Dirt, I'm so glad you brought this subject up. I too have been going in circles with this allergy [bleep], just as you discribe. I've used both the cortisone ointments you mentioned as well as betamethazone with little help. Taken every antihistamine, no help. Rattlers mention of Pepcid AC sent me to the drug store this morning. Have only taken one dose so far so we'll see.