What is the best antihistamine for food allergies?
Use an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Claritin), to treat mild symptoms. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Mild symptoms include sneezing or an itchy or runny nose; an itchy mouth; a few hives or mild itching; and mild nausea or stomach discomfort.
Zyrtec has a quicker onset of action compared to Claritin and may be more effective than Claritin in reducing allergy symptoms, according to one clinical trial.
There is very little data comparing the oral forms of Zyrtec and Benadryl. One study compared the two medications for food allergies. The study concluded that Zyrtec was similar to Benadryl's effectiveness and took the same amount of time to start working. Zyrtec also had a longer duration of action (lasted longer).
Adults and teenagers—25 to 50 milligrams (mg) every four to six hours as needed. Children 6 to 12 years of age—12.5 to 25 mg every four to six hours. Children 4 to 6 years of age—6.25 to 12.5 mg every four to six hours. Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended .
You need to keep your child free of the foods that you have found them to be sensitive to. If they do come in contact with those foods, make sure they have an antihistamine such as Benadryl, Claritin, or Zyrtec that they can have handy to them to help calm down the allergic reaction.
Minor Allergic Reaction
In these cases, OTC or prescribed antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may help reduce symptoms. These drugs can be taken after exposure to an allergy-causing food to help relieve skin redness, itching, or hives. However, antihistamines cannot treat a severe allergic reaction.
Flonase (fluticasone) and Nasacort (triamcinolone) are two examples of OTC steroid nasal sprays. They can take longer to work than antihistamines and decongestants. But some experts consider them to be the most effective type of controller medication for long-lasting nasal allergies.
Why do antihistamines stop working? Antihistamines can stop working because your allergies might be getting worse or you might have immune system changes due to aging. You also might not be taking the medication as directed. If you take an antihistamine after being exposed to an allergy trigger, it won't work as well.
“Zyrtec is found to be more potent, or stronger, in laboratory studies, compared with Claritin,” says Dr. Kung. “It also reaches a higher concentration in the skin, which can be more helpful for skin-related allergies. However, Zyrtec has a greater chance of making you sleepy while taking it.”
For patients older than 12, the standard dosage of Benadryl Allergy is 25 to 50 mg (milligrams)—one to two tablets or capsules—every four to six hours. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 can be given Benadryl at a maximum dose of 25 mg (one tablet or capsule) every four to six hours.
How long does it take to get food allergens out of your system?
Allergy to foods is commonly reversible. Symptoms often clear following 3-6 months of avoidance and nutritional therapy.
While there's ongoing research to find better treatments to reduce food allergy symptoms and prevent allergy attacks, there isn't any proven treatment that can prevent or completely relieve symptoms.
Get to know the sources of all your allergens: which specific foods and which types of food to avoid. Be “allergy aware.” Since you will often be in spaces where your allergens are present, be sure to understand the importance of washing hands, avoiding cross-contamination, and not sharing food.
Different oral antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine, levocetirizine, desloratadine, and fexofenadine should never be taken together. Taking different oral antihistamines together can lead to an antihistamine overdose. Signs of an overdose may include the following: Fast or racing heartbeat.
Taking two 10mg tablets should not cause you to have any serious problems. HOwever, if you notice anything unusual or have any negative side effects, you should contact your doctor or visit an ER to rule out any possible complications.
The usual dose for adults is 10mg once a day.
Allergy drops have been used in the Europe and the United states (including Dr. Dauby) for many years for the treatment of environmental allergies. The research now shows that food allergy drops can be an effective way to treat food allergies as well.
Most people experience at least 24 hours of relief after a single dose. Zyrtec, on the other hand, is fast acting. People who take it may feel relief in as little as one hour. Antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin are designed to calm the histamine reaction your body has when it's exposed to an allergen.
Is Benadryl or Claritin better? Claritin is usually recommended over Benadryl for allergic rhinitis and other allergy symptoms. Both drugs have similar effectiveness but Claritin has less sedating side effects. Claritin only needs to be taken once daily which may be preferred for some people.
Benadryl is absorbed quickly in the body. You'll probably notice the effects within about 20 to 30 minutes. The medicine should continue to work for about four to six hours. You should only take Benadryl for a short amount of time, unless your doctor tells you to take it for longer.
What is the fastest acting antihistamine?
Cetirizine has the fastest onset of action among the newer antihistamines. Fexofenadine does not impair psychom*otor or cognitive skills and shows no dose-related increase in sedation but has a slower onset of action than diphenhydramine and cetirizine.
Bottom Line. Zyrtec and Claritin are both second generation antihistamines with low risk of sedation; however, Zyrtec is more likely to cause sedation than Claritin. Zyrtec also has a quicker onset of action (one hour vs up to three hours for Claritin) but both last for 24 hours.
