Topical diphenhydramine toxicity in a five year old with varicella.

The toxic effects of oral diphenhydramine are well documented and include central nervous system and anticholinergic symptomatology. We present a case of diphenhydramine intoxication from combined oral/percutaneous medication. Overzealous application of a commercially available topical diphenhydramine preparation resulted in hallucinations and other side effects in a five-year-old child with varicella.