Sunday, December 6, 2009

Benadryl for Christmas

Tips from a nurse…  Actually the word is ANTIHISTAMINE but most of us recognize Benadryl. Go to the drug store and get both the capsules and liquid form. In fact, get two. Put one set in your emergency med kit and give the second set to someone who can't buy it for Christmas.

Save it for allergic reactions. Go on web or med book and find the signs and symptoms of these reactions. They come in many forms depending on what has caused the reaction.

I'm a nurse who has PREACHED this to family and friends for years. Yet when my Son had a reaction to a new hot chocolate mix, he didn't recognize it. For him it was itchy skin, nausea, feeling dizzy, skin rash then hives. swelling in the face and neck had started. Fortunately when I found out what was happening and took action, the Benadryl stopped that.

As the staff for 911 calls are cut back, time in getting help will be longer. The antihistamine will slow down these reactions and give the responders a better chance.

Some reaction are mild. others CAN AND HAVE KILLED. Believe me, doing mouth to mouth on someone who's inside of the throat is swollen shut is very difficult. Make sure you take the person to see a Doctor. What is mild one time can be life threatening the next time. Benadryl is not a save all, it's just a slow down. Do Not Put Off getting help.

Posted:  True Health Is True Wealth

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