If you notice this or any other symptoms of alcohol allergy or intolerance, bring it up with your healthcare provider—and avoid drinking in the meantime. There are a number of ingredients in various types of alcohol that can cause people to experience allergic reactions. Certain people with severe allergies can experience anaphylaxis, which are life-threatening allergic reactions that can be life-threatening. Certain antibiotics can inhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase, leading to alcohol intolerance. In this situation, alcohol intolerance may be referred to as a disulfiram reaction.

Contact us today to learn more about alcohol abuse and addiction treatment programs that can work well for your needs. They may even be caused by exposure to alcohol from sources other than alcoholic beverages. For example, using cough syrup with alcohol in it or even using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can lead to alcohol intolerance symptoms. Your doctor can give you medications to lessen the symptoms of alcohol intolerance, such as anti-inflammatory medicines for pain. However, many of these medicines are not supposed to be used with alcohol.

Ready to treat your alcohol allergies?

"Development of hives or red bumps are commonly due to a reaction to histamines that can't be broken down," says Dr. Glatter. It's the inability to metabolize these histamines that can cause an allergic reaction or flare-up, he says. Levels of histamines vary based on alcohol, but they will be in higher https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-write-a-goodbye-letter-to-addiction/ concentrations in beer and wine (especially red), he says. If beer seems to be the issue, it's probably the yeast, says Dr. Glatter. Beer drinkers can experience "an inflammatory response to the yeast proteins, which can lead to itching, superficial rashes, nausea, vomiting, or even diarrhea," he says.

ALDH2 Deficiency, as it is known, is a common cause of alcohol intolerance. In some cases, reactions can be triggered by a true allergy to a grain such as corn, wheat or rye or to another substance in alcoholic beverages. Having a mild intolerance to alcohol or something else in alcoholic beverages might not require a trip to a doctor. Simply avoid alcohol, limit how much you drink or avoid certain types of alcoholic beverages. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to alcohol occur because the body can’t break down the substance efficiently. The only way to avoid an allergic reaction is to avoid alcohol completely.

How can you treat an alcohol allergy?

Anaphylaxis is a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause dangerously low blood pressure and problems breathing. If you have a severe reaction and carry an EpiPen (epinephrine), signs of alcohol allergies use it and call 911. Due again to the reaction from histamines, it's not uncommon to experience swelling (think Will Smith in Hitch) when you have an alcohol intolerance.

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. When you have an allergic reaction to alcohol, your immune system is overreacting to an ingredient in the drink. If you have other allergies, you are more likely to have an allergy to alcohol, according to research from Switzerland. In some cases, over-the-counter or prescribed medications might help alleviate symptoms.

Symptoms of an Alcohol Allergy

A medication called disulfiram (Antabuse) is actually used to deliberately cause this reaction, as it can help discourage people from drinking alcohol when they are trying to stop. Alcohol intolerance is relatively uncommon, and many people who have problems drinking alcohol actually have an alcohol allergy — not alcohol intolerance. If you believe you may be suffering from an alcohol allergy or intolerance, it can be helpful to learn about the symptoms of these two conditions.

The medication is injected to quickly relax muscles to open up airways. In a small 2012 study, researchers found that about 7.2% of 4,000 participants were intolerant to wine and alcohol in general. White wine tends to contain higher levels of sulfites than red wine and beer. Alcohol allergy symptoms can range from mild, such as an itchy mouth or eyes, to severe, including vomiting or anaphylaxis.