Author:
Lewis Jackson
Date Of Creation:
10 May 2021
Update Date:
25 June 2024
Content
Alcohol allergies are not uncommon and are usually caused by an allergy to an ingredient in spirits, but alcohol intolerance can be attributed to acetaldehyde build-up. Symptoms can be extremely bothersome and intense in some cases. If you suspect that you are intolerant to alcohol, watch for external symptoms as well as internal signs and digestive problems, then see your doctor for diagnostic testing. It is important to differentiate between alcohol intolerance and allergies, since consuming chemicals that the body is unable to metabolize can lead to serious consequences. Call emergency services right away if you experience a severe allergy, such as difficulty breathing.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Look for external symptoms
Watch for flushing on your face, neck, chest, or arms. Blushing is one of the most common signs of alcohol intolerance. This phenomenon is also very common among Asians so it is often referred to as "Asian flush". People with this syndrome will initially experience a burning sensation or a stinging sensation before their face turns red, some people even have red eyes. Symptoms can appear even if you have just one glass of beer or wine, and you will soon notice a red face and neck.- This reaction is due to the conversion of an enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which is responsible for the metabolism of alcohol.
- People with blushing syndrome when drinking alcohol have an increased risk of developing cancer. There are many products advertised as helping to treat redness from drinking, such as Pepcid, but these products do not protect the body from the long-term effects of alcohol. It is best to drink less than 6 glasses of alcohol per week if you have these symptoms.
- Blushing can also be caused by a combination of alcohol with a drug you are taking.
Watch for swelling around the face and eyes. One symptom that can accompany blushing is swelling around the red areas. The area around the eyes, cheeks, and mouth may become noticeably swollen after drinking alcohol. This is another sign of alcohol intolerance.
Recognize phenomenon of hives. Red, itchy bumps, also called urticaria, are a common symptom of an allergic reaction. These bumps are light red and may be burning or burning. Urticaria can be found all over the body, but usually appears on the face, neck or ears. The urticaria plaques usually go away on their own, but can last up to an hour or even a few days on the skin.- The appearance of urticaria usually means that you are allergic to the ingredients in alcohol. Immediately stop drinking, and instead drink water.
- If you have a hives, you can apply a cool compress or a wet washcloth to the area of the hives to relieve itching or burning.
Method 2 of 3: Look for internal problems or digestive problems
Watch for nausea and vomiting. It is normal to feel nauseous, even vomiting, when drinking a lot of alcohol. However, if you have an alcohol allergy or intolerance, you may feel nauseous even by drinking 1-2 cups. Nausea and vomiting caused by alcohol intolerance can also accompany abdominal pain.
Watch for diarrhea after drinking alcohol. Diarrhea is uncomfortable with loose and watery stools. Diarrhea is often accompanied by other symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps, and nausea. If you have diarrhea after drinking alcohol, stop drinking it immediately because this is a sign of an alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance.
- Drink plenty of fluids (preferably water) if you have diarrhea. It is very easy to become dehydrated if you have diarrhea several times a day without drinking enough fluids.
- See your doctor if you have severe symptoms with diarrhea, such as blood in the stool, high fever that lasts more than 24 hours, or severe stomach pain.
Notice headaches or migraines 1-2 hours after drinking alcohol. Severe alcohol intolerance may present with headache or migraine symptoms. Migraine has pain symptoms such as hammering, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. This usually occurs 1-2 hours after drinking and can last up to many hours.
Look for a stuffy nose and other allergic symptoms. Wine, champagne and beer contain histamine, which are also chemicals released by the immune system to help the body get rid of allergens. When an allergen enters the body, histamine is released and causes a stuffy nose, runny nose, itchy eyes, and watery eyes. People with alcohol intolerance may be particularly sensitive to red wine and other alcoholic beverages high in histamine.
- Wine and beer also contain sulfite, a compound that can also cause allergy symptoms.
Method 3 of 3: Diagnostic test
Talk to your doctor about symptoms. If you suspect you have an alcohol allergy or intolerance, it is important to stop drinking alcohol and see your doctor. Your doctor will ask about your family history, symptoms and do a physical exam. In addition, your doctor may order several other diagnostic tests to identify your allergies or the potential cause of your alcohol intolerance.
Advice: Remember that the only way to avoid alcohol intolerance is to never drink alcohol.
Skin prick test for quick diagnosis. The most common food allergy test is the prick test. With this test, your doctor will place drops of a solution containing various food allergens on the skin, then use a needle to inject the solution right below the skin's surface. If a large white bump appears on the skin with surrounding redness, it's very likely that you have an allergy to the food tested.
- Ask to be tested for foods commonly found in alcohol, such as grapes, gluten, seafood and grains.
- Test results will usually be available within 30 minutes.
Blood tests. A blood test can measure the immune system's response to certain foods by looking in the blood for antibodies to a certain substance. Your doctor will send a blood sample to a lab, where different foods will be tested.
- This test may take 2 weeks to show results.
Be careful with alcohol if you have asthma or allergic rhinitis. There are only a few scientific studies on the association between asthma and alcohol intolerance, but researchers have found that alcohol sometimes causes asthma symptoms in people with this condition. The most common alcoholic drinks that can aggravate asthma symptoms include champagne, beer, white wine, red wine, fortified wine (like sherry and port) and spirits (whiskey, brandy, and vodka). Alcohol can also affect people with allergic rhinitis, as it contains histamine in varying amounts, making symptoms worse.
- If you have asthma or allergic rhinitis and suspect you have an alcohol intolerance, stay away from red wine, which is high in histamine.
Avoid alcoholic beverages if you are allergic to grains or other foods. Alcohol drinks contain a variety of ingredients. If you are allergic to common ingredient foods, you may also be allergic to those drinks. Red wine is the most common alcoholic drink that causes allergies. Beer and whiskey are also often allergic because they have four common allergens: yeast, barley, wheat and hops. Some of the common food allergens found in alcohol that can contribute to allergies include:
- Grapes
- Gluten
- Protein in seafood
- Buckwheat
- Protein in eggs
- Sulfite
- Histamine
Warning
- The advice in this article is for people of legal drinking age.
- You may not need to see a doctor for mild symptoms of alcohol intolerance. However, if you experience severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, or increased heart rate, call emergency services right away. These could be symptoms of a life-threatening allergy.
