💊 OTC at Rx Antihistamines (Oral)
Ang antihistamine ang first-line para sa allergy-driven kati. Hindi ito kura sa cause, pero pampakalma ng symptoms habang ginagamot ang underlying problem.
- Cetirizine 10 mg (Virlix, Allerkid, Zyrtec, Alnix): P5-15/tab OTC. 1 tab once daily. Non-sedating second-gen; 10-15% may pag-antok. First-line para sa adult.
- Loratadine 10 mg (Claritin, Allerta): P10-25/tab OTC. 1 tab once daily. Mas gentle, less sedating; bagay sa work hours o pag-drive.
- Fexofenadine 60-180 mg (Telfast, Rx): P25-40/tab. 1 tab once daily. Para sa chronic urticaria; minimal sedation.
- Hydroxyzine 25 mg (Atarax, Rx): P10-20/tab. 1-2 tabs at bedtime. Sedating but potent; bagay sa night-time itch para makatulog.
- Diphenhydramine 50 mg (Benadryl, OTC): P10-15/cap. 1 cap at bedtime. Old-school sedating; first-gen, marami side effects sa elderly.
- Cyproheptadine (Periactin, Rx): P5-10/tab. Sedating + appetite-stimulant; useful sa chronic urticaria.
🥒 Topical Treatments (Cream, Lotion)
Para sa localized kati at pantal, topical ang mas mabilis at safer. Steroid potency depende sa katawan area: face/groin = mild; arms/legs = moderate; soles/palms = strong.
- Hydrocortisone 1% cream: P30-50/tube OTC. Mild topical steroid. Apply BID-TID sa localized kati <1 week. Safe sa face at sa bata.
- Calamine lotion: P50-100/bottle OTC. Soothing astringent; classic para sa insect bites, sunburn, chickenpox itch.
- Caladryl lotion (Calamine + Pramoxine): P80-150/bottle OTC. Pramoxine ay topical anesthetic; mas mabilis ang pampakalma.
- Mometasone 0.1% cream (Elica, Rx): P150-300/tube. Mid-potency steroid; para sa eczema, contact dermatitis. Iwasan sa face long-term.
- Betamethasone 0.05% (Diprosone, Rx): P100-200/tube. Stronger topical steroid; para sa psoriasis, lichen planus, severe eczema. Doctor supervision.
- Permethrin 5% cream (Rx): P300-600/tube. First-line para sa scabies (galis). Apply neck-down, leave 8-14 hours.
Cause ng Kati sa Balat → Tamang Specialist
| Cause | Telltale Sign | Specialist |
|---|---|---|
| Atopic dermatitis / eczema | Chronic dry patches, family history ng asthma/allergy, flares | Dermatology; topical steroid + moisturizer regimen |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Localized rash sa contact area (metal, sabon, gamot, plant) | Dermatology; patch testing + avoidance |
| Acute urticaria (hives) | Sudden welts that come and go, lampas <6 weeks | Family Medicine / Dermatology + antihistamine |
| Chronic urticaria | Recurring hives lampas 6 weeks, may o walang trigger | Dermatology o Allergy/Immunology + workup |
| Scabies (galis) | Kati sa gabi + nakakahawa sa kasamahan + finger webs, wrist, groin | Dermatology + Permethrin Rx + lahat ng household treated |
| Seborrheic dermatitis | Oily flaky rash sa anit, kilay, gilid ng ilong | Dermatology + ketoconazole shampoo / cream |
| Psoriasis | Silvery scales sa siko, tuhod, anit; lifelong | Dermatology; topical + systemic kung severe |
| Systemic itch (liver, kidney, thyroid, diabetes) | Generalized kati without primary rash; may underlying disease | Internal Medicine workup + Dermatology referral |
| Drug reaction | Generalized rash after new medication (antibiotic, NSAID, anti-seizure) | ER kung severe; otherwise Dermatology + Allergy |
Kati clues: Kati sa gabi lang + nakahawa sa kasamahan = scabies. Generalized kati without rash = systemic cause (liver, kidney, thyroid, blood disorder). Kati after specific food, gamot, o contact = allergic. Chronic patches sa flexures (kilikili, paa, leeg) = atopic eczema. Sabihin sa doctor kelan nag-umpisa, distribution (saan sa katawan), associated symptoms, gamot na nainom, at family history.
Kati Treatment Options: Use Case Comparison
Cetirizine (Virlix)
P5-15/tab OTC. Non-sedating first-line. 1 tab daily.
Loratadine (Claritin)
P10-25/tab OTC. Less sedating, work-friendly. 1 tab daily.
Hydroxyzine (Atarax Rx)
P10-20/tab. Sedating + potent; bagay sa gabi.
Hydrocortisone 1% cream
P30-50/tube OTC. Mild topical. Safe sa face.
