Anti histamines?
Posted , 6 users are following.
I recently had a severe allergic reaction to an insect bite on my face and was advised to take antihistamines four times a day (it's usually once a day). After a few days the swelling was resolving but the antihistamines were starting to make me feel a little 'other-worldly'! I did notice, however, that, during the time I was taking the increased antihistamine dose, my lichen sclerosis stopped itching. It has been really bad during the previous few months and has started itching again since stopping the tablets. Coincidence or has anybody else experience this?
0 likes, 7 replies
deethebee kathryn07219
Posted
Hi, on the odd occasion that I've taken antihistamine tablets, a couple of times when my LS was really bad, it did stop it itching. I am also puzzled by this and can't figure out if it's the sleepy bit of the drug that makes you sleep through the itch. we would have to try taking the non sleepy version to see if it works just as well. What sort were you taking?
deethebee kathryn07219
Posted
PS. I took the antihistamine at night which was why I slept through the itch 😂
liezl885 kathryn07219
Posted
Hi. I've been taking cetirizine (antihistamine) in two times I feel a very bad itch and it seems effective. I took one the other day because aside from I was itching down there, both my arms were itching as well. And the itch stopped including itching down there. And I have a goodnight sleep that night.
Next time I feel itch, I'll drink again to see if the antihistamine really helps.
sally41666 liezl885
Posted
I consistently find that antihistamines help with anal itching. They suppress an immune response and as LS is an auto immune condition then this is why they work!
deethebee sally41666
Posted
I wonder what would happen then if you were having a bad flare up and only used the antihistamine instead of the steroid ointment. Do you think the LS would carry on flaring but you wouldn't feel it or would the antihistamine could stop the flare.... I took one This morning, non drowsy and no itching all day, bliss!!
beverly52803 kathryn07219
Posted
kathryn, I have never heard of anyone else having extreme reactions to insect bites on their face. When I was younger there were times I would have to go to the ER to get a shot as my eyes would swell so much I could not see. Fortunately, it no longer happens, but any bite on my body is almost unbearably itchy for a short time. I once sat at the ocean's edge in a low chair and must have been bitten by sand fleas. That night I had an incredible reaction. Felt as though the sheets were covered with shards of glass. The odd thing was I could barely see anything on my skin. Was out of state visiting, called the first dermatologist in the phonebook in the AM and was the first person waiting at his office. He gave me a shot and I soon returned to normal. Dr's response was he had no idea what caused it, but my body clearly went into overproduction of histamine mode.
It makes sense to me that an antihistamine would help with LS itch when it is bad. I would check with your doctor before taking them consistently though.
I also have LS, but as yet do not experience the extreme itching. The only itch I have felt was internal and fleeting which my gyn thought was LS caused, but when I took flagyl the itch subsided. It returned very slightly then left with summer. I think it was bacterial as it was accompanied by odor and heat related.
Vitamin C is supposed to be a natural antihistamine, so maybe you should consider supplements. I had stopped supplements in general as I had read if you eat well they aren't needed, but am going back to them now that I've had the LS diagnosis. Figure they can't hurt.
33beth kathryn07219
Posted
i take Benadryl when i want to sleep with no itch. like others i just thought it knocked me out so i slept vs. worrying about the itch. I i think i will try zrytec at night to see if that reduces the itch as well. currently getting over a bad flare up.