Mild allergic reactions

Key signs of mild allergy

  • Urticaria and rash, particularly of chest, hands and feet
  • Rhinitis, conjunctivitis
  • Mild bronchospasm without evidence of severe shortness of breath

Management

Administer 1 Cetirizine Tablet, 10 mg.

Cetirizine‡ Tablet, 10 mg or Oral Solution, 5 mg/5 ml

6–11 years

5 mg

12-17 years

As for adults

For adults:

Administer 1 Cetirizine Tablet, 10 mg.

For children:

Cetirizine‡ Tablet, 10 mg or Oral Solution, 5 mg/5 ml

6–11 years

5 mg

12-17 years

As for adults

NB: Although drowsiness is rare, advise patients not to drive.

Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment or epilepsy.

‡Cetirizine tablets are not licensed for use in children under two years.

or

Administer 1 Chlorphenamine Tablet, 4 mg.

Chlorphenamine‡ Tablet, 4 mg or Oral Solution, 2 mg/5 ml

2–5 years

1 mg

6–11 years

2 mg

12–17 years

4 mg

For adults:

Administer 1 Chlorphenamine Tablet, 4 mg.

For children:

Chlorphenamine‡ Tablet, 4 mg or Oral Solution, 2 mg/5 ml

2–5 years

1 mg

6–11 years

2 mg

12–17 years

4 mg

NB: Chlorphenamine can cause drowsiness. Advise patients not to drive.

Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment, prostatic hypertrophy, epilepsy, urinary retention, glaucoma or pyloroduodenal obstruction. Avoid use in children with severe liver disease.

Do not give to children under 2 years, except on specialist advice, because the safety of the use of chlorphenamine has not been established.

‡Chlorphenamine tablets are not licensed for use in children under 6 years.

‡Chlorphenamine oral solution (syrup) is not licensed for use in children under 1 year.

or

Administer 1 Loratadine Tablet, 10 mg.

Loratadine Tablet, 10 mg or Syrup, 5 mg/ml

2-11 years
Body weight <30 kg

5 mg

2-11 years
Body weight ≥30 kg

As for adults

12-17 years

As for adults

For adults:

Administer 1 Loratadine Tablet, 10 mg.

For children:

Loratadine Tablet, 10 mg or Syrup, 5 mg/ml

2-11 years
Body weight <30 kg

5 mg

2-11 years
Body weight ≥30 kg

As for adults

12-17 years

As for adults

NB: Although drowsiness is rare advise patients not to drive.

Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment or epilepsy.

If the patient displays signs of mild bronchospasm:

Administer a salbutamol inhaler, 4 puffs (100 µg per actuation), through a large-volume spacer, repeat as needed.

Salbutamol inhaler

2–17 years

1 puff via a spacer every 15 seconds (max. 10 puffs), repeat above regime at 10 – 20 minute intervals as needed.

For adults:

Administer a salbutamol inhaler, 4 puffs (100 µg per actuation), through a large-volume spacer, repeat as needed.

For children:

Salbutamol inhaler

2–17 years

1 puff via a spacer every 15 seconds (max. 10 puffs), repeat above regime at 10 – 20 minute intervals as needed.

  • Refer the patient to their general medical practitioner.

Treatment with antihistamines is only suitable in cases of mild allergy; severe allergic reactions must be treated as anaphylaxis.