ALLERGY AND DRUGS: ANTI-HISTAMINES
Anti-histamine drugs work by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical released from cells during an allergic reaction and responsible for most of the unpleasant symptoms. They can be very effective against true allergic reactions – particularly so against itchiness, hay fever and rhinitis – but not against food intolerance or chemical sensitivity. They are relatively simple drugs, with few side effects and are not addictive. They can be bought ‘over the counter’ but are best taken with medical advice.
Earlier types of antihistamine, such as Piriton, cause drowsiness as a side effect and cannot be combined with alcohol. Other more modern drugs, such as Triludan, do not cause drowsiness.
Some people find that the effectiveness of anti-histamines wears off after a while. There are six separate classes of anti-histamine from different chemical groups and it can often work to try a drug from another class if one drug has ceased to be effective. A drug that has lost its effectiveness often regains it if you take another one for a while and then return to it.
Anti-histamines can be taken in tablets or syrups. Syrups are available without colouring and with the minimum of sugars for highly sensitive children (or indeed adults). Anti-histamines are also available as creams to apply to the skin, but you can become sensitive to preservatives and other substances in the cream, and their use is best kept to the absolute essential.
The anti-histamine drugs which have a sedative effect can be very useful if you have a child who is distressed by itchy skin or hives at night, in helping them to sleep through the discomfort.
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