Alcohol Allergies: Symptoms, Signs, and Treatment for Reactions

It’s possible to develop an alcohol allergy at any point in your life. Sudden onset of symptoms may also be caused by a newly developed intolerance. In rare cases, pain after drinking alcohol might be a sign that you have Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Symptoms of an alcohol allergy include rashes, itchiness, swelling and severe stomach cramps. Allergy symptoms are often more painful and uncomfortable than alcohol intolerance symptoms.

Call us today to learn more about our comprehensive alcohol and drug treatment programs. Alcohol intolerance is most common in adults over 40 years of age. As a result, acetaldehyde levels build up in your bloodstream, leading to nausea and sickness. The chemical causes dilation of blood vessels, leading to increased blood flow through your skin and flushing. Alcohol intolerance is caused by inherited characteristics typically in people of Asian descent, specifically East Asians. Gluten – because barley, wheat, hops, and rye are often used to make beer, vodka, whiskey, gin, and bourbon.

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But in rare cases, they become painful after drinking alcohol. Symptoms of histamine intolerance are similar to those of an allergic reaction.

During a physical exam, your doctor will look for signs of a skin reaction to alcohol, such as redness or swelling. People with a severe allergic reaction should seek immediate medical advice and visit an emergency room, because it can be fatal. Some people have a hard time digesting alcohol because of a lack of an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase . Some people may experience an allergic reaction to alcohol when they consume alcohol after eating overripe fruit, such as bananas or mangos. It can be present from birth or develop at any point in your life after alcohol exposure.

What is the difference between an alcohol allergy and an intolerance?

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People who have a true alcohol allergy should avoid drinking alcohol entirely. The primary difference between an alcohol allergy and an alcohol intolerance signs of alcohol allergies is the reaction each produces. Alcohol allergies are caused by the immune system and intolerance is a reaction from the digestive system.

What Causes Alcohol Intolerance?

Alcohol intolerance is characterized by immediate unpleasant reactions after drinking alcohol. The most common signs and symptoms of alcohol intolerance are stuffy nose and skin flushing. Alcohol intolerance is caused by a genetic condition in which the body is unable to break down alcohol efficiently. The only way to prevent alcohol intolerance reactions is to avoid alcohol. However, in some cases, what seems to be alcohol intolerance may be a reaction to something in an alcoholic beverage, such as chemicals, grains, or preservatives.

For example, aged cheese, smoked meats, sauerkraut, wine, and beer tend to be high in histamines. You should never ignore the symptoms of an allergic reaction. If left untreated, an allergic reaction can quickly become worse. The best way to live with this condition is to avoid alcohol as much as possible.

Management and Treatment

However, there are many people who experience allergy-like symptoms whenever they drink alcohol. Continue reading below to find out whether you can be allergic to alcohol and the signs of a reaction to look out for. When you drink alcohol, your liver first breaks down alcohol into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde.

Anaphylaxis, which is a severe reaction that can include a rapid, weak pulse, nausea, and vomiting. If you have this, swelling, or trouble breathing, call 911. Alcohol intolerance occurs when your body doesn’t have the proper enzymes to break down the toxins in alcohol. This is caused by inherited traits most often found in Asians. Brain tumor, breast cancer, colon cancer, congenital heart disease, heart arrhythmia. When you struggle with a substance use disorder, the problem can affect your physical, mental, and spiritual health, which is why we focus on all three for optimal wellness. Your first step toward a life free from drugs or alcohol can be a tough one — detoxification.

On the other hand, alcohol intolerance is usually caused by an allergic reaction to one of alcohol’s ingredients, rather than by the ethanol itself. People with severe alcohol intolerance are at risk for liver damage or other life-threatening conditions. Alcohol intolerance can be congenital or develop later in life. For someone with a bona fide allergy, a sip of alcohol is enough to trigger a noticeable reaction. However, researchers are still baffled as to why this happens, since the body naturally produces minimal amounts.