Benadryl Cream vs. Hydrocortisone Cream: Which Works Best to Soothe Itchy Skin?
Key takeaways:
The immune system produces different chemical signals that can cause itchy skin. Common triggers for itchy skin are poison ivy and bug bites.
Benadryl cream (diphenhydramine/zinc acetate) blocks histamine from binding to different skin cells and causing allergic skin symptoms, like itchiness. Hydrocortisone cream treats itchy skin by lowering inflammation and the immune system’s reaction to allergens.
Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream are both available as lower-cost generics. You can find them for less than $5 at certain pharmacies with a free GoodRx discount.
Table of contents
Bug bites, pollen, poison ivy — whatever the cause, itchy skin (pruritus) is very unpleasant. Itching can be caused by chemical signals the body releases, like histamine. These chemicals play an important role in our immune system by helping protect us from foreign invaders.
But there are other immune signals besides histamine that can cause itchy skin. This makes it a hard condition to treat for some people.
In this article, we’ll talk about two common creams that people use to treat itchy skin: Benadryl cream (diphenhydramine/zinc acetate) and hydrocortisone cream. Read on to learn how these anti-itch creams compare.
What is Benadryl cream?
Benadryl cream is an antihistamine cream that contains the medication diphenhydramine. Most topical (applied to the skin) Benadryl products also contain zinc acetate as a skin protectant. Benadryl cream is available over-the-counter (OTC) and has generic versions available.
Many people take oral antihistamines to treat body-wide allergy symptoms, such as sneezing or hives. But Benadryl cream can be used when you're having mild allergic skin reactions in certain areas.
What conditions can Benadryl cream treat?
People can use Benadryl cream to treat many minor conditions that cause itching. It can be used to temporarily relieve itching caused by:
Other minor burns
Rashes caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac
How does Benadryl cream work?
The diphenhydramine in Benadryl cream works by blocking histamine from attaching to different cells in your body. Our immune system releases histamine when it senses something potentially harmful. In some cases, this triggers allergy symptoms, like itchy skin. This is where Benadryl cream may come in.
But Benadryl cream doesn’t work for everyone. This is because other inflammation signals besides histamine can cause itching.
What is hydrocortisone cream?
Hydrocortisone cream is a corticosteroid medication that’s applied to the skin. Lower strengths (1% or less) of hydrocortisone cream are available OTC. Stronger concentrations, such as 2% or 2.5%, require a prescription.
What conditions can OTC hydrocortisone cream treat?
Hydrocortisone cream can be used to relieve inflammation and itchy skin for many conditions. Examples include:
How does hydrocortisone cream work?
Hydrocortisone cream works in many ways to help itching. The three main effects that help with itching include:
It prevents inflammation (swelling). Corticosteroids, like hydrocortisone, lessen or stop the release of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation. They also help narrow blood vessels where you apply it, cutting down on swelling.
It slows cell replication. This can be helpful in improving itching for people with psoriasis. This action can slow down how quickly the body makes new skin cells. And this can help lessen some psoriasis symptoms, including itching.
It can weaken the immune system’s response. Skin inflammation can be triggered by overactive immune cells. Hydrocortisone cream can help lower the immune response in these cells.
How are Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream dosed?
The directions for using Benadryl cream and OTC hydrocortisone cream are similar. People can apply Benadryl cream up to 3 to 4 times a day. A thin film of OTC hydrocortisone cream can also be applied 3 to 4 times daily. Both should only be used as needed, unless a healthcare provider tells you otherwise.
Both Benadryl cream and OTC hydrocortisone cream can be used by adults and children 2 years and older. Parents with children under 2 years old should speak with their child’s healthcare provider before using these creams.
Prescription-strength topical hydrocortisone may have different directions from the OTC version. Be sure to follow the instructions on your prescription label.
How effective are Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream for itchy skin?
Studies that compare Benadryl cream to OTC hydrocortisone cream are lacking. But we can review what we know about the effectiveness of each cream.
Benadryl cream
It’s unclear exactly how effective Benadryl cream is for itchy skin. A review of several studies showed mixed results. The review’s authors concluded that there wasn’t much evidence supporting antihistamine creams’ effectiveness, including Benadryl cream. Some experts also believe that Benadryl cream can make symptoms worse for mosquito bites. This is because the cream can cause allergic skin reactions for some people.
Hydrocortisone cream
There is slightly more evidence supporting hydrocortisone cream for itchy skin. One study compared a prescription version of hydrocortisone cream to placebo (a cream containing no medication) in people with eczema. People using hydrocortisone cream had greater symptom improvement than those using placebo. But keep in mind this study looked at a prescription-strength hydrocortisone cream — not the OTC version.
A review of many studies looked at topical steroids, including hydrocortisone, for relieving itching due to eczema. Overall, the studies found that topical steroids provided about a 34% improvement in itching.
Research surrounding hydrocortisone’s use for itchy skin due to common triggers, like bug bites, is lacking. But because hydrocortisone cream treats itching in multiple ways, it may be recommended by healthcare providers for many itchy skin problems.
What are the known side effects of Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream?
Side effects aren’t common with these medications. When used for short periods of time, Benadryl cream and OTC hydrocortisone cream are usually well-tolerated. If you experience any side effects after using either, contact your healthcare provider for next steps.
Benadryl cream is linked to the following side effects:
Rash
Sunburn
Sun sensitivity
People using hydrocortisone cream may experience:
Burning
Irritation
Skin dryness or redness
Pimples that look like acne
What are the serious side effects of Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream?
People shouldn’t apply Benadryl cream to itchy skin caused by chickenpox or measles. These rashes can cover large areas. Applying too much Benadryl cream can cause it to be absorbed into the blood. In rare cases, this can lead to dangerously high levels of Benadryl and can be fatal. Taking other medications that also contain diphenhydramine, like oral Benadryl, raises your risk of complications.
Symptoms of a Benadryl overdose include:
Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Slowed breathing
Low blood pressure
Irregular heart beat
Call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away if you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms of a Benadryl overdose.
Hydrocortisone cream can also be absorbed through the skin. Children may be at higher risk than adults for serious problems. Using hydrocortisone cream for a long time or over large areas of the body can lead to serious side effects like:
Hormone changes
High blood sugar
Higher risk of infection
Let your healthcare provider know if your symptoms worsen or don’t improve while using Benadryl cream or hydrocortisone cream. These may not be the best options for your itching.
How can I save on Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream?
Benadryl cream and OTC hydrocortisone cream are available as brand-name medications. But you can also find them as lower-cost generics. GoodRx can help you save over 60% off the average retail price of the generic version of Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream. Generic Benadryl cream’s price at certain pharmacies is less than $4 with a free GoodRx discount. Generic hydrocortisone cream’s price at certain pharmacies is less than $3 with a free GoodRx discount.
Can you use Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream together?
There are no listed interactions between Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream. But it’s not recommended to apply them to the same area of skin at the same time. Discuss the combination with your healthcare provider first. They may prefer you use only one cream at a time.
The bottom line
Itchy skin can be caused by outdoor irritants, like poison ivy. Different chemical signals in the body can cause this uncomfortable sensation. Benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream are OTC options for treating itchy skin. But they work in different ways.
There appears to be more research supporting hydrocortisone’s effectiveness overall. This is because it targets itching in several ways. Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen or don’t improve while using these OTC treatments.
Why trust our experts?
References
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