Will Benadryl Help Skin Allergies

Potential Side Effects And Risks Of Benadryl For Dogs

Every medication has the potential to trigger side effects and adverse reactions, and Benadryl for dogs is no exception. For a simpler understanding, we will classify the side effects of Benadryl into two categories: common side effects and rare side effects.

The group of common side effects in dogs includes:

Basically, if you are unsure whether you should give your dog the medication, it always helps to check with your local veterinarian or clinic. The vet consultation is also the perfect time to talk about Diphenhydramine dosage for your dog.

Finally, Benadryl can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive dogs. In such cases, a quick trip to the vets office is warranted. Since Benadryl is used to treat allergies, the dogs allergy symptoms will worsen in case of sensitivity to the medication.

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When To See A Doctor

Hives and angioedema may be signs of a serious allergic reaction. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if:

• You have hives all over your body
• You are starting to have trouble breathing

See a doctor if:

• You need help with controlling your eczema symptoms
• Your rash is bleeding or has yellowish pus and looks infected
• You think you may have an allergy that you didnt have before
• You have a skin rash that doesnt get better after 2 to 3 weeks

How Do Dermatologists Diagnose Hives

A dermatologist can often diagnose hives by looking at your skin.

To find out why you have hives, your dermatologist will ask questions. Knowing why you have hives may help you avoid the cause, which can prevent new hives.

Hives have many causes, so it can be a challenge to find the cause. You can help your dermatologist by taking time to answer these questions before your appointment:

• How often do you get hives?

• How long do the hives last?

• Do the hives itch or feel painful?

• When you get hives, do you have other symptoms like feeling lightheaded or nauseous?

It can also be helpful to think about what you were doing a few hours before you developed hives. For example, can you answer the following questions?

• What did you eat?

• Did you take a medication, including one that you can buy without a prescription, such as ibuprofen?

• Have you been feeling stressed?

• Did a bug bite or sting you?

• Were you out in sunlight, cold, or heat?

• Did you sweat a lot?

• Were you wearing tight clothes or carrying a purse or backpack?

Tell your dermatologist if you develop hives hours after eating red meat , gelatin, or dairy products

Hives can be a sign of alpha-gal syndrome, a food allergy that can develop after being bite by the lone star tick. This tick is found in many U.S. states.

During your appointment, your dermatologist will also ask about your medical history. Be sure to mention any recent medical treatments, including radiation therapy or a blood transfusion.

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Care Advice For Hives

Does Benadryl Help Dogs With Skin Allergies

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Does Benadryl Make You Sleepy Are There Non

Benadryl causes most people who take it to feel sleepy. This side effect may go away after three to four days of daily use.

Currently, there arent any non-drowsy forms of Benadryl available. Drowsiness can be a side effect of all forms of Benadryl.

However, other antihistamine drugs may come in non-drowsy forms, such as fexofenadine and levocetirizine . Keep in mind that non-drowsy drugs are less likely to cause drowsiness, but this can still be a side effect.

You can ask a pharmacist or your doctor to recommend non-drowsy alternatives to Benadryl.

How Should Benadryl Be Taken

A typical dose of Benadryl is 25-50 mg every 4-6 hours. Benadryl may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors , other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or insomnia medications, anxiety or sleep medicines, antidepressants, or any other medications that make you feel drowsy, sleepy, or relaxed. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Benadryl has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women. Benadryl is secreted in breast milk. Because of the risk of stimulation and seizures in infants, especially newborns and premature infants, antihistamines should not be used by nursing mothers.

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Side Effects In Children

Side effects of Benadryl in children are generally similar to those in adults, described above. However, in children, oral Benadryl can sometimes cause unexpected side effects such as:

In newborns, oral Benadryl can cause:

• trouble breathing
• sudden infant death

Because of the risk of dangerous side effects in children, over-the-counter oral Benadryl products are only approved for use in children 6 years of age and older.

How Is Cold Urticaria Treated

If you get hives from cold temperatures, treatment can help reduce flare-ups. Treatment can be especially important if you:

• Cannot go outside in winter without getting hives

• Develop a serious reaction, such as difficulty breathing or feeling faint

The goal of treatment is to decrease your symptoms so that they dont interfere with your daily life.

When possible, treatment begins with avoiding what causes your hives. For example, if cold water causes hives, youll want to avoid it. If your throat swells when you eat or drink anything cold, you should avoid all cold foods and drinks.

For many people, avoiding what causes their hives is enough to help them live comfortably.

If youve ever had a serious reaction from the cold, such as passing out or swelling in your throat, your dermatologist may recommend that you always carry an epinephrine pen. Injecting yourself if you have a serious reaction could save your life.

