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Loratadine in the treatment of mosquito-bite-sensitive children

A Karppinen1, H Kautiainen, T Reunala

  • 1Department of Dermatology, University of Tampere, Finland.

Allergy
|August 2, 2000
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Prophylactic loratadine significantly reduced immediate whealing and itching from mosquito bites in children. It also decreased the size of delayed bite lesions, showing effectiveness for both acute and late allergic reactions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Dermatology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Mosquito bites commonly cause whealing and delayed papules in children.
  • Antisaliva IgE antibodies and histamine mediate these reactions.
  • The efficacy of antihistamines for pediatric mosquito bite reactions is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of loratadine on immediate and delayed symptoms of mosquito bites in children.
  • To assess the impact of loratadine on wheal size, pruritus, and delayed lesion development.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted in 28 mosquito-bite-sensitive children (aged 2-11 years).
  • Participants were exposed to Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in a laboratory setting.
  • Wheal size and pruritus intensity were measured at various time points after exposure.

Main Results:

  • Loratadine reduced wheal size by 45% and pruritus by 78% at 15 minutes post-bite compared to placebo.
  • A significant decrease in the size of 24-hour delayed bite lesions was observed.
  • Loratadine was well-tolerated with no significant side effects reported.

Conclusions:

  • Prophylactic loratadine effectively reduces immediate whealing and pruritus caused by mosquito bites in children.
  • Loratadine also mitigates the size of delayed bite lesions, indicating efficacy against late-phase reactions.
  • The findings suggest loratadine's therapeutic benefit extends to both immediate and delayed allergic responses in pediatric mosquito bite sensitivity.

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