Can antihistamines help with food allergies?

Food allergies can be challenging to manage, and people with these allergies often seek relief from symptoms like itching, hives, and swelling. Antihistamines are commonly used medications that work by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction. These are medications like Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Claritin, to name a few. But can antihistamines really help with food allergies?

While antihistamines can effectively relieve symptoms of allergic reactions, they are not a cure for food allergies. Antihistamines may help alleviate mild to moderate symptoms such as itching, hives, and nasal congestion caused by food allergies. However, they are not effective in preventing or treating severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, which require immediate medical attention and the use of epinephrine.

If your child has an emergency care plan, it will list what symptoms can be treated with an antihistamine vs epinephrine. Bottom line: mild rash, a few hives, itchy runny nose, sneezing = antihistamine. Shortness of breath, wheezing, repetitive cough, trouble breathing/swallowing, swelling of lips/mouth, vomiting or diarrhea, many hives all over, confusion = epinephrine.

Connect with me if you need help understanding how to identify and respond to your child’s allergic reaction.