The best antihistamine for itchy skin can be challenging to find for many patients. Standard antihistamine treatments have an array of negative side effects to contend with, such as drowsiness and long-term dependence. However, people with skin-based allergens require treatment options to help them comfortably enjoy day-to-day life.
Skin itching can be caused as a result of contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, and exposure to other common substances, such as smoke, certain kinds of fabric, and chemicals. In some cases, the condition may become increasingly problematic, leading to conditions like chronic pruritus.
Medical professionals seeking to treat itchy skin must first rule out the risk of underlying illnesses, such as diabetes, anaemia, kidney disease, and liver disease. Once a cause for the discomfort is evident, finding the right treatment to alleviate symptoms is essential.
Why Natural Solutions are Best for Itchy Skin
The most common treatment for itchy skin and chronic allergic conditions is often the use of antihistamines, which help to reduce the immune system’s production of “histamine”. Antihistamines can minimize the inflammation and discomfort that histamine triggers in the skin, but they also often have side effects like:
- Blurred and double vision
- Headaches and dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth and eyes
- Heart palpitations
- Urinary problems and constipation
- Low blood pressure
- Mucous in the airways
Switching to a natural solution as the best antihistamines for itchy skin could reduce these unnecessary side effects and improve long-term results.
Medicinal mushrooms stand as the best antihistamine for itchy skin because they directly impact the immune system function. Our immune system is in a state of homeostasis, where movement between the Th1 and Th2 immune pathways inhibit and complement each other. Allergens disrupt this equilibrium, increasing the production of Th2. The result is often inflammation, and itchiness, with common additional side effects like conjunctivitis and rhinitis.
Medicinal Mushrooms for Itchy Skin
Medicinal mushrooms are adaptogens capable of adapting to the needs of the human body. The right medical mushrooms also contain a selection of valuable bioactive compounds, which successfully improve the performance of the immune system, and reduce discomfort or itching. For instance, medicinal mushrooms are high in beta-glucans and other polysaccharides, which act as a natural antihistamine.
Medicinal mushrooms are also rich in vitamin D. which is linked to immune system modulation. In fact, mushrooms are the non-animal, unfortified food source of vitamin D that can provide a substantial amount of vitamin D2. They also contain other natural vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, which is an antioxidant and works well with the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory compounds of a medicinal mushroom and Zinc, which is a key mineral that regulates immunity.
Medicinal mushrooms also have a powerful impact on itchy skin and allergies thanks to their prebiotic nature. Medicinal mushrooms are natural prebiotics suitable for balancing and improving the gut microbiota. They work to improve the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut, which is essential for improving several functions of the human body. Using medicinal mushrooms as a form of prebiotic helps to maintain internal homeostasis and reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
Some mushrooms contain more bioactive compounds than others when it comes to supporting immune system health and reducing itchy skin. For instance, Cordyceps mushrooms are often recommended in skincare because they boost cell oxygenation, while Reishi extracts have anti-inflammatory effects and protect oxidation proteins.
Which Mushrooms are the Best Antihistamines for Itchy Skin?
The two most effective mushrooms for itchy skin management are the Royal Sun Mushroom, or the Sun Agaricus (Agaricus Blazei Murill), or the Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum).
The Sun Agaricus is a powerful immunomodulator capable of improving the natural balance between Th2 and Th1immune status in the body. Studies demonstrate the ability of this mushroom to reduce the response to antibodies and histamine production when numbers are too high. Sun mushroom can be effective in preventing developing allergies and reducing the symptoms of flare-ups. Probably, its beneficial effects are due to the fact that Agaricus blazei is, among medicinal mushrooms, the one with a higher content in Beta-glucans and Zinc.
Reishi mushroom is another excellent product for the purpose of immunomodulation and inflammation reduction. Reishi has natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. This mushroom type contains triterpenes with antioxidant, antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory capabilities, mainly offering a stabilising effect for the immune system.
Reishi mushrooms can inhibit the secretion of histamines and regulate the release of cells that would increase inflammation. The beta-glucans in the Reishi mushroom can also assist in shifting the immune system from a state of Th2 dominance, to natural balance between Th1 and Th2.
Taken as a supplemental form, the right blend of medicinal mushrooms can help to prevent immune system issues and inflammatory flare ups which would otherwise enhance problems with itchy skin. These products are all-natural, making them some of the best antihistamines for itchy skin in terms of minimal side effects and potential interactions.
Most medicinal mushrooms can even be taken alongside other treatment options to improve overall skin health and quality of life.