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Original poster

Should I give Benadryl (states 6+) to a 5yr old?

8 replies

Billster · 18/02/2009 22:59

Is it safe? Don't have any piriton and she has just come out in chickenpox blisters tonight.

Benadryl was the only thing I could from the supermarket but now not sure whether I should give it to her if she needs something in the night.

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Billster · 19/02/2009 07:17

bump

OP posts:
BlueCowWondersSomeMore · 19/02/2009 07:22

I would, as long as the 5 yr old isn't particularly skinny.

Anyone else?

Original poster
Billster · 19/02/2009 07:57

ah therin lies the problem - she is the smallest in her class! OK maybe now the shops are soon to open I should go and get Piriton instead.

Do you know if this is ok for younger children than 6yrs.

Thanks so much.

sara

OP posts:
smartiejake · 19/02/2009 08:16

Not sure about piriton but if she has chickenpox see is you can get some "Aveeno" to go in the bath- really helps with the itching. Failing that buy a large bag of porridge oats. Put some in a sock and run under the tap when you run the bath. The goey stuff that comes out is very soothing.

twentypence · 19/02/2009 08:32

Do a google and see if it is licensed anywhere in the world for younger children and what the dose is.

twentypence · 19/02/2009 08:40

Tablets or syrup - it says "consult a doctor" for under 6 year olds. It also says not to break or crush tablets - so I guess that the consult a doctor is because you couldn't give a smaller dose without breaking a tablet. If you have a syrup you could give a smaller dose, as you probably would if she was a small 6 year old.

LucyEllensmummy · 19/02/2009 09:00

Is benadryl an antihistamine? Can't see how that will work for chicken pox, chicken pox is caused by a virus not an allergy - you might even make it worse?? Unless there is something i am missing.

Please please don't look at forgein doses etc, it might be formulated differently in other countries, this is sometimes the case with veterinary medicine.

If it says consult a doctor, then consult a doctor - i personally don't think it will do any good. You need something to soothe the itching, antihistamines don't do this, they block the immune response

NotQuiteCockney · 19/02/2009 09:01

It's an antihistamine, which means it will reduce itching, and help her sleep.

I'd give a reduced dose, half of what you can give a 6-year-old, but I'm lazy like that.

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