A diminished cutaneous response to intradermal histamine has been reported by schizophrenics in at least 12 studies over the past 50 years. This literature is reviewed and compared to the present investigation in which both the wheal and flare response to intradermal histamine is examined in chronic schizophrenic patients, their parents, and a healthy control group. Histamine insensitivity could not be demonstrated in unmedicated patients, although a diminished wheal and flare response occurred during neuroleptic treatment. A cutaneous histamine insensitivity does not appear to be a common phenomenon among chronic schizophrenic patients.