What do antihistamines do?

Antihistamines are a class of medications that primarily function to inhibit the action of histamine, a chemical released by the body during allergic reactions and inflammatory responses. Histamine binds to specific receptors, leading to symptoms such as itching, sneezing, runny nose, and swelling. By blocking these receptors, antihistamines effectively reduce or prevent these symptoms, offering relief to individuals suffering from allergies or colds.

The mechanism by which antihistamines operate is crucial for their role in managing allergic responses. They prevent histamine from exerting its effects on target tissues, thereby helping to alleviate the symptoms associated with allergies. This inhibition is particularly valuable in treating allergic rhinitis, urticaria, and other conditions where histamine plays a key role in symptom development.

In contrast, enhancing histamine action, increasing blood flow, and stimulating digestive enzymes do not align with the therapeutic purpose of antihistamines, which is to mitigate the effects of histamine rather than amplify its activity or promote unrelated physiological functions.