Atarax (hydroxyzine)

jenn113ifer · by **jenn113ifer** on Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:30 pm

Just curious how many of you have tried this? After suffering from severe exzema for 2 years my allergist sent me to a dermatologist and he couldn't believe that my allergist was unable to help me. He did a punch biopsy to make sure it wasn't something else and then prescribed me the Atarax. From day 2, I was able to sleep through the night and not itch. I also saw the inflammation go down and now all that remains are the sores that will need to heal on their own. At my 2 week follow up my derm said I looked like a new person and I certainly feel like a new person. I found myself scratching sometimes but I think it's because I've scratched non-stop for years but I definitely don't itch like I did before. I just hope everyone here can get relief because I know how you all feel. The only thing is that atarax makes you very drowsy but I think it's totally worth that side effect. Good luck everyone.

S · by S on Wed Sep 21, 2011 8:04 pm

I use Atarax - half of a 25 mg pill most nights. It helps, but I think that may be due to the fact that it helps me relax (and therefore sleep) more than anything else. I don't notice much of a decrease in my eczema from the medicine itself, but I do slightly less damage at night and I think my body has a better shot at healing and fighting infection when I get enough rest.

I used to take it in very high doses when I was little, and my dad said I would scratch all night, but stay asleep while I was doing it. I take the smallest dose I can get away with now because I feel hungover in the morning if I take any more.

I'm glad you found something that helps!

jenn113ifer · by **jenn113ifer** on Wed Sep 21, 2011 9:59 pm

I started taking 3 a day and now I'm just taking one before bed. I think it worked for me because I was able to sleep and it helped with the itchiness. My husband said I scratched a little but nothing like before. So, I really think the not scratching is what has healed my eczema. Not exactly sure what my trigger is but pretty sure stress is a big one for me.

S · by S on Thu Sep 22, 2011 7:18 pm

So happy for you!

AnnaB · by **AnnaB** on Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:24 am

My daughter is on this as an aid to sleep, she does sleep better and thus does less damage scratching during the night.

Nurse_Janet_Keyworth · by **Nurse_Janet_Keyworth** on Mon Sep 26, 2011 1:52 pm

Atarax is a antihistamine which can make you feel drowsy so therefore helps you to sleep. This is used in conjunction with your creams/ointments. Once the eczema has improved then you should stop the atarax and just use on an intermittent basis when the eczema flares. There are also a number of other antihistamines if people find that Atarax does not work for them. The ones that make you drowsy are better for eczema patients as they do help you sleep and therefore make you feel able to cope with the eczema during the day.

Cpt BlackBeard · by **Cpt BlackBeard** on Thu Nov 24, 2011 5:10 pm

Hi Guys,

Alot of good posts up here, I really need somewhere to vent my anger, frustration, stories etc. I cam accross this topic for Hydroxyzine and rememebered that I am taking it. I have suffered with eczema since the age of 2 and I am now 31 and it is pretty much just as bad. Many doctors, have described it as severe and they have sen me when I am good. My childhood is filled with tales of hospital beds, bandages, pain, weeping etc. No Sob story, just now I am older is is still very bad but nowhere near those levels I reached as a child. Thing is, as I am Black, its a little less difficult to notice, but you can still tell I have it. A white person it is usually red patches which give it away, with Black people it seems to change the skin to different shades, thats the identifying factor. I still to this day get people not willing to touch me and the like, but Ive never been someone short on friends or girlfriends, yet I do get the days when Im withdrawn and wont leave the house (suppose we all get those). Doesnt matter how many girlfriends I have, I still rmemebr all the disgusted looks and women who have turned me down. I have a daughter who is 2, shes half cast, and when people see us, they look at her as tho she cant be mine. She looks like me as well, just minus the dry and patchy skin, lol.

Sorry to waffle. Anyway back to the pills. My dermatologist is one that I seeked out when I was in hospital recently (for warts), which I still have and am awaiting an operation for. You may or may not be aware that when someone with exzema contracts this virus, the immune system cant fight it off, much like molluscum contagiosum. The doctor has prescribed me 25Mg Hydroxyzine and told me to take 2 before bed if one has no affect. I still find blood in the bed at night, but these pills knock you out, I still feel a little drowsy in the morning for work, but I get by. Some nights though, they have no affect?

ammymickens · by **ammymickens** on Tue Apr 09, 2013 6:24 am

I was diagnosed with Urticaria at the age of 16 (in 1985 which just came out of the blue) and took an Atarax pill every 3-4 days when I felt the itchiness coming on. It worked 100%. Later in life they suggested I try some other antihistamine (Claritin), which I did and it worked but I have to take a pill every day so I went back to Atarax as I did not suffer from drowsiness (after taking it for so many years). Fortunately in 2011 the Urticaria disappeared and I no longer need any meds for it. If ever I get itchy skin again, Atarax will be my choice.

mihelges · by **mihelges** on Fri Oct 04, 2013 11:29 pm

I am on Atarax and have found that it is the only thing that will let me sleep! I have found that it works for the itching and was told that I can up my dose if I have a bad stressful day. When I take it at night it doesn't make me tired when I first wake up but if I go back to sleep waking up a second time is very hard for me. I constantly sleep through alarms and hit the snooze button many times so I have learned to just get up and stay up.