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Review
. 2023 May 19;12(10):3566.
doi: 10.3390/jcm12103566.

Migraine, Allergy, and Histamine: Is There a Link?

Alessandro Ferretti  1 , Mattia Gatto  2 , Margherita Velardi  3 , Giovanni Di Nardo  1 , Thomas Foiadelli  4 , Gianluca Terrin  5 , Manuela Cecili  1 , Umberto Raucci  3 , Massimiliano Valeriani  6 , Pasquale Parisi  1
Affiliations
Review

Migraine, Allergy, and Histamine: Is There a Link?

Alessandro Ferretti et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

The relationship between migraines and allergies is controversial. Though they are epidemiologically linked, the underlying pathophysiological connection between them remains unclear. Migraines and allergic disorders have various underlying genetic and biological causes. As per the literature, these conditions are epidemiologically linked, and some common pathophysiological pathways have been hypothesized. The histaminergic system may be the clue to understanding the correlation among these diseases. As a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system with a vasodilatory effect, histamine has a well-documented influence on the allergic response and could be involved in the pathophysiology of migraines. Histamine may influence hypothalamic activity, which may play a major role in migraines or may simply influence their severity. In both cases, antihistamine drugs could prove useful. This review examines whether the histaminergic system, particularly H3 and H4 receptors, may provide a mechanistic link between the pathophysiology of migraines and allergic disorders, two common and debilitating conditions. Identifying their connection could help identify novel therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: allergic disorders; allergy; antihistamine drugs; histamine; histaminergic system; migraine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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