What Do Antihistamines Do?
Antihistamine is a type of drug designed to block the body’s natural response to allergy. When your body is exposed to allergens, it will start to release histamine. This is a type of chemical that will encourage the body to release fluid from cells. This will also trigger stuffy nose and cell inflammation. All these can lead to a feeling of itch, which is usually due to irritated skin cells.
Your body’s immune system helps to keep you protected against dangerous substances. The histamine released from your body clog your nose and respiratory system. However, often times, your body ends up releasing histamine because it mistakes harmless substance as dangerous. Antihistamines block the body’s release of histamines to allow you to breathe comfortably and prevent itch.
However, as fibromyalgia itching is not likely caused by histamines, antihistamines may not always work for relieving fibromyalgia itch.
Nope. I couldn’t live without Zyrtec. Without it, I would go insane from itching. It works.
I use topical and oral antihistamines, ie, Benadryl. It has provided a lot of comfort from the fibro-itch. So I say Yes!
The Dermatologist gave me a cream that helped with the itching. She said people with Neruroligical issues can have itching.
I’ve found Hydroxyzine to be a very effective and safe treatment for the itching. I’ve been using it for years.
I take four to six piriton a day, due to asthma and other allergies and I don’t see any relief from fibromyalgia itching at all. Unfortunately I haven’t found anything else that works for me yet.
My itching happens when I lay down at night. Bendryl will help and Zyrtec during the day. Totally staying away from gluten and sugar and dairy mostly gluten absolutely helps.
Hi Joanne I was told to go gluten free because it helps, is this true
I use strong cortisone cream, but that doesn’t always help, so I have found that Benadryl really helps, but it does make me drowsy. I would rather sleep than itch! I have also taken extra Neurontin that usually helps after awhile. Maybe I’ll try a less strong antihistamine during the day. I’ve always felt it’s our hyper sensitive nerve endings that cause the itching, just like they cause so many other things. Maybe they will find the answer soon.
No relief from Antihistamines. Feel like I have spiders crawling under my skin . I would scratch to the point of testing my skin. I now take Ketamine 2mls when it happens and it stops the itch within 2 minutes. I find it keeps it under control and I don’t have to take the Ketamine everyday.
Yvonne.
When I increased the dose of duloxetine (cymbalta) for the pain part of fibro, the itching subsided partially, too. Not perfect, but better than losing my mind over either pain or itching.
I use hydroxyzine and have for several years…works for me.
Does the itching with Fibro also occur in eyes as well?
I use triamcinolone Acetonide Ointment and Cream
You can use the ointment in the daytime since it won’t get on your clothing like the Cream does.
I also use hydroxyzine a few times daily.
I have scratched and made sores on my body. Been to several dermatologist or physician assistant. The last two told me that it is stress related. He also put me on Allegra D, R?, and two more. I forget the names. I only take loratidine(sp?). P. A. told me that he could help me with the itching but, I had to promise to quit scratching.
I hope this helps.
I use EO’S ( Essential oils ) they are amazing n all natural no weird side effects either!!!! Rosemary, Tea Tree, Myrrh, Lavender & Frankincense with some Coconut oil as my carrier oil, plus Coconut oil absorbs really fast, so you don’t feel greasy, just feel Wonderful, your skin will Love you, n your itching will subside, but it never really goes away !!!!! Hugs flying ❤❤❤ PEACE N LOVE TOO ✌
I’ve had fibro for 50 yrs. has really worsened in last 14 yes to stage in can hardly walk or look after my self. Only way I stopped 95% if my itch was go off all meds. Endone. OxyContin. Norspan. Cortisone were the worse affenders even antibiodics. Advil causes itch too but only take every now and then when pain hits 100. Most days pain sits on 75. If lucky two days out of three weeks maybe a 10. On these days I try to do what needs to be done then ready for next pain wave. Nothing sets it off just the way the cookie crumbles. I don’t take anything as have major reactions to all.
I’ve been itching for 3 months now and was put on antihistamines twice (the 2nd dose was stronger). Had no effect. Also creams and shampoo as it’s on my head and ears. None of them worked. Doctor was totally uninterested when I suggested Fibromyalgia. He couldn’t see anything though I assured him the itching was unbearable! Now I have lumps too after 2 months of it. Going back again as found a Doctor at ny surgery who actually thinks it’s due to Fibromyalgia and seems to know something about the Condition.
I’ve had fibro for 34 years. I get the itches sometimes at night. It’s like I’m being bitten by misquitos all over my body. One Benedryl tab calms it down. I think it’s something to do with nerve endings. I’m having good results from using essential oils, & CBD oil from hemp, for some symptoms of fibro.
I was diagnosed with Fibro, sjogrens and a few other AI’s over 25 years ago now… I have a very high intolerance for drugs including topical ones….. I have found my itching stopped after including pure apple cider vinegar in my diet – in a drink at least once a day and this has stopped the intolerable itching for me….
I don’t itch everyday but when I do it is always at bedtime. I take two Benadryl and the itching goes away and it helps me sleep.
When I get spells of itch or pinpricks with my FM, I’ve found that taking activated charcoal capsules regularly for a few days/weeks will stop the hypersensitivity for months. Not sure what triggers these episodes, but limiting sugar and gluten is helpful and taking digestive enzymes routinely has improved my GI problems. Also kombucha seems to illuminate allergy symptoms of all kinds.