Antihistamines make me sleepy…What can I use for my itchy skin? Real answers from a Real Allergy doc

[@abn1347]

Thank you so much doctor, this therapy has really helped me out a lot, you're a life saver!

[@randy7719]

I just wanted to comment on here regarding name-brand versus generic antihistimines. I immediately noticed the difference while taking the name brand Zyrtec antihistimine tablets compared to any of the generic cetirizine pills by any of the other manufacturers. Every time I took the name brand Zyrtec it was 100% effective for seasonal allergies. Every one of the generic brands were'nt even close to being as effective. I would say maybe only about 55% as effective as the name brand (EVERY TIME). So nobody can tell me the generic brands use the exact same ingredients & specifications for their products as the name brands. The proof is in the final product and the generics weren't even close. I'll pay the extra money for something that works, rather than the 55% as effective generic garbage! I certainly can't say this is the case with every name brand vs. generic medication but it certainly is in this one, and everytime in the future when I take a name brand vs. a generic version I'll absolutely pay close attention to differences to quality and effectiveness between the two.

[@brookelowe5147]

I have contact dermatitis on my wrists from something at work and all over itching from changing laundry detergent. What is the best oral antihistamine to get rid of this? Is it safe to take Allegra or Zyrtec during the day and Benadryl at night? I've been doing Benadryl at night and hydrocortisone cream with no relief. Also had a solumedrol 40 MG injection yesterday with no relief. Thank you.

[@KS-dr3im]

Thank you so much!!!

[@jetjetmo3096]

Hello... Good day... I experience urticaria after my covid booster...got booster aug. 23 and hives appeared 3 to 4 weeks after my booster... Until today... I still hives...am on citerizine 20mg a day...

[@lisapape2086]

Hey Doctor Allergy. I was just put on Benazepril HCL and My chest broke out like hives. The doctor said come down half a pill. Didn't work. I stopped taking med and will get back with Doctor. Can this drug cause rash and hives. Thank You. Love your Videos.

[@drandersonw1095]

Hello 👋 Beautiful Lady 🥰. you doing today?

[@ClaudzDime]

i have hives for more than a month now doc and im taking allegra for 3 weeks now, is it ok to keep taking the allegra because if i didnt take it my skin is so itchy.. hope you answer doc thank you!

[@drjackallergy106]

Yes, it is okay to keep taking the Allegra especially if it helps. If not then consider alternatives. Hoping the hives go away

[@jude8223]

Loratamine will not make you drowsy. I have used it for years upon recommendation of my doctor.

[@taniavasquez9802]

I have been taking Z&Z (cetirizine and ranitidine) for more than a year now for my dermographia. I started taking it after I broke out in hives for the second time in 3 years (first time: 2018, second time: 2021), only difference is that the second time I developed dermographia. I broke out into hives again a couple of days ago (right on track, it’s been 2 years). There’s nothing that I can think of that could have triggered it, I don’t really have triggers. Hives don’t really itch all that much I’m guessing because of my Z&Z treatment but they also aren’t going away and are actually getting worse (spreading and turning red). My whole upper body is covered in hives (expect my arms, neck and shoulders, same as the last 2 times). Do you think I have built up a tolerance for my treatment? I honestly don’t think so because if that were the case than my dermographia would also be showing up but that seems to be under control. Is there something else I can take in addition to cetirizine and ranitidine? I will be going to the doctors tomorrow but I would love to hear what you have to say.

[@aroojshafaq9530]

I tried your z&z theraphy and cured my chronic urticaria. Can you pls make a detailed video on your F&F theraphy, how to taper it off? I got my urticaria back a month ago and i cannot find the cure. Sleeping in night is very hard due to severe itching

[@drjackallergy106]

I will try to make something shortly. In brief, take one fexofenadine 180mg and one Famotidine 20mg together morning and night. Diphenhydramine at bedtime in addition, if needed. Hope this helps. DrJackAllergy

[@aroojshafaq9530]

I am not pregnant/ nor planning to get pregnant, however i am in a child bearing age. So Can i take Zyrtec in place of Allegra with pepcid? Zyrtec and Pepcid one tablet each morning and night? TIA

[@drjackallergy106]

@@aroojshafaq9530 Yes, you can take that.

