Food Allergy & Regular Allergy Meds

Hi Tizz,

My son is 4 and was born with severe food allergies, such as wheat, eggs, beans, tree nuts. and peanuts. I am not sure if I understand your question about the benedryl. Benedryl does help to stop a reaction after a person eats an allergic food. For instance, if my son where to eat a wheat cracker, then he would start vomiting and breaking out in a rash. At that time I would give him the benedryl and the reaction would over a couple hours times go away. However, he can not take benedryl to prevent an allergy attack from the crackers. If you are severely allergic to a food, such as nuts, etc, then you should see a doctor for a epipen prescription. We carry one for my son. Let me know if I could help anymore.

Hi Tizz I have red dye 40 allergy and my doctor has me taking dye free benadryl when I accidently have some. I usually take 2 and it will stop the itching and put the fire out. But it also knocks me out. If I HAVE to stay awake (like to drive) I will take a claritan and it well help the reaction from getting worse but not really do as much good as the benadryl. I did ask my pharmacist and she said that Benadryl is what you should take when it is a non-life threatening reaction. I guess a doctor can prescribe prescription strength too or recommend you take more than the over counter dose. I wouldn't try that on your own though.

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25 Year old married female.  Diagnosed w/ CD 2 years ago, IBS for over 10 years before that, which was probably the CD.