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Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology pp 640–643Cite as

Topical Antihistamines

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Synonyms

Topical antihistaminic agents; Topical histamine antagonists; Topical histamine blockers

Definition

Topical antihistamines are applied to skin to provide relief of pruritus. Although antihistamines demonstrate H1 and H2 histamine receptor blockades, the exact mechanism of how they exert antipruritic effects remains unknown (Zonalon® and Benadryl® topical cream prescribing information). Two common uses for topical antihistamines are for temporary relief of pain and itching associated with multiple insults, including insect bites, minor skin irritations, and urushiol-induced contact dermatitis associated with the Toxicodendron genus in North America. There is an overarching question to the safety and efficacy of topical antihistamines.

Mechanism of Action

Histamine is an endogenous autacoid amine that has many important physiologic functions in neurotransmission, inflammation, and gastric acid secretion (Thurman 2008). Most notably, histamine is vital in mediating...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Research, University of South Florida, College of Pharmacy, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 30, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Kristy M. Shaeer, Shyam Gelot & Jose Barboza

Authors
  1. Kristy M. Shaeer
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  2. Shyam Gelot
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  3. Jose Barboza
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kristy M. Shaeer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    Ian R. Mackay

  2. Center for Autoimmune Disease Research, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Noel R. Rose

  3. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA

    Dennis K. Ledford

  4. Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA

    Richard F. Lockey

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Shaeer, K.M., Gelot, S., Barboza, J. (2014). Topical Antihistamines. In: Mackay, I.R., Rose, N.R., Ledford, D.K., Lockey, R.F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_246

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_246

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-9193-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9194-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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