Featured Review: Oral H1 antihistamines as ‘add-on’ therapy to topical treatment for eczema

The findings of this Cochrane Review may challenge the prescribing of H1 antihistamines for patients with eczema.This Cochrane Review assessed theeffects of oral H1 antihistamines as ' add-on ' therapy to topical treatment in adults and children with eczema. Are H1 antihistamines taken as tablets or liquid, effective and safe in people of any age with diagnosed eczema, if given in addition to creams and ointments, compared to treatment with an inactive substance (placebo) or nothing added to creams and ointments?Eczema (also known as ' atopic eczema/dermatitis ' ) is a skin disorder frequently affecting both children and adults. In developed countries, 10% to 20% of all people are affected by eczema during their lifetime. The main symptom is itch, which results in scratching and, together with skin inflammation, frequently produces reddening of the skin. The symptoms of eczema can lead to sleeplessness and fatigue, lowering quality of life. Antihistamines are frequently given for itch (specifically H1 antihistamines taken by mouth), and they may alleviate the symptoms of eczema when given in addition to conventional treatments directly applied to the skin (e.g. emollients, moisturisers, steroid creams), although they are not thought to cure it.Many antihistamines are available without prescription, for instance, cetirizine or loratadine. Although H1 antihistamines are frequently prescribed for treating eczema, we do not know whether they are effective and safe. The review inc...
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