[@mollennatwongyera442]

What is z and z..kinldy help

[@aroojshafaq9530]

@@mollennatwongyera442 zyrtec and zantac

[@taniavasquez9802]

Hi Dr Jack, a few months ago I started taking Zyrtec and Zantac for my dermographism and it’s what I take everyday to help me with my condition. You’ve probably seen that Zantac has recently been facing some lawsuits and here in South America, it has been completely discontinued. Could you please tell me what I can take instead of Zantac (ranitidine)?

[@drjackallergy106]

Famotidine 20mg

[@saychannel5413]

Hi doctor Do you provide any treatment for vitiligo

[@mariedoc]

I am allergic to Allegra .. it causes a severe dry mouth and swelling on my face and lips. Benedryl makes me sleepy. I am afraid to take Zyrtec pr Claritin. Having a terrible time. .

[@drjackallergy106]

So sorry to hear this. I would recommend that you try Loratadine (generic claritin) but break it in half, and if possible, break the half into quarters. Then start with one quarter Loratadine twice daily. If you tolerate this for a few days then slowly increase to taking half morning and half evening. If you tolerate after a few more days, increase to either 3/4 tablets twice daily, or even one tablet twice daily. Cetirizine (generic zyrtec) is a stronger antihistamine and more effective. Basically, TWO claritin are equal to ONE zyrtec. So if you tolerate the Loratadine but still have hives, I would recommend you try the same routine of breaking into smaller pieces and building up until you, hopefully, can tolerate zyrtec twice daily. I hope this helps and wish you safety and good health. DrJackAllergy

[@mariedoc]

@@drjackallergy106 Thanks so much for the advice. I am following this and taking a half the generic claritin first. It is already seeming to help. I guess the Allegra was too strong for me. I will continue as you suggest. This is an answer to a prayer.

[@drozcan]

Thanks for the great information! I was using hydroxizine for my chronic urticaria, while I see that higher doses are more common for other patients with urticaria, 12mg(half pill) was enough for me for 2 full days but the first day would always be very sedative and drowsy. Now I switched to levocetirizine 5mg a day and I don't feel any kind of drowsiness but the effect wears out before 24hr period. Should I increase the dosage? If yes, would that be taking two pills once a day or one pill per 12hrs?

[@drjackallergy106]

I would recommend one pill twice daily

[@gauravsharma2362]

Doctor, how about bilastine & montelukast tablets?

[@heatherj9029]

Zyrtec, xyzal, Allegra make me so tired. I just tired 1/4 of a Claritin and I’m feeling a little groggy. I’ve never been able to take an allergy medication even though I need it. Any suggestions? I have phenergan for migraines and I take 1/2 tab of the 12mg and it puts me to sleep. I don’t know why I’m so sensitive to these medications.

[@sakshi6095]

hi dr, dermatologist had suggested desloratadine 5mg.. in pregnancy..is it safe?

[@ineskorriku8701]

Hello doctor. I have hives for 4 days now. It come and goes. I used atarax in the morning and rupetin at night. Also the doctor gave me methylprednisolone 40 mg. Half in the mornging, and the other half at night. I did a IgE total test to see, and it came out normal. What do you think it can be the cause of my hives? Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@drjackallergy106]

Ines, hives that are less than 6 weeks in length (total time) are considered acute urticaria, and there is no current recommendation for laboratory evaluation. If hives persist beyond 6 weeks, then it falls into the chronic urticaria pathway and we typically start investigating. There are A LOT of causes. I'd like to recommend my other videos concerning hives as they will provide significantly more information than I can type. After watching, if you still have questions, feel free to email me directly at [e-mail] Hope this Helps. DrJackAllergy

[@larrykovaleski4261]

Is there a causal relationship between gut issues and chronic hives such as parasite issue, a DAO issue, or just a very unbalanced gut/leaky gut ? Hives also run in my family, most autoimmune /genetic conditions have been ruled out. This makes me wonder if the gut can be an underlying issue. Do you think a functional physician could be helpful to R/O further issues as hives have persisted for many years? What is your opinion?

