Man, I am having a weird reaction to something. Is it safe to mix different types of allergy meds? I've taken (generic) Benadryl, and I've got generic versions of Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra standing by. Also have liberally applied some hydrocortisone cream and have a few other lotions I could try but I feel like the internal application is what's gonna really help. The Benadryl is definitely helping but I would like to feel more normal and less itchy if I can...

Oh yeah, you can. I take benadryl and Claritin every night.

What you shouldn't do is mix Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra, but you CAN take any 1 of them with Benadryl.

You can take 2 Benadryl at a time, although it may well zonk you out, unless you're me (and, I think, Cass).

And even though the Zyrtec/Claritin/Allegra says 1 pill every 24 hours, for a significant allergic reaction that won't budge, you can take 1 pill every 12 hours.

Finally, in Oddities Of Pharmaceuticals, you can add Zantac (or the generic, ranitidine) to the mix -- it is actually a histamine blocker, and apparently works pretty well for skin reactions.

How long ago did you take the Benadryl? Sometimes it takes a little while to work. I wouldn't double up too much on internal and external stuff.

Ooh, forget what I said. I like Tep's answer better. Also, I did not know that about Zantac!

Also, I did not know that about Zantac!

I'm not just a repository of pharmaceutical knowledge; I learned it the hard way! When, in some twist of human biology that I should no longer be surprised at, I had an allergic reaction to freaking vitamin D supplements, it made me itchy all over, and Awesome Doctor told me about Zantac being helpful for cutaneous reactions.

I am such a goddamn delicate flower.

I wouldn't double up too much on internal and external stuff.

I'm a little cavalier about what *I* take, but it's fine to take benadryl and something from the Claritin/Zyrtec/Allegra triumvirate.

THANK YOU TEP!

I did not pick up any Zantac (I just went to the drugstore and bought one of everything in the allergy aisle, basically. The cashier sympathised with my presumed plight). I did take two Benadryl right away, and now I'll take the Claritin because I think I've taken it before and it was okay.

That was freaky - I went for a run and a couple minutes in the backs of my hands started itching. By the time I got home my fingers were noticeably swollen and most of my body was itching and I was feeling like my tongue was bigger than normal although that may have just been me paying attention to how my tongue felt. No idea what could have caused it. Thank god for antihistamines!

Yikes, -t!

I'm a little cavalier about what *I* take, but it's fine to take benadryl and something from the Claritin/Zyrtec/Allegra triumvirate.

But you wouldn't double up on Benadryl, right? Like, take two Benadryl and use the cream? Or take another Benadryl?

When, in some twist of human biology that I should no longer be surprised at, I had an allergic reaction to freaking vitamin D supplements, it made me itchy all over, and Awesome Doctor told me about Zantac being helpful for cutaneous reactions.

Oh gosh, Steph, could you tell me a little more about this? I've had a sudden resurgance of the horrible symptomless itch, and I was suspicious that it was the new Vitamin D supp I was taking, but I didn't think it was actually possible to be allergic to Vitamin D. Maybe I'll grab some Zantac tomorrow.

But you wouldn't double up on Benadryl, right? Like, take two Benadryl and use the cream? Or take another Benadryl?

I had the sense to look at the directions on the Benadryl lotion that said Do Not Use With Oral Benadryl before I slathered any on. The Aveeno Hydrocortisone came me enough temporary relief until the Benadryl and Claritin kicked in.

Wow, my typing has gone to hell. Y'all would not believe how much backspacing and editing I am doing

Allergy meds make me inept even if they don't knock me out.

I'm so amused that my wee little Pumpkin-cat is snoring behind my knees. She's such a delicate little thing, even when she's death-defying, but she's a snorty-mc-snorer.

But you wouldn't double up on Benadryl, right? Like, take two Benadryl and use the cream? Or take another Benadryl?

I probably would, although I wouldn't have guessed that the Benadryl lotion would say to not use it with oral Benadryl. (I tend to think not much drug is systemically absorbed through the skin, but perhaps I should read labels more closely.)

When, in some twist of human biology that I should no longer be surprised at, I had an allergic reaction to freaking vitamin D supplements, it made me itchy all over, and Awesome Doctor told me about Zantac being helpful for cutaneous reactions.

Oh gosh, Steph, could you tell me a little more about this? I've had a sudden resurgance of the horrible symptomless itch, and I was suspicious that it was the new Vitamin D supp I was taking, but I didn't think it was actually possible to be allergic to Vitamin D.

I was taking (I think) 400 IU a day, and after a week or 2, I got really flushed and itchy and red all over. I hadn't introduced any other new food, medication, laundry detergent, etc., so I'm 99% sure it was the vitamin D. I have no idea what the mechanism of action was to trigger the reaction, but it lasted for a couple of weeks even after I stopped taking it (I assume because it's a fat-soluble vitamin, so you don't just pee out the excess).