Is There a Benadryl for Infants? Side Effects

Antihistamines like Benadryl are used to treat allergies caused by histamines, which are released to defend the body against allergens. Histamines are responsible for allergy symptoms such as itching, congestion, and redness, as well as as the increased mucus secretion seen in cold and cough. 

With allergies, the immune system misidentifies typically harmless agents such as pollen and dust as foreign invaders and responds with the same inflammatory responses. Therefore, during allergic reactions, people experience symptoms such as itching and skin swelling.

Antihistamines have been at the forefront of allergy treatment for many years because they effectively relieve symptoms of seasonal, indoor, and food allergies. They can also be used to treat hives and skin rashes.

Antihistamines work by blocking or reducing the amount of histamines, thereby alleviating allergy symptoms. They cannot, however, treat every symptom. For example, for nasal decongestion, decongestant medications may be prescribed in addition to antihistamines.

Generally, antihistamines are classified into two groups:

• First-generation or sedating antihistamines can cause drowsiness in most people. They include chlorpheniramine, promethazine, hydroxyzine, triprolidine, and diphenhydramine.
• Second-generation or nonsedating antihistamines cause less drowsiness and are usually recommended. They include cetirizine, loratadine, desloratadine, and fexofenadine.

The safety of first-generation antihistamines has never been fully examined in children of any age group. Second-generation antihistamines, however, have been the focus of multiple studies in children, allowing for a greater understanding of their safety profiles and suitable doses.

Side effects of antihistamines are generally more pronounced with first-generation antihistamines and may include:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Nausea and vomiting
• Restlessness or moodiness (in some children)
• Lack of concentration
• Changes in appetite
• Trouble urinating or inability to urinate
• Constipation
• Blurred vision
• Confusion

Rare side effects of antihistamines include:

• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• Nightmares
• Hallucinations
• Itchy skin
• Convulsions
• Rapid heartbeat
• Chest tightness

Children, particularly those younger than 6 years old, are more vulnerable to the side effects of antihistamines like Benadryl. Parents are therefore advised not to give antihistamines to their children without first consulting a doctor or pharmacist.

Common treatment options for allergies include:

• Antihistamines: Alleviate symptoms by inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells. Antihistamine nasal and ocular sprays can be used to treat seasonal allergies.
• Intranasal corticosteroid nasal sprays (INCS): Help with mild to severe allergies. A prescription may be required for higher doses.
• Combination therapies (INCS and antihistamine): Used to treat moderate to severe allergic rhinitis and combine the advantages of both medications.
• Adrenaline (epinephrine): Used to treat life-threatening severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). In an emergency, an adrenaline auto-injector is commonly used.
• Allergen immunotherapy (also called desensitization): Long-term treatment that alters the immune system's response to allergen and involves regularly injecting or administering sublingual tablets, sprays, or drops containing progressively increasing doses of allergen extracts.

The best way to avoid allergy symptoms is to limit exposure to allergens. Management strategies include closing your windows when indoors, removing allergens from your hair, skin, and clothes, etc. 

If none of these methods work to alleviate your allergy symptoms, see an allergist. If symptoms become severe enough to cause difficulty breathing, seek medical attention right away. It is critical to inform your doctor about how your allergies are affecting your life in order to receive the best treatment.