If you cannot avoid what causes your hives, medication can help. Medication can be helpful for someone who cannot go outdoors in the winter without getting hives. It can prevent hives if your child wants to swim in a pool with friends during the summer.

One medication that helps many people who have cold urticaria is an antihistamine. It can prevent hives from developing. An antihistamine can also prevent symptoms like itchiness.

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Can I Give My Dog Benadryl How This Pink Pill Affects Our Pets

Many human medications are toxic to dogs, but Benadryl is an exception. So, if youre asking yourself, Can I give my dog Benadryl?, the answer is generally yes. But, theres a lot more you need to know before you hand over that pink pill.

Benadryl is the most common brand name for allergy medications that contain the active ingredientdiphenhydramine. Not every variety of Benadryl is safe for dogs. Dogs also metabolize medicine differently from humans, so the dosing instructions on the side of the box wont work for your furry friend. Plus, Benadryl can interact with other medications and cause adverse reactions in dogs with certain pre-existing conditions.

Below, well give you an in-depth look at how this medication affects your best friend. But, before you give your dog Benadryl, talk to your vet to make sure its safe for your pets specific needs. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.

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What Are Antihistamines And Why Dont They Work For Most Itchy Dogs

Allergies in dogs are different than allergies in people. Histamines cause upper respiratory allergies in people, whereas cytokines cause itchy skin in dogs.

For dogs with underlying allergies, antihistamines don’t control the cytokines that cause inflammation and itch. In fact, the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals lists antihistamines under “Interventions likely to be of little or no benefit to treat acute flares of canine atopic dermatitis.” Antihistamines can also cause some unwanted side effects, including sedation, trembling, and panting. In addition, antihistamines can put your dog at risk for worsening allergic itch and secondary infections since they are not treating the underlying cause of the itch.

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What If I Dont Have Benadryl Are There Alternatives

If your dog has allergies and you dont have any Benadryl at home, you can also use cetirizine or loratadine . As usual, always check with a vet first before administering any human medications to your dog. Especially if your dog has preexisting conditions or is on other medication.

Natural allergy relief can be gained by using quercetin which is a natural ingredient derived from the peels of fruits and vegetables. Not only does quercetin contain antihistamine properties, but it contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Chat to your vet about quercetin as an allergy reliever in dogs.

CBD is another natural alternative to Benadryl. Its derived from hemp plants and contains absolutely no psychoactive properties so theres no chance of getting your dog high. The benefits of CBD include the relief of skin conditions, as well as itching and hives related to allergies. Dogs that experience motion sickness will also benefit from CBD, as will those suffering from anxiety, pain, or nausea.

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If Hives Continue You May Need To See A Specialist Heres How Doctors Treat Hives

If you have only one outbreak of hives and you dont have breathing difficulties, you probably dont need medical attention. Yet if you continue to get multiple bouts of hives that continue after a couple of weeks, you may want to call a doctor, Elmariah suggests. Most often, the hives will resolve during this time or youll figure out whats causing them.

But hives that continue for weeks warrant a trip to a specialist, such as a dermatologist or an allergist. If they continue for six weeks or longer theyre considered chronic hives, which tend to be caused by the same triggers as short-term or acute cases of hives. Because dermatologists and allergists are skilled at working with hives, theyre your best bet for getting appropriate treatment, Dr. Rossi explains.

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Does Cold Urticaria Go Away

Some people who have cold urticaria see it go away on its own within a few weeks or months. About half the people who get cold urticaria will see it disappear within five years. Once this happens, most patients never get hives from the cold again.

Its also possible to have cold urticaria for life.

Related AAD resources

ImagesImage 1: Used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002 47:608-10.

Image 2: Getty Images

ReferencesAbajian M, Curto-Barredo L, et al. Rupatadine 20 mg and 40 mg are effective in reducing the symptoms of chronic cold urticaria. Acta Derm Venereol. 2016 96:56-9.

Alba Marin JC, Martorell Aragones A, et al. Treatment of severe cold-induced urticaria in a child with omalizumab. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2015 25:303-4.

Deza G, Brasileiro A, et al. Acquired cold urticaria: Clinical features, particular phenotypes, and disease course in a tertiary care center cohort. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 75:918-24.

Hochstadter EF and Ben-Shoshan M. Cold-induced urticaria: challenges in diagnosis and management. BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Jul 8:2013.

Ik S, Arkan-Ayyldz Z, et al. Idiopathic cold urticaria and anaphylaxis. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2014 30:38-9.

Jain SV, Mullins RJ. Cold urticaria: A 20-year follow-up study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016 30:2066-71.

Kim G. Primary cold urticaria and cholinergic urticaria. Dermatol Online J. 2004 10:13.

Precautions To Be Kept In Mind

Speak to your doctor before taking this medicine in case you are allergic to the medicine or any of its components. There could be some inactive ingredients in this product which could be allergic to you. Hence always look at the ingredient list and discuss with the doctor to make sure that you are not allergic to any of it.

Before consuming this medicine, make sure to discuss about your entire medical history including breathing issues like asthma, hypertension, cardiac issues, liver or kidney diseases and other severe medical conditions with your doctor.

This drug could induce drowsiness or dizziness and hence must be avoided when driving, operating heavy machinery or undertaking any activity that requires concentration and focus. Avoid having alcohol when consuming this medicine. If you are scheduled for a surgery, speak to your doctor if you have been consuming this medication recently to avoid any ambiguity.

Although allergies are troublesome, they can be managed very well with the right information and conscious effort. Speak to your doctor about the various ways that can help you manage your allergies effectively and in the most healthy manner.

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Dog Allergies: Causes And Treatment

Believe it or not, your dogs allergy symptoms might be from the food theyre eating. The animal-sourced ingredients in dog food are responsible for over 3 times as many food allergy cases as the plant-based ingredients. According to a study published on PubMed.gov, after five weeks of their dog patients starting an elimination diet, more than 80% of patients had achieved a remission of clinical signs of CAFR .

That means your dogs allergies could be eliminated just by changing what they eat. So before you give your dog any Benadryl for a suspected food allergy, consider switching their dog food. 86% of customers reported a positive health benefit for their dog after switching to Wild Earth dog food!

We have thousands of reviews from customers whose dogs no longer suffer from chronic itching, licking, inflammation, or gastrointestinal problems because of switching to Wild Earth dog food. Check out one of them in the video below!

Skin Allergy And Hives Causes

Skin allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a particular substance as though it’s harmful1. It causes the release of antibodies, which results in many of the allergy symptoms we recognise including hives2. It’s unclear why some people react to specific allergens or triggers, but most people affected tend to have a family history of allergies or other closely related conditions, like asthma1.

Triggers can include:

• Metals in jewellery 12
• Adhesives, such as the sticky substances in plasters12
• Scents or fragrances found in cosmetics such as perfumes, soaps, and lipsticks12
• Essential oils.12

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The Best Way To Prevent Hives Is To Avoid Triggers

The best prevention strategy is perhaps the most obvious: Avoid your triggers.

For example, if pressure on your skin gives you hives, skip the tight clothing and opt for looser-fitting clothes. If the sun is your trigger, avoid too much direct sun when you can and always wear sunscreen, which is a wise idea even if youve never gotten a hive in your life, Elmariah says.

If dermatographism, otherwise known as scratching the skin, is making you break out, avoiding wool, irritating chemicals and fragrances, and harsh soaps, and using emollients to hydrate your skin can certainly help, she adds.

Getting hives every time you exercise? Consider taking a long-acting antihistamine like cetirizine before your workout and exercising in an air-conditioned facility. Youll still sweat and you could get hives, but by surrounding yourself with cooler temperatures, youll reduce the symptoms, Elmariah says.

Benadryl For Nausea Or Motion Sickness

Over-the-counter Benadryl products arent approved to treat symptoms of motion sickness. However, Benadryl is often used to treat these symptoms.

Benadryl is often effective for reducing symptoms of motion sickness, but it can cause sleepiness. Other medications are considered a first-choice treatment for people who need to relieve motion sickness but want to stay awake while traveling.

If you get symptoms of motion sickness, talk with your doctor about treatment options before you travel.

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Causes Of Widespread Hives

• Viral Infection. The most common cause of hives all over the body is viral infections. Research has confirmed this. Other symptoms such as a fever, cough or diarrhea are also present. The hives may last 3 days. This is not an allergy.
• Bacterial Infection. Some bacterial infections can also cause hives. A common example is Strep. Hives are also seen with bladder infections.
• Drug Reaction. An example is a penicillin rash. Most rashes that start while taking an antibiotic are viral rashes. Allergy tests are normal 90% of the time. Only 10% turn out to be a drug allergy.
• Food Reaction. May be an allergy or a coincidence. If the food is a high risk one , consult an allergist. Hives from foods usually resolve in 6 hours. Hives from infections last for days. Only 3% of hives are due to a food.
• Bee Sting. Widespread hives after a sting may be part of a serious allergic reaction. Need to consult an allergist.
• Anaphylactic Reaction . The sudden onset of hives with trouble breathing or swallowing. This is a severe allergic reaction to an allergic food or drug. Most often begins within 30 minutes of swallowing the substance. Always within 2 hours of exposure.
• Unknown. Over 30% of the time, the cause of hives is not found.