From the Guidelines
Diphenhydramine is the most commonly recommended Over-The-Counter (OTC) medication for pruritus (itching) following a food allergy reaction 1.
Available OTC Medications
- H1 antihistamines: such as diphenhydramine, which can be used to relieve mild symptoms of food allergy reactions, including pruritus 1.
- H2 antihistamines: such as ranitidine, which can be used in conjunction with H1 antihistamines to provide additional relief from symptoms 1.
Important Considerations
- Antihistamines should not be used in place of epinephrine for severe reactions 1.
- For severe reactions, epinephrine is the first line of treatment, and antihistamines can be used as adjunctive therapy 1.
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, can be used to prevent late-onset activation of immune mediators, but their benefit is limited in the acute management of anaphylaxis 1.
Dosage Information
- Diphenhydramine: every 6 hours for 2-3 days 1.
- Ranitidine: twice daily for 2-3 days 1.
- Prednisone: daily for 2-3 days 1.
From the Research
Available Treatments
- There are no specific Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications mentioned in the provided studies for pruritus (itching) following a food allergy reaction.
- However, some studies suggest that treatment for pruritus includes avoidance of the trigger and symptom management 2.
- Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been found to have potential as a safe and effective therapy for food allergy and eczema, including reduction of itching 3.
- Topical products, including those available OTC, may be used in dermatology, but their safety, utility, and tolerability must be considered 4.
Management of Food Allergy
- Current treatment of food allergy focuses on avoidance of the allergen and prompt emergency management of reactions 5.
- Epinephrine autoinjectors are provided to patients for the treatment of severe reactions 5.
- Novel therapies, such as oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapy, and allergen non-specific therapies like the Chinese herbal formula FAHF-2 and omalizumab, are under investigation 3, 5.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis of food allergy requires a careful history and supportive testing with laboratory studies and possibly oral food challenges 5.
- Treatment of drug-induced itch includes discontinuation of the suspected causative drug, vigorous symptomatic antipruritic treatment, and specific therapies for different types of drug-induced itch 6.