#Allergy

A common allergy medicine widely sold across Thai pharmacies faces growing international safety concerns. Diphenhydramine, best known as Benadryl, is being scrutinized by leading medical experts who warn its risks may outweigh benefits for many users.

Research from top institutions highlights safer alternatives that are particularly suitable for Thai families seeking allergy relief. Data from international studies suggest a shift toward second-generation antihistamines with improved safety profiles.

Diphenhydramine has occupied Thai medicine cabinets since the mid-20th century. In addition to treating seasonal allergies, it is used for insect bites, sleep difficulties, and some cold symptoms. The drug is readily available across Thailand’s network of pharmacies, with many products accessible without prescriptions.

Millions of people across the globe rely on Benadryl, a common over-the-counter allergy medication, for relief from runny noses and itchy skin. However, a fresh wave of scientific evidence is raising serious concern about the long-term safety of its key ingredient, diphenhydramine. A recent study and mounting medical warnings have drawn direct links between regular Benadryl use and a higher risk of developing crippling diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, prompting doctors to urge consumers, including those in Thailand, to reconsider their treatment choices.

Recent research prompts clinicians to rethink the safety of Benadryl, whose active ingredient diphenhydramine is a sedating anticholinergic. Studies indicate that frequent, long-term use may be associated with a higher risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, particularly among older adults. Thai doctors advocate discussing safer alternatives with healthcare providers.

The findings carry special weight in Thailand, where self-medication with antihistamines is common and the population is aging. Dementia already affects many families in Thailand, adding pressure to the healthcare system. Data from national health authorities and global health bodies underscores the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors to protect cognitive health later in life.

As Thailand moves from the rainy season into hotter months, many residents reach for tissues with uncertainty. Are persistent sneezes, sniffs, and scratchy throats signs of a lingering cold or reactions to rising pollen? Global research shows allergy seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer due to climate change, making the distinction more important for urban Thais facing air pollution and dense greenery.

The overlap between cold and allergy symptoms is real. Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and fatigue appear in both conditions, which can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. A senior physician from a major medical center notes, “People often confuse the two. Nasal stuffiness and sneezing occur in both.” With pollen seasons intensifying, Thai doctors warn that managing this issue now extends well beyond a single season.

As Thailand’s wet season transitions into the hot months, many residents find themselves reaching for tissues—uncertain whether their persistent sneezes, sniffles, and scratchy throats are signs of a lingering cold or responses to the rising pollen count. With research indicating that allergy seasons globally are starting earlier and lasting longer due to climate change, understanding the difference between allergies and the common cold has never been more important—especially for those living in Bangkok and other urban centres prone to increasingly severe air pollution and dense greenery (theguardian.com).

A new wave of research shows meat allergy linked to tick bites may involve more tick species than previously thought. In the United States, health officials indicate that not only the lone star tick but also other widespread species could trigger alpha-gal syndrome, a delayed allergic reaction to red meat.

Alpha-gal syndrome occurs after certain ticks transmit a carbohydrate called alpha-gal into the skin. Reactions typically appear hours after eating meat, which can delay diagnosis and complicate treatment. While it has been most associated with the lone star tick, recent findings suggest western black-legged ticks and deer ticks may also play a role. This broader risk could affect more people and influence dietary choices in areas once deemed safe.

New studies highlight a troubling risk not previously fully understood—a meat allergy derived from tick bites, now found to be associated with a broader range of tick species than previously recognized. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alongside local health officials, points to more than just the lone star tick as a culprit behind alpha-gal syndrome in the U.S. source.

Alpha-gal syndrome, a rare allergic reaction to the alpha-gal sugar found in red meat, occurs following certain tick bites. Traditionally linked to the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), new reports suggest that the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) and the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis)—both more broadly distributed—may also spur this condition. This revelation possibly expands the risk zone and the number of people vulnerable to this allergy, unexpectedly affecting their dietary choices and lifestyle in regions previously thought safe.