Allergic To Benadryl - Allergies Message Board

petemaresco · 04-30-2007, 11:37 PM

We just discovered that my girlfriend is highly allergic to benadryl. As we speak she is laying in bed covered with hives which are leaving her in agony, covered in ice packs. Does anyone have any experience with such issues, or know of a way to counteract the active ingredients in benadryl?

mkgbrook · 05-01-2007, 07:30 AM

Just replied to your previous post.

Never heard of a benedryl allergy.. anti-histamines.. block allergic reaction producing histamines. You need to get to an allergist and be tested it may be a dye or inactive ingrediant in the benedryl.

Look into OTC Claritin for some relief.. but do it in a controlled enviroment. You may be looking at an immunological disorder instead of allergic. An allergist/immunologist is your best bet at curing this.

Sincerely,
MG

Laenini · 05-01-2007, 07:51 AM

The previous poster is correct in that an allergy to Benadryl is highly unusual. Often, when someone thinks they have reacted to Benadryl, its really either the red dye in the product or something else that had nothing to do with the Bendryl in the first place. She must have already been having some type of allergy symptom that triggered her to take a dose of Benadryl, right? It could be that allergy has progressed and is not responding to the Benadryl. If you do think it could be the dye, Benadryl does make a dye free version of their product. It should be readily available in most drug stores.

Misty800 · 05-01-2007, 09:13 AM

In January 2007 my dermatologist warned me about Benadryl allergy. I was using Benadryl daily on face to relieve itching from Rosacea.

Apparently becoming allergic to Benadryl is not so rare after all.

If I was at risk using the topical, would hate to take Benadryl pills.

mkgbrook · 05-01-2007, 09:22 AM

I have Rosacea, exzyma, and severe contact dermatitus.. have you had a contact skin allergy test done? I am allegic to the emulsifiers in creams and suspensions... propylene glycol to be specific. And a few perservatives and such.. all my creams, lotions, deodorant.. had to be changed. It may be something in the Bendryl mix they tested you with.. it is hard for them to test you using just the active ingrediant there mixtures are not made addidtive free.

I am not saying a Benedryl allergy is unlikely.. just that I find it highly improbable given my knowledge of chemistry and chemical reactivity.

Sincerely,
MG