[@drjackallergy106]

Larry, that is an extremely difficult question to answer. Yes, there is a possibility that leaky gut could be involved but how would you definitively be able to answer that. Some quack could agree with you and charge lots of $$$ without truly helping. Parasitic infections are known causes but easily answered by a simple stool culture. Functional medicine could be of some benefit but again they use therapies without clinical scientific data to support what naturopathic therapies they recommend. As an allopathic physician I try to determine the underlying cause, but if unable, I try to use conventional therapies to control the symptoms of chronic idiopathic urticaria. Sadly, a small few of patients have chronic lifelong hives that require more significant therapies….but fortunately many are still successful. With strong scientific data to support safety and efficacy. Hope this helps. DrJackAllergy

[@christinas2188]

@@drjackallergy106 what is the truth between the connection of weight gain and taking antihistamines? And why do allergists seem so dismissive of the side effects of antihistamines? I’ve experienced depression, constipation, dizziness taking one Claritin per day. I have an IBS stomach that started really bad right before these hives started so I can’t take anything with lactose which Claritin has. I’ve got the bloating and constipation thing going so I haven’t taken any meds in years. Just deal with. But I started Allegra on Friday because the burning prickly feeling was unbearable and my husband needed to go to the hospital suddenly- so I had to be functional. I’m afraid to take these antihistamines because of the side effects and because I feel like they are not addressing the root cause, just a bandaid approach. I feel like a common theme of people suffering with CIU is the antihistamines work for awhile only to come back with a vengeance later on. But I’m tired of being in pain, this has completely taken over my life it’s been 5 yrs. Right after a miscarriage. And then I couldn’t get pregnant again afterwards. I wish I could understand what exactly is wrong with my body that is causing this. The allergist said it dermagraphism CIU. It looks like patches and it’s not even raised. I was actually supposed to go to a hematologist because I had something come up in blood work, elevated Cardiolipin. Something about prone to blood clots. I wonder if it could be connected to the hives. I read about Urticaria Vasculitis or something about inflammatory blood vessels. I just wish this would go away. Sigh

[@drjackallergy106]

@@christinas2188 your story is all too common but is not easy to define. Anti-cardiolipin antibody is part of a clotting disorder and an autoimmune sort of illness that might explain the miscarriage, the CIU and the difficulty getting pregnant. There are alternatives to antihistamines but you need to get a diagnosis first before going further. I’d see the hematologist

[@christinas2188]

@@drjackallergy106 thanks very much for the reply, I never even thought it could be connected to the hives. I will reach out to a hematologist.

[@vjy21ctra]

What about other cures without using these medicines. Like pouring cold water on the affected areas? Are they effective sir?

[@drjackallergy106]

It might provide short term topical relief but it does not treat the underlying trigger causing the urticaria.

[@vjy21ctra]

@@drjackallergy106 Thank you, sir.

[@galaxynote4821]

Can I used antihistamine/cetricine together with my prednisolone. I am having uticuria utalatis. I am currently taking 2 tablets of prednisolone and 2 cetrizine daily. I am planning to reduce my prednisolone to one tablet and if no flare out will stop taking it but taking cetrizine twice a day. Is this recomended

[@drjackallergy106]

Yes, it is fine to taper off prednisolone and continue the cetirizine. This is the most effective way to do it. Keep up the good work.

[@emmamatias6944]

is it safe to take 2 cetirizine a day i have hives for 5 wks now

[@TrixR4kids]

what’s your thoughts on Xolair shots ?

[@drjackallergy106]

It’s a very effective therapy although I reserve it for one of the final therapies to use only after exhausting other options.

[@andrewmoss-em4lh]

Hi doc, can I take fexofeadine 180mg twice a day, so that in all is 360mg a day

[@drjackallergy106]

Yes, you can.

[@andrewmoss-em4lh]

Thank you, and could I take something like Benadryl as well at night to help me sleep

[@jewelhimura3763]

Hi doc, can i take vaccine considering i have allergy for shrimp,, only pfizer is available here in my place. Can i take pfizer?

[@drjackallergy106]

Yes, Jewel. It is safe to take the Pfizer Biotech vaccine.

[@jewelhimura3763]

@@drjackallergy106 thanks doc.. ❤️ bless you.

[@andrewmoss-em4lh]

Hi doctor jack can I take fexofeadine 180mg with cetirizne 10mg

[@melvincobb]

Cetirizne

[@tudi-annmclean1726]

This was very helpful. I appreciate this information. Thanks doctor.

[@ohzone6464]

he has been hoaxed into thinking he needs glasses, just like about 70% of us do