Antihistamines

These are very useful to keep in your medicine kit. Make sure you are using a newer (2nd or 3rd) generation antihistamine such as Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra. Older (1st) generation antihistamines such as Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) are no longer recommended due to significant side effects such as sedation and anticholinergic effects, which have been linked to an increased risk of dementia later in life.

Antihistamines are most useful for things like environmental allergies and allergic reactions to food, medications, etc. Sometimes they can help itchy skin in other scenarios too, like eczema or other itchy rashes of various origins, but they’re most effective for definite allergic conditions. The second and third generation antihistamines are very safe and effective, and have minimal to no side effects for most people, so it’s often reasonable to give them a try for such things. Dosing for children is found below. Be sure to contact our office (or call 911 if severe) with any concerns about allergic reactions, however. Antihistamines alone are not enough to stop a severe allergic reaction.

Between these options there aren’t significant differences besides youngest age available, so it might come down to which you prefer or have on hand. Zyrtec (cetirizine) has the most data at the youngest age (6 months), and has the fastest onset, but also has slightly more common reports of sedation than other 2nd gen options (though sedation is still rare). For older kids when rapid action is not a priority, Claritin (loratadine) or Allegra (fexofenadine) may be best. For infants less than 2 years old, Zyrtec has the most data although there is limited data now on using Allegra down to age 6 months which may again have less sedation. When rapid onset is a priority, Zyrtec seems to have the slight lead. But again, all these differences are slight, so you might just pick one and stick with it, or possibly two for a couple different scenarios.

Antihistamine Children’s dosing:

Children's Zyrtec (cetirizine 5mg/5ml or 10mg dissolve tab) dosage:

  • Age 6-12 months: 2.5 mL once daily

  • Age 1-2 years: 2.5 mL 1-2 times daily

  • Age 2-5 years: 2.5 mL to 5 mL once daily

  • Age 6+ years: 5 to 10mL (or one 10mg dissolve tab) once daily

Children's Claritin (loratadine 5mg/5ml or 5mg chewable tabs) dosage:

  • Age 2-5 years: 5ml or 1 chewable tablet once daily

  • Age 6+ years: 10ml or 2 chewable tablets once daily

Children’s Allegra (fexofenadine 30 mg/5 mL or 30 mg disintegrating tab) dosage:

  • Ages 6 months to 2 years: 2.5mL (15 mg) twice daily

  • Ages 2 to 11 years: 5mL or 1 disintegrating tab (30 mg) twice daily

  • Ages ≥12 years: 180 mg adult tablet once daily

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Same-day appointments

For urgent needs, same-day appointments are available Monday through Friday. Please call as early in the day as possible, the more notice we have the easier it is to fit everyone in. 

Need help outside of office hours?

Firstly, if your child has an emergency, please call 911 or go directly to the ER - they will contact us if needed once your child has been evaluated.

Urgent Care centers can also be helpful when something needs to be seen outside of office hours but it's not an emergency. 

For our list of preferred Urgent Cares and ERs, see our resources page.

And if you have something that might need urgent attention but you're not sure/don't know what to do, we can help: