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For the ultimate itch relief.
By Aly Walansky — Written on Feb 12, 2020
Not everyone is all that sure what an antihistamine cream is, but chances are there’s at least one in their cabinet right now.
Antihistamine creams, which can also be called anti-itch creams, are used to relieve pain and itching due to insect bites, minor cuts and burns, and resolve rashes due to an allergy or plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. These creams can be found at just about any drug store, supermarket or online, anywhere you buy pain relievers and first aid products.
“The first thing we think of is Cortizone and Benadryl. Most look for something quick, easy to apply, with no residual stickiness, greasiness, or discoloration,” says Kristine Harris, Head Nurse at Forward Recovery in Los Angeles. But finding antihistamine cream is about more than how it feels on your skin.
What is an antihistamine? Simply put, antihistamines are drugs and medicines used to treat allergies whose symptoms include hives, hay fever, pink eye, or insect bites/stings. They are usually used as short-term treatments that "oppose the activity of histamine receptors in the body."
Whether it's an ongoing allergy, sudden allergic reaction, or an insect bite, the need for relief is immediate and intense. Luckily, there’s an antihistamine cream for you that can alleviate itchiness.
1. Puriya Intensive Moisturizing Cream
This cream is meant to alleviate occasional skin discomfort and itching caused by dryness from the elements with a highly moisturizing cream developed for sensitive skin. Use this lotion on dry, cracked skin with 13 nourishing ingredients, including honey, shea butter, aloe vera, amaranth and jojoba oil.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
2. Benadryl Extra Strength Itch Relief Cream
Benadryl Extra-Strength Anti-Itch Relief Cream provides relief from skin itching. Made with 2 percent diphenhydramine hydrochloride topical analgesic and 0.1 percent zinc acetate skin protectant, this topical cream temporarily relieves itching associated with insect bites, sunburn, scrapes, minor skin irritations, burns and cuts, and contains a histamine blocker that dries the oozing and weeping of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
3. Cortizone-10 Maximum Strength Cream
Cortizone-10 Max Strength Creme relieves itching fast, relieves dry skin, skin irritation, inflammation and redness, as well as rashes, eczema and psoriasis. Enriched with aloe and vitamins A and E, this non-greasy cream is designed to go on smoothly and penetrate quickly.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
4. Dr. Sheffield's Anti-Itch Cream with Histamine Blocker
This dermatologist-recommended cream relieves itches from poison ivy, poison sumac, insect bites and sunburn, and acts as a topical analgesic and skin protectant.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
5. Vanicream 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream
Vanicream 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream provides relief from itching associated with minor skin irritations, inflammation and rashes due to eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, detergents, insect bites, soaps, cosmetics, poison ivy, oak and sumac. Specially formulated for sensitive skin, this cream is free of dyes, fragrance, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
6. Kirkland Hydrocortisone %1 Cream
Kirkland Signature Hydrocortisone 1% Plus contains the active ingredient hydrocortisone 1%, enriched with aloe plus vitamins A and E. This topical cream temporarily relieves itching associated with minor skin irritations, inflammation and rashes due to eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, detergents, poison ivy, and more.
(Costco, $8.59)
7. Medpride Hydrocortisone Cream
Hydrocortisone is a must-have ointment for all households, as it can relieve very common skin conditions, including: rashes, chafing, eczema, redness, swelling, itching, mosquito bites, and dermatitis. This one is from a household name, and at a great price.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
8. Perrigo Hydrocortisone Cream
This cream temporarily relieves itching associated with minor skin irritations such as eczema, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. And it's pretty affordable for packing such relief.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
9. Lanacane Maximum Strength Anti-itch Cream
Lanacane Maximum Strength Anti-Itch Cream provides fast-acting itch relief from insect bites, rashes, and dry skin. Lanacane includes active ingredients Benzethonium chloride 0.2 percent (First-Aid Antiseptic) and Benzocaine 20 percent (Pain Relief Cream). It provides quick relief while killing germs and cooling instantly.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
10. Gold Bond Rapid Relief Medicated Anti-Itch Cream
Gold Bond Medicated Anti-Itch Cream relieves pain and itch fast. Ideal for minor skin irritations, cuts, and burns, it also relieves itchiness caused by dry skin, poison ivy, oak, and sumac, insect bites, scrapes, and sunburn.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
11. Aveeno 1% Maximum Strength Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream
This maximum-strength anti-itch cream formula with skin-soothing Active Naturals Triple Oat Complex, aloe, and vitamin E, provides temporary relief from the itching associated with minor skin irritations, inflammation, rashes, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, insect bites, poison ivy/oak/sumac, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, or jewelry.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
12. Ivarest, Poison Ivy Itch Cream, Maximum Strength
Ivarest contains trusted, effective ingredients to relieve itching and discomfort caused by poison ivy, oak and sumac, insect bites, and minor skin irritations for up to 8 hours. It features a tone-neutral protective coating as well.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
13. EmuaidMAX Ointment
Medical grade homeopathic EMUAID is a uniquely engineered antibacterial, anti-fungal ointment that reduces the pain, inflammation and symptoms for 100+ difficult-to-treat skin conditions. It's non-steroidal, has no reported side effects, doesn't conflict with other medications, and is safe for use anywhere on the body.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
14. Boericke & Tafel Florasone Itch & Rash Relief Cream
Florasone Cardiospermum Cream is a cortisone-free, homeopathic cream for temporary relief of itching, eczema, inflammation, rashes, and skin allergies. It contains tincture of Cardiospermum halicacabum, which has been used for centuries to treat skin disorders.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
15. Lloyds Pharmacy Antihistamine Cream
Use this cream for the relief of conditions of the skin, such as allergic itching, allergic rashes, stings and insect bites. A little bit goes a long way, so use sparingly.
(Lloyd's Pharmacy, $3.29)
16. Itch-X Fast-Acting Anti-Itch Gel
ITCH-X Gel and Spray works without risk of aggravating allergic dermatitis, and has lower sensitizing risk than products containing benzocaine or antihistamines. This gel works instantly for the temporary relief of pain and itching associated with insect bites, rashes, allergic reactions, hives, dry skin, poison ivy, oak and sumac.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
17. Sarna Sensitive Anti-Itch Lotion
Sarna Sensitive Anti-Itch Fragrance-Free Lotion provides the maximum amount of anti-itch medication you can find without a prescription. Itch relief just as effective as topical hydrocortisone (steroidal) creams, its non-irritating pramoxine hydrochloride formula moisturizes the skin while soothing the itch.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
18. Evagloss Anti-Itch Balm
Revitalize dry, itchy skin with this intensely hydrating cream that forms a protective barrier to retain moisture effectively. The rich antifungal cream restores and protects damaged and scaly skin back to health. This cream also controls itching, and prevents further infections and inflammation.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
19. First Aid Only 18-012 Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream
This kit contains 12 single-use hydrocortisone anti-itch cream packets. Perfect for standalone first aid or as a refill for a kit, this provides temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations, inflammations and rashes.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
20. After Bite The Itch Eraser Kids
This gentle, non-stinging sensitive cream provides immediate soothing relief from the pain, itching and swelling of insect bites and stings. After Bite Kids contains Baking Soda, Aloe and Tea Tree Oil to help soothe and moisturize the skin.
(Walgreens, $3.99)
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Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.
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