and symptoms mimic so many other issues — allergies, IBS, anxiety, eczema.

So parents like you bounce from one specialist to the next, searching for answers, but getting nowhere. (Sound familiar?)

.What Triggers Histamine Buildup?

A few things can lower DAO enzyme levels or add too much histamine to the mix:

1. Gut health issues

Leaky gut, gut bacteria imbalances, or SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) can all block DAO production.

2. Nutrient deficiencies

Your child may not be getting enough Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, or copper — all needed to make DAO.

3. Hormonal changes

Estrogen can ramp up histamine. That’s why girls often get worse symptoms around their cycles or puberty.

4. High-histamine foods

These include aged cheeses, leftovers, fermented foods, smoked meats, tomatoes, avocado, and even strawberries.

5. Certain medications

Some antibiotics, antidepressants, and pain meds (like ibuprofen) can block DAO.

How Do You Figure Out What’s Going On?

Functional medicine testing can give better clues.
We often look at:

• Histamine and DAO levels

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Gut health markers (like SIBO or leaky gut)

• Food sensitivities

But remember — this isn’t just about histamine numbers. It’s about your child’s whole system and how it’s handling the load.

What You Can Do to Help Your Child

Here’s where it gets empowering — you’re not stuck! There’s a whole-body, root-cause approach that can bring real relief.

💪 1. Heal the gut

• Add bone broth, collagen, and gut-healing nutrients like L-glutamine.

• Use probiotics that are low histamine, like Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium infantis.

• Address SIBO or yeast overgrowth if needed.

🧪 2. Support DAO activity

Make sure your child gets enough:

• Vitamin B6 (bananas, chicken, potatoes)

• Vitamin C (berries, bell peppers, supplements if needed)

• Copper (in seeds, nuts, and organ meats)

• Quercetin (a natural antihistamine found in apples and onions, or taken as a supplement)

🥗 3. Try a low-histamine diet — short term

This doesn’t have to be forever. Just a few weeks of avoiding high-histamine foods can bring huge relief and help you figure out their unique food triggers.

Focus on fresh meats, leafy greens, non-citrus fruits, and homemade meals (no leftovers for now).

😌 4. Lower stress & support detox

Stress adds fuel to the histamine fire. Help your child unwind with:

• Deep breathing or movement breaks

• Calm bedtime routines

• Gentle detox support: hydration, cruciferous veggies, and Epsom salt baths

The Bottom Line

Histamine intolerance isn’t “all in your head.”
And it’s not just one random symptom after another.
It’s a real issue with real root causes — and when we support the gut, balance nutrients, and take the right steps, our kids can feel better.

If you’re tired of playing medical mystery mom, let’s get you some answers.

📞 Book a no-charge Brain Challenge Breakthrough Consult with me today — and let’s find out what’s really going on with your child’s health.

👉 Book Now

You’re doing an amazing job, mama.
Let’s figure this out — together. 💛

References

https://www.rupahealth.com/post/a-functional-medicine-approach-to-histamine-intolerance

Jochum C. Histamine Intolerance: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Beyond. Nutrients. 2024 Apr 19;16(8):1219. doi: 10.3390/nu16081219. PMID: 38674909; PMCID: PMC11054089.

Maintz L, Novak N. Histamine and histamine intolerance. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 May;85(5):1185-96. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/85.5.1185. PMID: 17490952.

Comas-Basté O, Sánchez-Pérez S, Veciana-Nogués MT, Latorre-Moratalla M, Vidal-Carou MDC. Histamine Intolerance: The Current State of the Art. Biomolecules. 2020 Aug 14;10(8):1181. doi: 10.3390/biom10081181. PMID: 32824107; PMCID: PMC7463562.