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Alcohol allergies are relatively common and are often caused by sensitivity to a specific ingredient found in strong alcoholic beverages. However, the real cause may be an intolerance to alcohol due to acetaldehyde buildup. Symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and severe in some cases. If you suspect you have an alcohol intolerance, pay attention to both external symptoms and internal signs such as digestive issues, and consult a doctor for diagnostic tests. It is crucial to distinguish between alcohol intolerance and allergies, as consuming substances your body can't metabolize could lead to serious consequences. Seek emergency services immediately if you experience severe allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing.
Steps
Observe External Symptoms
Watch for redness on the face, neck, chest, or arms. Facial flushing is one of the most common signs of alcohol intolerance. This reaction is particularly common in people of Asian descent and is often referred to as 'Asian flush'. Those with this condition may initially feel hot or experience a tingling sensation before their face turns red, and some individuals even experience redness in their eyes. These symptoms can appear after consuming just one drink of beer or wine, and you'll quickly notice redness on the face and neck.
- This reaction is caused by a change in an enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which helps metabolize alcohol.
- People with the alcohol flush reaction have a higher risk of developing cancer. Many products, such as Pepcid, claim to alleviate the flushing reaction, but these do not protect the body from the long-term effects of alcohol. It's best to limit your alcohol consumption to fewer than six drinks a week if you experience these symptoms.
- Redness can also occur due to a combination of alcohol and certain medications you may be taking.
Notice any swelling around the face and eyes. A common symptom that can accompany facial flushing is swelling around the red areas of skin. The areas around the eyes, cheeks, and mouth may become noticeably swollen after drinking alcohol. This is another sign of alcohol intolerance.
Recognize the appearance of hives. Red, itchy welts, known as hives, are a common symptom of an allergy. These welts are light red in color and may feel sore or tender. Hives can appear anywhere on the body, but they are most often seen on the face, neck, or ears. Hives generally resolve on their own but may persist for up to an hour or even several days on the skin.
- The appearance of hives typically indicates an allergy to one of the ingredients in alcohol. Stop drinking immediately and switch to water.
- If you have hives, you can apply a cold compress or a damp cloth to the affected area to relieve itching or burning sensations.
Look for internal issues or digestive problems
Be aware of nausea and vomiting. Feeling nauseous or vomiting after drinking large amounts of alcohol is normal. However, if you have an alcohol allergy or intolerance, you may experience nausea after drinking just 1-2 glasses. Nausea and vomiting due to alcohol intolerance may also be accompanied by abdominal pain.
Pay attention to diarrhea after drinking alcohol. Diarrhea is uncomfortable, characterized by watery, loose stools. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps, and nausea. If you experience diarrhea after drinking alcohol, stop drinking immediately as this could be a sign of an alcohol allergy or intolerance.
- Drink plenty of fluids (water is best) if you have diarrhea. It's easy to become dehydrated if you're experiencing diarrhea multiple times a day without replenishing fluids.
- See a doctor if you have severe symptoms with diarrhea, such as blood in your stool, a high fever lasting more than 24 hours, or severe stomach pain.
Pay attention to headaches or migraines occurring 1-2 hours after drinking alcohol. In cases of severe alcohol intolerance, headaches or migraines may develop. Migraines are characterized by intense pounding pain, nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity. This condition typically arises 1-2 hours after drinking and may last for several hours.
Recognize symptoms of a stuffy nose and other allergic reactions. Wine, champagne, and beer contain histamine, a chemical released by the immune system to help eliminate allergens. When an allergen enters the body, histamine is released, causing a stuffy nose, runny nose, itchy eyes, and watery eyes. People with alcohol intolerance may be especially sensitive to red wine and other alcoholic beverages high in histamine.
- Wine and beer also contain sulfites, a compound that can trigger allergic reactions.
Diagnostic Testing
Consult a doctor about your symptoms. If you suspect you have an alcohol allergy or intolerance, it's important to stop drinking and visit a doctor. The doctor will ask about your family history, your symptoms, and conduct a physical examination. Additionally, the doctor may recommend diagnostic tests to identify your allergy or the underlying cause of your alcohol intolerance.
Advice: Remember that the only way to prevent alcohol intolerance is to completely avoid drinking alcohol.
Undergo a skin prick test for quick diagnosis. The most common food allergy test is the skin prick test. In this test, a doctor will apply drops of solutions containing various food allergens onto the skin, then use a needle to inject the solution just under the skin's surface. If a white raised bump appears on the skin surrounded by redness, it's highly likely that you have an allergy to the tested food.
- Request to test foods commonly found in alcoholic beverages, such as grapes, gluten, seafood, and grains.
- Results are usually available within 30 minutes.
Blood test. A blood test can measure the immune system's reaction to certain foods by detecting antibodies to specific substances in the blood. The doctor will send a blood sample to a lab where it will be tested for various foods.
- This test may take up to 2 weeks for results.
Be cautious with alcohol if you have asthma or allergic rhinitis. There are only a few scientific studies linking asthma and alcohol intolerance, but researchers have found that alcohol can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms in people with the condition. The most common alcoholic drinks that can worsen asthma symptoms include champagne, beer, white wine, red wine, fortified wines (such as sherry and port), and spirits (whiskey, brandy, and vodka). Alcoholic beverages also affect those with allergic rhinitis, as they contain histamine at varying levels, exacerbating symptoms.
- If you have asthma or allergic rhinitis and suspect alcohol intolerance, avoid red wine, which is high in histamine.
Avoid alcoholic beverages if you're allergic to grains or other foods. Alcoholic beverages contain a variety of ingredients. If you're allergic to common food ingredients, you may also experience allergies when consuming these drinks. Red wine is the most common alcoholic drink that causes allergies. Beer and whiskey are also frequent allergens due to the presence of 4 common allergens: yeast, barley, wheat, and hops. Some food allergens often found in alcohol include:
- Grapes
- Gluten
- Seafood proteins
- Rye
- Egg proteins
- Sulfites
- Histamine
Warning
- This advice is intended for individuals of legal drinking age.
- You may not need to see a doctor if you experience mild symptoms of alcohol intolerance. However, if you experience severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, fainting, or a rapid heart rate, call emergency services immediately. These could be signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction.
