The problems with common over the counter antihistamine allergy medicines intended for humans are many.
Many people turn to over the counter antihistamines unaware that these drugs may carry an increased risk of cognitive decline in humans. For years researchers have investigated the possible relationship between anticholinergics and declining cognitive health. Why would the same not be true for animals?
Most of them fall in the anticholinergic category, the same class of drugs as tricyclic antidepressants and sleep aids. They block acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter involved with attention and memory.
A person with hayfever, sniffling and sneezing, can be assumed to live in an environment where dust mites and pollen are constant. So theoretically it might make sense to suppress the release of histamine all day long. The idea is to suppress the allergic response before it happens.
But with housepets, people tend to jump in with allergy relief medication after the dog starts rubbing its face and itching. By that time the histamine has already been released, and an antihistamine will have minimal effect. You would have to give it three or four times a day, and you will notice drowsiness and dry mouth. In Florida you would be using this type of medication for about six months every year. That is highly troublesome. Do not do it.
The vast majority of our itchy patients are suffering from insect bite allergies: fleas, mosquitoes, no-see-ums and ants. That condition is five or ten times more itchy than hayfever, and OTC human allergy meds are almost useless against it.
We prefer a combination of Chinese herbal supplements and mushroom and ashwagandha immune products. Do not think of these as anti itch medicines. That is not how they work. It is up to you to provide an insect bite free environment, and then the supplements work as a preventative, not a cure.
Call our office and we will give you the formula for a natural insect repellent you can make yourself. We can teach you to make an anti itch poultice out of Aveeno oatmeal and aloe vera, and how to reduce pollen and dust mites in your house and on your pets.
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