zrytec vs steriod in managing eczema

Hi all, something interesting to ponder about for mummies with eczema kids. Since my daughter's last visit to her paed allergist, he recommended together by steriod use I should give my daughter, now 19 mths, zrytec (in baby doses) when she has a flare-up. However, never consider giving it until she developed a nasty reaction couple of months back from an insect bite making her ear swelled up like a balloon, which led us to hospital emergency and the doctor saying we need zrytec pronto. Interesting thing is that upon one single dose of zrytec, not only did the ear swell subsided totally, the old rashes on her body not caused by insect bite eg mouth rash were gone too. And stayed gone for 2-3 weeks. Then last week a mild 'accident' happened at a party and 'cos it involved eggs which she is very allergic to, I gave her zrytec and again the itchiness stopped and mouth rash gone!


Okay, my question to the panel is this: as I use steriod now only to treat her stubborn mouth rash, would zrytec outweigh the use of steroid at this sensitive part of the body, cos despite being extremely careful and putting it along her lipline after she sleeps, it bothers me she must have swallowed some even in her sleep. Worth noting I am using elocon=elomet, the more potent steroid than 1% hydrocortisone, the latter having no effect. My husband's brother, with 2 eczema kids himself, said he gives zrytec nightly to the older child, aged 3 now, as it helps him breathe and not vomit at night from build-up of mucus at back of throat (he suffers from bad respiratory problems from allergy to dustmites). This child was initally given steroid spray but parents switched to zrytec as they are also uncomfortable spraying steroid up the child's nose.


My question is: is zrytec the better of two evils so to speak? Can a child become immune to zrytec like antibiotics? My husband is strong advocate for zrytec as he takes another anti-histamine, clarytene, all his life with seemingly no problems. I myself suffered from snius problems in my teens and was prescribed some antihistamine medicine. Of course we are talking about a under 2 here and I being a fanatical mum, wish to do my own research before giving anything, medication or cream alike, to her.


Specifically, anyone giving zrytec regularly to their kids to manage eczema? Please share your thoughts...

jwng, if your child is having genuine cold, Dimetapp should help but not Zrytec I suspect. If she is reacting to the molds, then perhaps she is having an allergic reaction. The doctor should be able to differentiate the two?


There are definitely Zyrtec syrups around, and specifically for babies too. I have two zrytec bottles, one from australia and one from Malaysia, both boxes read 5mg/5ml. Not sure where you can get it in HK though.

I have used Zeyrted in HK with a 9 years old. You can find Zyrtec in fanda (I use the drops, not the syrup).

As far as I know, in case of a bad eczema, the doctor told us to give some Atarax at night to help relieve the itching and some Zyrtec in the morning. She did say to use it only if we needed to... I have been on Zyrtec myself and do find that it makes me sleepy.

I wouldn't use it all the time with a child as it might create a dependance...

Talk to your doctor about it.

Mine is Dr Eunice Wong. Also, I use Unicort cream (midler than elomet) in case of smal reaction, Elomet Ointment in caese of bad eczema (but only for very short period)


Good luck!