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Do Antihistamines Make Allergies Worse?

Taking antihistamines can help fight off an allergic attack. But there is new research suggesting that it also might make the next attack even stronger.

Researchers studied 50 mice that were injected with bee venom, a substance that causes nearly all organisms to develop an allergy upon exposure. Half of the mice were also given doses of the antihistamine Clemastine.

Six weeks later, the mice were injected with more bee venom. The mice that had been given antihistamines reacted more violently to the second venom injection. The researchers theorized that the mice given allergy medication had no chance to build up a tolerance to the allergen.


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Comment on This Article Community Comments (7)
 
 
Posted On Jan 14, 2008
Similar problem for the body when given antibiotics unnecessarily.

 
foxtroter_203
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
foxtroter_203  
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Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
 
Posted On Jan 14, 2008
To answer the post title question: YES.

 
 
 
Posted On Jan 14, 2008
As a teen, one of my chores was mowing the lawn, and trimming the hedges.  I used to be swollen from the allergies.  My mom never "treated it" and told me, "your body will learn how to fight it all by itself".  Oddly, each summer my allergies diminished and today, I never , ever have any traces of allergies of anything .  I see people suffer throughout the year, and I feel that I am so lucky to never suffer from allergies. 

 
samurai
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 4/2007
samurai  
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Aaltrude
Moderator User Moderator User Joined On 4/2007
Aaltrude  
 
Posted On Jan 14, 2008
Samurai - I had a similar experience. Every spring as a child I used to break out in hives whenever the elm tree opposite our house was pollinating. Each year the reaction was less than the previous year until I grew out of it completely.


Casie Girl
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 3/2007
Casie Girl  
 
Posted On Jan 15, 2008
Your mom knew what she was talking about.  Our bodies were built to take care of a lot that challenges them.  Unfortunately, nowadays, we don't give it the fair chance and ultimately do ourselves more harm than good.

 
 
 
Posted On Jan 15, 2008
My allergies were really bad when I worked at a large home improvement store.  Possibly because I did take and otc medication for it.

Last year I took a spoonful of raw, local honey everytime I had symptoms instead, and it worked quite well.  I would drink a cup of raw milk to wash it down.

We will see if it will work again this year.

 
nanciesweb
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
nanciesweb  
 
 
 
Posted On Jan 14, 2008
Allergies depend on how strong your immune system is.  There are times when I can just see poison Ivy and I break out in hives.  Other times I can roll in it without even a blister, and it is related to how well I have been eating.

Mary

 
mmc88121
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 11/2006
mmc88121  
 
 
 
 
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