Benadryl Itch Cream: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Benadryl Itch Cream combines diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, with zinc acetate, a skin protectant. It is applied directly to the skin to relieve pain and itching from insect bites, minor burns, sunburn, minor skin irritations, cuts, and scrapes, and to dry the oozing and weeping associated with poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. It works by blocking a chemical in the skin that causes redness, swelling, itching, and pain, while zinc acetate soothes the skin and supports repair. It is available as a cream for topical use.

What is Benadryl Itch Cream

Benadryl Itch Stopping Cream is a topical medication you apply directly to your skin to relieve pain and itching. It combines an antihistamine (diphenhydramine) with a skin protectant (zinc acetate).

Benadryl Itch Cream uses

• Insect bites
• Minor burns
• Sunburn
• Minor skin irritations
• Minor cuts
• Scrapes
• Rashes and oozing due to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac

Benefits of Benadryl Itch Cream

• Temporarily relieves pain and itching from bites, burns, sunburn, cuts, scrapes, and minor skin irritations
• Dries the oozing and weeping of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac
• Helps lock in moisture and protect skin from irritants
• Provides topical itch relief
• Helps relieve minor skin discomfort
• Zinc acetate provides skin-protectant activity

How Benadryl Itch Cream works

Diphenhydramine blocks a chemical in the skin that causes redness, swelling, itching, and pain. Zinc acetate soothes the skin, eases inflammation, and helps with wound repair.

Benadryl Itch Cream dosage

Apply to the affected area of skin as directed on the label. Do not use more than directed, and do not use on large areas of the body. Keep away from your eyes and mouth. Do not use together with other diphenhydramine products, including oral Benadryl or other topical itch products. If you are already taking diphenhydramine by mouth for another reason, check with your provider before using this cream. Check with your health care provider before using on skin affected by chickenpox or measles. Stop using if your symptoms get worse, last seven days or more, or clear up and come back again within a few days.

Available forms and strengths

• Cream

Side effects of Benadryl Itch Cream

Common

• Mild stinging or burning at the application site
• Skin irritation, redness, or a new rash/hives
• Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• Dryness or flaking where applied
• Burning, itching, crusting, or peeling of treated skin

Serious

• Allergic reactions - skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Drowsiness or sedation if absorbed into the bloodstream
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Excitability, nervousness, or irritability (more common in children)
• Enlarged pupils, flushing, or confusion in rare or high-absorption cases

Warnings and precautions

• This product is for use on the skin only. If someone swallows it, serious side effects can occur. Get medical help right away or contact a poison control center if this happens.
• Do not use on large areas of the body, and avoid getting the medicine in your eyes.
• Children younger than 2 years old should not use this product because the amount of active medicine is too strong for them and could lead to a dangerous overdose.
• Check with your health care provider before using this product on skin affected by chickenpox or measles.
• Do not use other diphenhydramine products, such as oral Benadryl pills or other topical itch creams, at the same time, since this can lead to an overdose.
• Pregnancy: Use only when needed and preferably after medical advice, especially if applying to large areas or broken skin.
• Breastfeeding: Use cautiously. Do not apply on or near the breast/nipple where an infant could ingest or contact the medicine.
• Kidney: Topical use usually results in low systemic absorption, so kidney problems are generally less important; avoid excessive or widespread application.
• Liver: Significant liver disease usually does not require a specific topical dose adjustment, but extensive use should be discussed with a clinician.
• Alcohol: No major direct interaction is expected from normal topical use. However, avoid alcohol if the cream causes unusual drowsiness or dizziness.
• Driving: Normal topical use is unlikely to affect driving, but avoid driving if you develop drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision.

Storage

Store the cream at room temperature away from light and heat.

When to see a doctor

• Stop using the cream and see a doctor if your skin symptoms get worse, last seven days or more, or clear up and then come back again within a few days, since these could be signs of a more serious problem.
• Stop taking the medicine and get medical attention right away if you notice signs of an allergic reaction, such as breathing problems or wheezing, a racing heart, fever, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, trouble swallowing, throat tightness, itching, skin rash, hives, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, stomach cramps, or joint pain.
• If this product is accidentally swallowed, get medical help right away or contact a poison control center.

Alternatives

• Hydrocortisone cream
• Calamine lotion
• Pramoxine cream
• Colloidal oatmeal lotion