Since both medications have a common core chemical structure, Zyrtec and Xyzal generally have the same level of effectiveness, onset of action, and range of allergy symptoms treated. Xyzal is slightly less drowsy, so if drowsiness is an issue with your allergy medicine, Xyzal is better than Zyrtec.
If there is no histamine, then antihistamines can't relieve symptoms. If antihistamines aren't working for you and you have allergy-like symptoms, it may not be a bad allergy season—but instead something non-allergic you're reacting to.
Though the newer antihistamines all appear to be equally safe and effective, some people may respond better to one than another. So if, for example, cetirizine doesn't seem to help, try fexofenadine or loratadine, Hong says.
You may need immunotherapy.
If you don't get relief from medicines alone, it might be a good option for you. This long-term treatment exposes you to what you're allergic to. Over time, it can reduce or prevent your allergy symptoms. It could stop your body from overreacting to allergens all together.
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec, Zyrtec Allergy)
- Desloratadine (Clarinex)
- Fexofenadine (Allegra, Allegra Allergy)
- Levocetirizine (Xyzal, Xyzal Allergy)
- Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)
Summary. Natural antihistamines may help you control your seasonal allergies. Common ones are stinging nettle, vitamin C, quercetin, butterbur, bromelain, and probiotics. Some alternative practices—such as acupuncture, nasal irrigation, and exercise—may also help you manage symptoms.
Interactions between your drugs
No interactions were found between Claritin 24 Hour Allergy and Zyrtec. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
- antihistamines – used to treat mild to moderate allergic reaction.
- adrenaline – used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
What is the only real way to prevent a reaction from a food allergy?
There is no cure for food allergy, and avoidance of the food allergen is the only way to protect against a food allergy reaction.
- Use epinephrine at the first sign of a severe allergic reaction, or as prescribed.
- Call 911. ...
- Go to the emergency room for further treatment, even if symptoms appear to resolve with the epinephrine.
Stomach acid will destroy the raw food allergens so the symptoms usually stop when you swallow the food. The allergy rarely progresses to a systemic reaction. Cooking the food will also destroy the allergen protein so canned and cooked fruits or vegetables rarely cause symptoms.
Maybe you've moved and are being exposed to different allergens, which trigger your immune system. A viral or bacterial infection could also flip that switch. Hormones can be a catalyst, too, especially in women. It's not uncommon to develop food allergies during puberty, pregnancy or menopause.
- tingling or itching in the mouth.
- a raised, itchy red rash (urticarial) – in some cases, the skin can turn red and itchy, but without a raised rash.
- swelling of the face, mouth (angioedema), throat or other areas of the body.
- difficulty swallowing.
- wheezing or shortness of breath.
Using cetirizine together with diphenhydrAMINE may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.
Do NOT "double-up" on a dose. Do NOT take a dose sooner than you're supposed to. Do NOT take two different antihistamines at the same time. Instead, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble finding a drug that works well for your allergy symptoms.
According to Dr. Siddiqi, taking Benadryl with Claritin may result in sedation, drowsiness, constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth, and neurocognitive decline including early onset dementia.
ZYRTEC® Allergy Relief Tablets
Adults under 65 and children 6 years and older One 10 mg tablet once daily; do not take more than one 10 mg tablet in 24 hours. A 5 mg product may be appropriate for less sever symptoms.
ZYRTEC 10 mg film-coated tablets
The maximum recommended daily dose is 20 mg, do not exceed this dose, unless told to do so by your doctor.
Can you give Zyrtec twice daily?
Adults and children 12 years of age and older—Take one tablet two times a day with or without food. Children 4 to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. Children and infants up to 4 years of age—Use is not recommended .
If you suspect you have a food allergy, avoid exposure to the food altogether until your doctor's appointment. If you do eat the food and have a mild reaction, over-the-counter antihistamines may help relieve symptoms. If you have a more severe reaction and any signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, seek emergency help.
"While your body is purging the allergen food from it is system, the best thing you can do is drink plenty of fluids," Zeitlin says. Water is always a good idea, but you can also sip on low calorie sports drinks to replenish the electrolytes you're likely losing, Zeitlin says.
- Epinephrine (for example, EpiPen® or Auvi-Q), a lifesaving emergency medication that immediately begins reversing symptoms of anaphylaxis.
- Antihistamines, medications that reduce itching or congestion.
- Corticosteroids to reduce swelling if you have a severe allergic reaction.
Use appropriate handwashing procedures that emphasize the use of soap and water. Plain water and hand sanitizers are not effective in removing food allergens. One study found that liquid soap, bar soap and commercial wipes were very effective at removing peanut allergens from hands.
