Do antihistamines dry out the skin?

Question

Do antihistamines have a drying effect (specifically on the skin)?

Answer 1

Benadryl will dry out your skin more than the newer non-drowsy ones.

"However, the more recently developed antihistamines such as fexofenadine (Allegra) or loratadine (Claritin) are much more specific inhibitors of the H- histamine receptor with little, if any, interference at the cholinergic receptor. Therefore, there should be no significant anticholinergic drying effect of such agents on salivary secretion (see enclosed abstract of a review of antihistamine effects)."

Answer 2

they certainly do, anyone that takes them regularly should be drinking at least 3 liters of water daily to replace what the antihistamines rob them of.