Alcohol Allergies: An Allergic Reaction to Alcohol

We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. Just remember that alcohol intolerance can increase the risk of serious health conditions if you continue drinking. Even if you don’t have alcohol intolerance, drinking high levels of alcohol frequently is also dangerous for your health. The only way to manage this condition is to abstain from alcohol.

We rarely think of alcohol as having much to do with allergies; the usual offenders – pollen, pet dander, dust mites, environmental pollutants – get the lion’s share of negative press. But alcohol can contribute to a worsening in allergy symptoms. Some people are even allergic to alcohol itself and can experience symptoms ranging from stomach cramps to hives.

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Sulfites are preservatives, and most countries permit their addition to alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine. However, some people may experience allergy-like reactions after consumption. During alcohol metabolism, the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converts alcohol to acetaldehyde, a toxic molecule. The resulting acetaldehyde is metabolized to nontoxic molecules by another enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). If acetaldehyde is not metabolized efficiently, it can cause release of histamine and thereby trigger flushing and other unpleasant symptoms. Some people who drink alcohol experience an unpleasant phenomenon called the alcohol flush reaction.

• Symptoms are comparable to other allergic reactions, such as those some people have to bee stings or peanuts.
• If drinking alcohol—also known as ethanol—gives you food allergy symptoms such as flushing, itching, and diarrhea, you may have an allergy or an intolerance to alcohol.
• A person with severe allergies should carry one with them at all times, in case of a serious allergic reaction.
• If you’re allergic to another ingredient contained in certain alcoholic products, switching to a different drink might be an option.
• Just as treatment for an alcohol allergy requires total abstinence, recovery from an alcohol use disorder calls for the same.
• Some people are even allergic to alcohol itself and can experience symptoms ranging from stomach cramps to hives.
• There are other substances in alcohol that can cause your body to react.

In fact, treatment for an alcohol allergy will focus primarily on any present symptoms (i.e. alleviating rashes with a topical cream). Beyond that, an individual must avoid drinking completely to prevent suffering the symptoms of an allergic reaction and possible death. Alcohol allergies are fairly rare, with limited data available on how often they occur and among what populations. They are also easily confused with alcohol intolerance and allergies to substances commonly found in alcoholic beverages that aren’t alcohol itself.

Other causes of intolerance to alcohol

The most effective treatment is to avoid alcohol and alcohol-based foods altogether. For most people with this condition, symptoms will vary from one person to another. However, the most common symptoms to look out for are your skin flushing and feeling sick whenever you consume alcohol. Alcohol intolerance is different, caused by the body being unable to break down alcohol efficiently. This is a genetic condition some people, dominantly those of Asian descent, have. This genetic condition, called acute alcohol sensitivity, is defined as a rare disease, affecting or directly impacting less than 200,000 people in the U.S.

True alcohol allergies resulting in anaphylaxis are quite rare, but if you do have one, even small amounts of alcohol may trigger a reaction. This may result in hives, swelling, throat closing, GI or respiratory symptoms, or dizziness. In rare cases, if untreated, an alcohol allergy can be life-threatening. More commonly, some people can have an alcohol intolerance instead of an allergy. If beer seems to be the issue, it’s probably the yeast, says Dr. Glatter.

Screening for acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 genotype in alcohol-induced asthma by using the ethanol patch test

If in doubt, ask your allergy specialist for advice about the types of alcoholic beverages you can or cannot drink. Grape allergies are rare, but they have been reported in some medical journals. In addition to wine, people with grape allergies may need to avoid Armagnac, cognac, https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-allergies-symptoms-and-signs/ ouzo, vermouth, port, and champagne. Most wine coolers and packaged martini mixes should also be struck from the list. People with mold or yeast allergies may have an allergic reaction to the brewer’s yeast used to make fermented beverages like beer, wine, and hard cider.