Benadryl for child under 2???

jodylynn · September 2009

Has anyone given to their child? My pedi said to give carter a half teaspoon for some kind of bite or something he has on his arm. I have never given to him and the bottle says not to use for under 2 yrs old. I've also read negative things about benadryl and young children. Thoughts?

Kristin125 · September 2009

I've never heard anything bad, but I've never researched it. My pedi has us give J 3/4 tsp if he inadvertently gets milk (he's allergic). We've also given it to him when his allergies were going crazy b/c we were staying with friends who have dogs (also allergic).

Kristin125 · September 2009

Is the bite bothering him? If not I wouldn't worry about it. Could you try some benadryl cream instead?

myrall · September 2009

I'm pretty sure the "don't give under 2" is so that parents don't go dosing their kids without a pediatrician's consult.

Geneva gets 1/2 tsp. Zyrtec occasionally when she gets an allergy-related runny nose and that bottle says NO for under 2 also. I haven't heard anything about Benadryl, though. If you're hesitant about Benadryl, is it okay for you to put a little hydrocortosone on the bite to relieve some of the itching?

tracigator · September 2009

I've used it before due to some mosquito bites that were bothering him. Wasn't a problem. I think in some kids it will make them hyper instead of drowsy so that may be what you're thinking about.

jodylynn · September 2009

Hey yes he's itching it. First it was like this black round thing and we took him in and they said probably a pinch and a blood blister. So ok ..then a few days later i notice its no longer round and black/red but it is like a spider bite or something or bee sting looking. So we take him back in and they told us benadryl and this antibiotic? I didnt even know they had a cream. I will ask them about that. Thanks Kristin.

jodylynn · September 2009

Thanks everyone! I'll let DH know - he is talking to our nurse pedi this morning.

Kristin125 · September 2009

That bite sounds terrible.

Hope it gets better soon. Is this the same thing you posted about awhile back that you didn't know what was? Seems like that was awhile ago.

jodylynn · September 2009

Yes and it is still going on. We still have no idea what it was in first place!

KT&John · September 2009

I am generally conservative with using OTC medications for Cadence, but I have had to give her 1tsp doses at 9 months when she had an allergic reaction to amoxicillian. She did fine with it.

Like pp said if it is just 1 bite something topical might do the trick.

Melliebugs · September 2009

Hi Jody--I am so sorry that Carter is dealing with this. I give 3/4tsp for Maggie when she is having a runny nose from allergies/cold (who can tell which it is). I also have given to lil Noah for years for his allergies. They don't like you to give the cough/cold meds to kids under 6 so that really is the only alternative (allergy meds for a cold??). I hope that Carter feels better.

Great thing about Benedryl it has been around forever so I think hte kinks have been worked out.

seansgirl2006 · September 2009

I'm with myrall- all of those medicines say not to give to children under 2 and don't give dosages listed so that you won't do it without your pedi. When we give Ethan tylenol for his shots, we have to find out the dosage for his weight from the pedi because it's not listed either. We have not had to give Benadryl for him but our dr did say it was ok. He tried powder formula and had a sensitivity to it, face got all red. She said to only use ready feed until he's older but if it happened again, that Benadryl was ok for him.

slwprincess · September 2009

We give gavin 1/2 a teaspoon when we are travelling. We are pretty sure that he is allergic to dust or something that is rampant in hotels. He always gets sick when we travel so the pedi suggested trying a little benadryl to see if it makes a difference. So far, it has helped. We are going to Disney on Sat and I plan to start that morning so it will be in his system for the plane ride as well.

edw2353 · September 2009

For bites I use the cream and for allergies (itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and running nose) I give the liquid. But you can't use both at the same time. I would clean it up good then use the ointment. The liquid makes them drowsy.

Temp925407062502290 · September 2009

I had to use it a couple months ago with Nate because he had an allergic reaction to something and got hives. The emergency center and my pedi said it was ok

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