Anti-histamines :06:

[napashock]

Hi there!

I've just started my OW course and have the next part tonight, so excitied. However, I have very sensitive eyes and woke up today with them red, sore & itchy (spent too long in the company of smokers last night!) I took an anti-histamine this morning as routine but didn't think about the knock-on effects, am I still able to take part in the confined water dives tonight?

I've tried to contact my instructor but he's not available. Is the problem with anti-histamines more congestion/airways related?

Many thanks
Napa

 

[Wayward Son]

Next time, try the histamine blockers. Claritin or Allegra. Most people have no side effects with these.

Regular anti-histamines flat out stone me. Some people have no side effects at all.

 

[napashock]

I usually take Claritin but have run out recently, instead I took another non drowsy brand. I took them about 8 hours ago and don't feel side effects so I guess I'll be ok? To be honest, didn't realise that Claritin are called histamine blokers rather than anti histamines is there a difference in how they work?

Many thanks
Napa

 

[Wayward Son]

Yep, big difference. If you're not feeling impaired you should be OK.

Do a google on claritin & read up on how it works. Allegra works the same way. I get the same results with both, so whichever I have is fine if I need it.

 

[Diver0001]

Hi there!

I've just started my OW course and have the next part tonight, so excitied. However, I have very sensitive eyes and woke up today with them red, sore & itchy (spent too long in the company of smokers last night!) I took an anti-histamine this morning as routine but didn't think about the knock-on effects, am I still able to take part in the confined water dives tonight?

I've tried to contact my instructor but he's not available. Is the problem with anti-histamines more congestion/airways related?

Many thanks
Napa

Can you get your doctor's call on it before the dives?

Personally, I've been diving on Clarytin (I think that's how it's spelled) and it was ok.

Your instructor will probably have no choice but to tell you not to dive until you get your doctor's OK.

R..

 

[Scottri]

Contact the Divers Alert Network and ask them. They are a great resource for information about medications and diving. I see that you are in the UK so perhaps emailing them would be your best bet.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

By confined water you do mean the pool correct? Depending on the medication (4 hour, 8 hour, 12 hour) it's probably already worn off. If you are just doing pool stuff you should be fine. Let's face it, most of your pool session will end up being spent either standing and taking instruction above water or working in very shallow water since it's only your second meeting.

Just my .02
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[cleung]

During dive trips, I actually take an anti-histamine before going to bed and then a decongestant in the morning just to keep my passages clear since I have allergies all year round. I would not be able to clear my ears if I didn't take them. So that may give you an indication.

 

[napashock]

Many thanks for all of your replies. I spoke to my doctor last night and he gave me the ok. As said by Ber Rabbit said we were in the pool for our second dive so didn't spend long under the water.

But it's a note to myself in the future!

Many thanks
Becky

 

[zontag72]

If you'll do a quick check of the popular sea-sickness medications that will be on any dive boat you'll find there are two different active ingrediants depending on the brand. They are both antihistamines.