Just discovered I have histamine intolerance after years of suffering

I don't know what to do anymore. I'm just taking Ketotifen 1mg daily now, otherwise my face bloats up instantly and I look like a completely different person - dull, puffy, and inflamed. My triggers:

Citric foods (lemon, oranges, tomatoes)

Starchy items (rice, potatoes, bread)

Milk/dairy (instant face bloat)

Dust, heat, humidity What happens when I eat these: Instant bloating on my face. My face looks like I don't know who I am - dull, lifeless, inflamed. I've lost 40% of my hair, and what's left is thinning. I look in the mirror and don't recognize myself. The breakthrough: Recently found out I have histamine intolerance. Started taking Ketotifen 1mg (H1 blocker) and 50% of my problems disappeared! I can finally tolerate sugar slightly better now. But here's the problem: I tried adding Famotidine (H2 blocker) and immediately got bloating again. Had to stop. So now I'm only on Ketotifen 1mg, nothing else. Skincare nightmare: I can't use ANY skincare products. Face wash, moisturizer - everything causes bloating. I'm stuck using only Dettol soap. Even "gentle" products make my face blow up. Current situation:

Only Dettol soap works for cleansing

No moisturizer (everything bloats me)

Stuck on just 1mg Ketotifen daily

Can't eat half the foods normal people eat

Hair still falling, face still dull when triggered I'm so frustrated. Anyone else with histamine intolerance who can't tolerate H2 blockers? What do you use for skincare? Will I ever be able to use a normal face wash or moisturizer again?

Posted Mar 5, 2026, 4:45 PM UTC

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