Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Should Diphenhydramine Revert to Prescription-Only Status?

A recent article in the World Allergy Organization Journal aims to discourage the use of prescription and over-the-counter diphenhydramine. Clinical teams from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of California, San Diego, argue that the first-generation antihistamine has risks and should no longer be widely prescribed or made available over-the-counter. There are safer and more effective second-generation alternatives like cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine available that might be …

Anaphylaxis: Clinical Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management

Urgent message: Anaphylaxis is a true medical emergency that requires rapid and aggressive treatment. When a patient with a Type 1 hyper – sensitivity reaction is brought to your urgent care, here is how to proceed. DAVID WEIN, MD, MBA, FACEP, and DENNIS DIXON, MD Introduction Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body, allergic reaction to a chemical that has become an allergen. Anaphylaxis is a true medical emergency, often with a rapid and unpredictable onset. It …

Urticaria and Angioedema

Urgent message: Patients often present to urgent care with symptoms associated with urticaria and angioedema. Identifying the probable cause can provide relief of symptoms and abate patient concerns. Kent A. Knauer, MD, Director, Allergy and Asthma Center, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH Urticaria and angioedema are rarely life threatening, but they are extremely disruptive to quality of life and sleep. In addition, hives may be alarming and lead patients to wonder if something serious is afoot. …