McMaster Study Finds Antihistamines Ineffective for Eczema

A large network meta‑analysis published in The BMJ and led by Derek K. Chu of McMaster University evaluated 47 randomized trials involving 6,230 children and adults with moderate‑to‑severe atopic dermatitis. The study found that oral antihistamines offered no clinically meaningful reduction in disease severity or itch compared with placebo.

First‑generation H1 antihistamines provided no benefit and were linked to a higher risk of cognitive impairment, while second‑generation agents produced only modest, below‑threshold improvements. The authors recommend moving away from routine antihistamine use toward targeted anti‑inflammatory treatments such as moisturizers, topical steroids, phototherapy, biologics or JAK inhibitors.