Antihistamines calm allergic reactions such as hives, itching, sneezing and swelling from insect stings, plants, foods or new medicines when a doctor is hours away. Use them for mild to moderate reactions, and reach for an epinephrine auto-injector and call for help if breathing becomes hard.
Antihistamines earn their spot in a first-aid kit by calming hives, itching and swelling from stings, plants and foods. Stock types that fit everyone in your household.
- Two types: Keep a fast-acting option such as diphenhydramine for sudden reactions and a non-drowsy option such as loratadine or cetirizine for all-day relief.
- Household quantity: Lay in enough doses for each adult to treat a reaction for three to five days.
- Children's doses: Add a liquid or chewable children's formula with clear dosing by weight or age if you have kids.
- Packaging: Choose foil blister packs, which keep tablets dry and let you tuck a strip into a go-bag.
- Shelf life: Write the expiration date on the kit and replace the supply before that date.
- Drowsiness: Save sedating types for rest time and check labels against other medicines you take.
