Does Histamine Cream Work to Relieve Pain?

If you have arthritis, muscle pain, or back pain, you’ve likely considered trying a medication to help ease your discomfort. And if your pain is mild, or you’re in the beginning stages of finding treatment, you may be considering an over-the-counter (OTC) medication specifically.

When you’re in the aisles of your local pharmacy, it can feel overwhelming to decide which medication may be your best option. And while you’re scanning the shelves, you may come across products like Australian Dream cream. Other brand and generic versions of it are also available, but they all contain the same active ingredient: histamine dihydrochloride.

Here, we’ll talk more about histamine cream — what it is, how it works, and if it’s effective for treating pain.

What is histamine cream, and how does it work?

Histamine cream, officially histamine dihydrochloride cream, is an OTC product that’s marketed to help relieve minor muscle and joint pain. It can be applied several times during the day for up to a week at a time. 

Some histamine creams are labeled to be used by adults and children, ages 2 years and older, and others are labeled for people over 12 years old. Regardless of age, it should only be considered for minor pain. It shouldn’t be used to treat moderate or severe pain. 

It’s also not fully known how histamine cream contributes to pain control. Manufacturers of histamine cream believe that once you absorb the cream through your skin, blood vessels expand at the site of application. This blood circulation boost may potentially help contribute to pain relief, but this isn’t proven. 

What are examples of histamine creams?

Several histamine cream products are available. Common examples are Australian Dream cream and Baker’s Best Arthritis Pain Relief cream. Both products contain histamine dihydrochloride, and they’re labeled to treat back pain and/or arthritis pain.

Histamine dihydrochloride is also found in several combination products. One example is Arthritis Relief cream, which combines menthol and histamine dihydrochloride into the same medication. Menthol is also an OTC pain reliever. 

If you don’t like creams, a topical histamine dihydrochloride spray is also available. 

Are histamine and antihistamine medications different?

Yes. Histamine and antihistamine medications are different.

First, let’s talk about histamine itself. Aside from being in a pain cream, histamine is a natural chemical in your body. It’s released by your immune system as a part of its allergic response to foreign invaders, like dander or pollen. It’s also a chemical messenger that helps control functions like body temperature, memory, and pain sensation.

Antihistamine medications work by blocking histamine. Antihistamines treat allergic reactions and seasonal allergy symptoms. They’re available as oral medications, topical creams, and injectable liquids. 

Histamine creams, on the other hand, release histamine where they’re applied. But the role histamine plays in pain sensation is complex, so it's not clear if topical application of histamine works well to provide pain relief. 

How are histamine creams usually dosed and given for pain?

Histamine cream is a topical medication. It’s applied to the skin in the area where you’re feeling pain. It’s recommended that you apply a thin layer to your skin and massage it in until it’s thoroughly absorbed. You can usually use it up to 4 times per day, but directions vary by product. Make sure to read your product’s Drug Facts label.

Histamine cream should only be used for a short period of time. Try not to use it for more than 1 week at a time. If you’re not finding adequate relief from your symptoms, you may need to switch to an alternative treatment option. It’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider about your symptoms and medical history so they can help you find an appropriate treatment to use. 

Can histamine cream be combined with other pain treatments? 

In general, yes. Histamine cream can be combined with other pain relievers. 

Common go-to OTC pain reliever medications are ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol). These are all oral medications, but topical medications are also available (discussed below). If you plan on using histamine cream with another topical pain medication, try to avoid applying them to the same area of skin at the same time. Alternating is better. If needed, prescription pain medications are also available. 

However, know that the safety of combining medications depends on a few factors, such as your type of pain, medical history, and other medications that you take. Before making the decision to combine pain treatments, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Let them know about your current pain level, other medications you take, and any health conditions you may have. This will help them choose the safest and best treatment option for you. 

How effective is histamine cream for pain?

We don’t know for sure. There aren’t any studies that evaluate the effectiveness of histamine cream for muscle and joint pain. 

However, early data from other health conditions suggest that it might not be too effective. For instance, in one small study of people with mouth pain, topical histamine gel didn’t cause any change or improvement in pain symptoms. This study didn’t evaluate the effectiveness of histamine cream for muscle or joint pain. 

More studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of histamine in relieving pain. Most of histamine dihydrochloride’s data comes from unrelated leukemia studies.

What are the risks and side effects of histamine dihydrochloride?

Its effectiveness data isn’t clear, but histamine cream is generally well-tolerated. It doesn’t have many known risks or side effects to be aware of. 

Still, like with all medications, there are a few things to keep in mind. For instance, you shouldn’t apply the medication to damaged or wounded skin. If you do, there’s a higher chance of developing an infection. It may also delay the wound healing process and contribute to skin damage.

You should also stop using the medication if you develop a rash or if your symptoms get worse at any point. And if your symptoms don’t get any better after 7 days, you should stop using it and talk to your healthcare provider. 

What are the best alternatives to histamine cream for pain relief?

If you’re looking for another topical pain medication, there are many alternative options to consider trying. Many of these products are better studied than histamine cream. These are some of the most widely used topical OTC medications:

• Lidocaine cream, ointment, and sprays

• Diclofenac (Voltaren) gel

• Capsaicin cream and patches

• Menthol cream, ointment, gel, and patches

Depending on your type of pain, and how severe it is, you might consider an oral medication or a prescription pain medication. These options make sense when topical medications aren’t doing a good job at relieving your pain or the area is too large to use a topical medication.

Again, before using histamine cream or any of these alternatives, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider. They can tell you which pain medication(s) you should take.

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Written by:

John Maneno, PharmD

John Maneno, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist and freelance writer. He completed a 2-year fellowship program with Belmont University and Aegis Sciences Corporation where he served as an instructor for biomedical literature evaluation and intro to drug information and informatics courses.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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