Calamine / Caladryl
P50-150/bottle. Insect bites, sunburn, post-pox itch.
Mometasone / Betamethasone (Rx)
P100-300/tube. Stronger topical; eczema, psoriasis. Doctor only.
⏱️ Severity Guide
Localized kati, <2 weeks, identifiable cause (insect bite, mild rash). Cetirizine/Loratadine daily + Hydrocortisone 1% + cold compress.
Kati lampas 2 weeks, recurring, spreading, kati sa gabi lang (scabies), o hindi gumagaling sa OTC. Workup + Rx topical steroid o scabicide.
Kati + lip/lalamunan swelling + hingal (anaphylaxis); generalized rash + lagnat + ulcers sa bibig/mata (Stevens-Johnson). ER AGAD.
Tips para sa Kati Recovery + Prevention
Cold compress, hindi kumamot
Kamot = tissue damage + secondary infection. Cool wet cloth o ice pack 10-15 min ay mas safe pampakalma.
Mild fragrance-free sabon
Iwasan ang antibacterial soap, perfumed soap, hot water. Cetaphil o Dove white bar ay gentle. Pat-dry, hindi punasin.
Moisturize 2-3x daily
Especially after ligo while damp. Ceramide-based o petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Pampalakas ng skin barrier.
Cotton, malulwang na damit
Iwasan ang synthetic, wool, makitid na damit. Cotton breathes, hindi nagdudulot ng pawis irritation.
Iwasan ang trigger foods/contact
Kung alam mong allergic — seafood, peanuts, metal jewelry, certain detergents — iwasan. Patch test sa Dermatologist kung unsure.
Sa gabing kati, sedating antihistamine
Hydroxyzine (Atarax Rx) o Diphenhydramine (Benadryl OTC) bago matulog. Pampakalma + pampatulog. Iwasan kung magmamaneho.
🚨 ER Agad: Kati Red Flags
Mga Karaniwang Tanong
Ano ang pinakamabisang gamot sa kati sa balat?
Para sa allergy-driven kati, Cetirizine (Virlix, P5-15/tab OTC) at Loratadine (Claritin, P10-25/tab OTC) ang first-line — 1 tab once daily. Sa night-time itch, Hydroxyzine (Atarax Rx) o Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ay sedating + potent. Para sa localized kati, Hydrocortisone 1% cream o Calamine. Sa chronic eczema o psoriasis, kailangan ng Dermatologist + Rx topical (Betamethasone, Mometasone). Sa scabies, Permethrin 5% cream Rx.
Kelan dapat magpa-doctor sa kati sa balat?
Magpa-Dermatologist kung: kati lampas 2 weeks; lahat ng katawan kati (generalized pruritus, baka sintomas ng liver/kidney/thyroid); kati sa gabi + nakahawa (scabies); kati + bula o paltos; kati sa sanggol o buntis. ER agad kung kati + lip/lalamunan swelling, hingal, dizziness (anaphylaxis); o kati + lagnat + ulcers sa bibig/mata (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome suspect).
Cetirizine ba o Loratadine ang dapat?
Pareho silang second-gen antihistamines. Cetirizine ay slightly stronger pero 10-15% chance ng pag-antok. Loratadine ay mas gentle at less sedating; bagay sa work hours. Fexofenadine (Telfast Rx) ay alternative. Sa gabing kati, Hydroxyzine (Atarax Rx) o Benadryl ay sedating + mas malakas. Hindi double-dose para mabilis — daily regular dosing ng isa lang.
Bakit balik-balik ang kati ng balat ko?
Recurring kati lampas 2 weeks ay hindi normal. Causes: atopic dermatitis (eczema, family history of allergy), chronic urticaria, scabies (galis), contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, diabetes-related itch, liver/kidney disease, thyroid dysfunction, drug reaction. Kailangan ng Dermatologist workup; baka kailangan din ng Internal Medicine kung suspected systemic cause.
Chronic na kati ng balat?
Kati lampas 2 weeks o lahat-ng-katawan ay hindi normal. Pwedeng eczema, scabies, urticaria, psoriasis, o systemic cause (liver, kidney, thyroid). Magpa-konsulta sa Dermatologist sa NowServing para sa patch testing, skin scraping, o blood workup.
Mahigit 2,000+ Dermatologists sa NowServing nationwide.
Dermatologist Internal MedicineDisclaimer: Ang impormasyon dito ay para sa edukasyon lang at hindi ito pumapalit sa konsulta sa doctor. Hindi ito medical advice. Ang Hydroxyzine, Fexofenadine, Permethrin, Mometasone, Betamethasone, at iba pang Rx ay nangangailangan ng doctor evaluation. Ang anaphylaxis at Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ay medical emergencies, hindi self-medicate. Ang topical steroids ay may side effects (skin thinning, striae) kung long-term o sa face — doctor supervision required. Ang mga presyo ay pwedeng magbago.