Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an integral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
Based on its evolving needs and plenty of user feedback, we are trying to bring some order and institute some rules. Please make sure you read these rules and participate in the spirit of this community.
Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Avoid long drawn out arguments. This should be a place to relax, not to waste your time needlessly.
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Personal anecdotes, puzzles, cute pics/clips - everything welcome
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Please do not spam at the top level. If you have a lot to post each day, try and post them all together in one top level comment
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Try keep things light. If you are bringing in deep stuff, try not to go overboard.
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Things that are clearly on-topic for this board should be posted as a separate post and not here (except if you are new and still getting the feel of this place)
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If you find people violating these rules, deport them rather than start a argument here.
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Feel free to give feedback as these rules are expected to keep evoloving
In short, imagine this thread to be a local community hall where we all gather and chat daily. Please be respectful to others in the same way
Just to be clear, Benadryl, diphenhydramine, is an anti histamine that works, it can be lifesaving in severe allergic reactions as a front line treatment. Decongestants are another thing altogether. Benadryl should not be taken all the time, but it works as it is intended to. The reason it is added to "cold medicines", is that it dries up nasal secretions. Because of the drying affect, it should not be used all the time, it is good for an immediate dose for insect bites, and severe reactions to pollen, rashes due to poison ivy etc. The msm is leading with headlines, as usual, that are misleading, as usual.
Had a very big reaction to a hornet sting recently (have had cummulative reactions, many stings). Leg swelled up huge, blisters, ooze, peeling.
Anyway, knew I should have taken Benadryl right away but didn't want to sleep the day away. Took Zyrtec instead - worthless.
Yes, Benadryl would have helped, the Allegras, Claritins and Zyrtec are fine for mild allergies and taken everyday can help quiet the histamine response, but for something like this, you should take the Benadryl, but it will put you in bed. Just be careful, because with these reactions, you never build up tolerance and they can get worse each time. Cortisone otc ointments with Benadryl gel also can work.
Sudafed gives me a headache. Back in the late 80s early 90s those little red pills were the rage if you had a cold. (Not trying to be funny about red 💊) I rarely take what's considered cold medicine. If I'm desperate I'll take dimetapp. I've been on Atarax 47 years for itching condition (hives). Since taking St. John's wort I rarely take the Atarax. I still get the RX because it helps with nerve pain if it gets out of control. Side note: there's so many natural things that can replace antihistamines and decongestants. I keep Benadryl around in case of allergic reactions.