Topical antihistamines

What are Topical antihistamines?

Topical antihistamines are products that have been manufactured for use on the skin, in the nose, or in the eye. They contain antihistamines which are medicines that block histamine release from histamine-1 receptors and are used to treat the symptoms of an allergic reaction such as edema (swelling), itch, inflammation (redness), sneezing, or a runny nose or watery eyes.

Nasal and ocular topical antihistamines may be used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Topical antihistamine creams may be used to relieve pain and itching due to insect bites, minor cuts and burns, and to resolve rashes due to an allergy or plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. Some topical antihistamines may also be used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus.

BENADRYL^® Itch Cream contains an antihistamine to provide fast, effective relief from itchy skin due to allergic itches, poison ivy, insect bites, mild sunburn or minor skin irritation at the source.

Antihistamines that are taken by mouth (oral) work better than those that are applied directly to the skin (topical) because a pill or capsule contains a specific dose of medicine. The dose in a cream or ointment depends on how much is applied at one time and is harder to control.

Histamine cream is a topical medication. It’s applied to the skin in the area where you’re feeling pain. It’s recommended that you apply a thin layer to your skin and massage it in until it’s thoroughly absorbed. You can usually use it up to 4 times per day, but directions vary by product.

Diphenhydramine is often combined with another active ingredient, zinc acetate. The combination applied to the skin topically helps protect skin and temporarily relieves itching associated with: Insect and bug bites. Sunburn.

Topical antihistamines should be avoided in eczema and are not recommended for longer than 3 days. They are less suitable for prescribing.