Dilemma

[outdamnspot]

I'd like to test an OTC anti-histamine (too unwell to actually get to an immunologist) to see if it would help my food sensitivities/histamine reactions.

However, Zyrtec contains lactose and Telfast contains maize starch, both of which I think I'm sensitive to. So this sucks. Is it possible the benefits might outweigh the trace amounts in each tablet? Has anyone else dealt with this?

 

[Wolfcub]

I wonder if there is an inhaler or nasal spray option for an antihistamine that suits you?
I don't have experience with antihistamines, so I don't know what options there are, but I was wondering if there is an alternative which might by-pass the gut (no worries about maize starch or lactose that way)? Or it might be prescription only.... not sure.

 

[Wishful]

If you're unsure that you have significant allergic reactions to those things, then I think that trace amounts are unlikely to cause problems. If your whole face puffed up every time you ate something with slight traces of maize-derived products, that would be a different situation.

If your allergic reactions aren't life-threatening, I suggest testing small amounts of possible allergens to see what you really do need to avoid.

 

[Moof]

If your problem with lactose is due to lack of the lactase enzyme that breaks it down, you can buy it easily as a supplement. I used to feel as if someone had kicked me in the stomach if I ate lactose, but I had a medication that contained it; taking lactase at the same time worked well.

(Eventually, after supplementing with lactase for a couple of years, I regained the ability to produce it myself and can now eat dairy without problems – I'v heard other people say the same, but have no idea why it happens!)

 

[Lisa108]

Try looking up the liquid forms (droplets, syrup)