Histamine plasma levels and elimination diet in chronic idiopathic urticaria

Department of Immunology, University ‘Federico II’, Naples, ItalyObjective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an oligoantigenic and histamine-free diet onpatients affected with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).Design: Ten patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria were prescribed an oligoantigenic and histamine-free dietfor 21 days, followed by serial and controlled reintroduction of foods during a further 70 days. Modification inclinical illness as well as histamine plasma levels, post-heparin plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) and intestinalpermeability were evaluated.Results: The oligoantigenic and histamine-free diet induced a significant improvement of symptoms (P