Antihistamines, Relievers to Allergic Reactions

Having allergies is annoying. The skin can suddenly become itchy and redden or sneeze when exposed to allergens (allergens). However, you can be relieved because these effects can be alleviated by taking antihistamines. Antihistamines are a type of drug used to treat various types of allergies. For example, food allergies, insect stings, skin allergies, eye allergies, and other allergies. This drug can only reduce the reactions caused by allergies.

How Antihistamines Work

Our body has a chemical called histamine. When there are harmful substances, such as viruses or bacteria, enter the body, histamine will appear and react against these substances. Histamine resistance against this dangerous substance can make the body experience inflammation or inflammation. However, if you have allergies, histamine cannot distinguish which substances are dangerous and not. The result, when there are harmless substances such as food, dust, or pollen, the body continues to experience inflammation or allergic reactions. Some examples of allergic reactions that occur are itchy skin, redness and swelling, runny nose, sneezing, or swollen eyes. Antihistamines can stop histamine from influencing body cells to excrete these allergic reactions. Usually, antihistamine tablets can start working within half an hour after being taken. You can feel the effect maximally after 1-2 hours of consumption time. If you have an allergy to pollen from plants, it is better to take antihistamines regularly in the growing season of the plant. This method is more effective than taking it occasionally.

Types of Antihistamines

Antihistamines are divided into two types namely first generation and second generation.

• The first generation

This type has a calming effect. When taken by mouth, there are general side effects that you can feel such as drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, disturbances in thinking, blurred vision, and difficulty emptying the bladder. The types of first-generation antihistamines include clemastine, alimemazine, chlorphenamine, cyproheptadine, hydroxyzine, ketotifen and promethazine.

• Second generation

This type has no sedative effect. When taken, the effects of drowsiness will not be as big as the first generation of drugs. Even so, you still have to be careful when driving or operating heavy equipment, because the effect of drowsiness is still possible. Second generation antihistamines have fewer side effects than the first generation, such as dry mouth, headaches, dry nose, and nausea. The types of second-generation antihistamines include fexofenadine, levocetirizine, loratadine, mizolastine acrivastine, cetirizine, and desloratadine.

So, which type of antihistamine is the best? All types of antihistamines can deal with allergic reactions well as long as according to the complaint you are experiencing. For example, if you have allergic itching on the skin, you can take first-generation antihistamines. The sleepy effects of this generation of antihistamine drugs can help you sleep soundly even though your skin is itchy. If you experience allergic complaints, then to determine the appropriate antihistamine drug, please consult a doctor. Apart from being in the form of tablets, antihistamines can also be obtained in the form of capsules, liquid, eye drops and nasal spray. This drug can be consumed by most people, but there are some groups of people who are not recommended taking antihistamines. Including pregnant and breastfeeding women, suffering from epilepsy, kidney disorders, heart disease, and liver disease. Therefore, antihistamines should be consumed carefully and according to doctor's instructions.