Benadryl itch relief skin#

So, Chen says, as a treatment for eczema, second-generation drugs are 'even less likely to work because of the nonsedating properties.' Second-generation antihistamines include Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine), the Cleveland Clinic notes.

When taken as directed, first-generation antihistamines are safe, even for children, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, though it’s important to talk to your child’s doctor first.īecause second-generation antihistamines don't have an effect on the brain, they aren't sedating. And getting a good night's sleep promotes healing and is beneficial for the immune system, according to the nonprofit Allergy & Asthma Network.

Benadryl itch relief skin#

These sedating antihistamines are most beneficial as a treatment for eczema, especially if the eczema symptom of itchy skin is keeping you from sleeping, says Dr. First-generation drugs, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine), affect the brain and can cause side effects like drowsiness, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In general, there are two types of oral antihistamines on the market: first-generation antihistamines and second-generation antihistamines. Chen says, adding that antihistamines are still not as effective as we would like in treating the itch of eczema. So if the medications keep people from scratching, indirectly they can help the eczema,' Dr. The sedating effect is helpful because scratching always makes eczema worse. 'Eczema is not really a histamine problem, but antihistamines do seem to have some effect. RELATED: ‘I Tried Wet Wrap Therapy for Eczema, and It Helped Reset My Skin’ Antihistamines as a Treatment for Eczema But, she explains, they work differently when used as an eczema treatment. They block the effects of histamine to provide relief, per the Cleveland Clinic.Īntihistamines 'are the only oral medications we have to treat itching,' says Suephy Chen, MD, a dermatologist and the chair of the department of dermatology at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. Allergic symptoms like itchy eyes and skin can result.Īntihistamine drugs are often used to treat allergic conditions. In the case of allergies, the body mistakes harmless substances like pollen or dust mites as a threat and releases histamine, an immune system protein that helps protect cells from infection, to fight them off, according to the Mayo Clinic. 1 complaint I hear from my patients with eczema,” says Debra Wattenberg, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in New York City.Ītopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is the most common type of eczema, according to the National Eczema Association, and is considered similar to an allergic condition. “While antihistamines won't stop the eczema flare-ups from happening, they will help to relieve some of the itchiness, and itchiness is the No. When itching is very troublesome, eczema treatment often includes oral antihistamines (along with other medications), which are drugs used to stop the itch-scratch cycle of eczema that can bother you in the day and even keep you up at night. Nonetheless, scratching only makes the skin condition worse and invites infection, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Unbearably itchy skin is a very common eczema symptom.