An alcohol allergy and alcohol intolerance are two different conditions. The immune system usually produces antibodies to fight harmful substances in the body. However, in people with an alcohol allergy, does whiskey help with allergies the system mistakenly produces antibodies to attack alcohol following exposure to the substance, triggering various symptoms. We will also look at what causes alcohol allergies and review the differences between alcohol allergy and intolerance.
How is alcohol allergy diagnosed?
Alcohol is added to cough medicines, but it’s probably not for the reason you think. Some of the compounds found in cough medicine don’t dissolve easily in water but do dissolve in ethanol (alcohol). Alcohol is rumored to work as a decongestant, but actually, the reverse is true. Ask your doctor for more information about your diagnosis and treatment options. It also contains ellagic acid, an antioxidant found in berries.
- If you have an alcohol allergy, your immune system over-reacts to alcohol.
- A person with severe allergies should carry one with them at all times, in case of a serious allergic reaction.
- Although not a true allergy, in some cases, what seems to be alcohol intolerance might be your reaction to something in an alcoholic beverage — such as chemicals, grains or preservatives.
- Extreme drowsiness can increase the chances of an injury or accident, and “lead to serious problems with thinking, judgment, and motor skills,” she warns.
- Alcohol is also a diuretic, meaning it increases the amount of water you expel from your body; dehydration makes allergy symptoms worse, Dr. Parikh says.
Diarrhea and Nausea
If your body can’t do this well enough, you will have a reaction. Alcoholic beverages are made from complex mixtures of grains, chemicals, and preservatives that your body needs to break down. Ginseng, echinacea, vitamin C, and vitamin D supplementation have not been shown to be effective as remedies for colds. As a result, cough syrup manufacturers may incorporate a small amount of alcohol so the medications mix. Alcohol may also act as a preservative for cough medicines, which helps extend these products’ shelf life.
What to know about alcohol allergies
If you sometimes get symptoms with certain drinks but not with others, then you are more likely to have an allergy. Sublingual immunotherapy is a potential treatment option for certain individuals. This involves placing a small amount of allergen under the tongue to help the immune system become less reactive. However, its effectiveness in treating alcohol allergy rash is still under study. Alcohol intolerance is caused by a genetic condition in which the body can’t break down alcohol efficiently. The only way to prevent these uncomfortable reactions is to avoid alcohol.
Some ethnic groups, particularly those of Asian descent, may also be more susceptible due to genetic differences in how alcohol is metabolized. Test for 15 common food allergens and up to 25 common indoor and outdoor respiratory allergens. The same quality lab tests doctors use and recommend, but no doctor visit required for purchase. Purchase the same tests your doctor orders and get insights into your health.
Allergy symptoms that alcohol makes worse
Sulfur dioxide is another closely related chemical that can trigger reactions in some people. People with sulfite allergies will likely need to avoid red wine. Similarly, those with a mold or yeast allergy may need to steer clear of fermented beverages made with brewer’s yeast, including beer and wine. If you experience headache, flushing, itching, or congestion after drinking red wine, it may be because you have histamine intolerance. Antihistamines like Allegra (fexofenadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) can help alleviate histamine intolerance symptoms. However, the best treatment is the avoidance of histamine in the foods we consume, including alcohol.
SLIT works by gradually desensitizing the immune system to the allergen, reducing the severity of reactions. This treatment is especially beneficial for individuals with multiple allergies or those who find it challenging to avoid allergens entirely. However, some people develop allergy-like symptoms, such as an itchy throat and nasal congestion, in response to the sulfites in wine.
This reaction then leads to inflammation and the development of a rash. There are several factors contributing to this reaction, including genetic predisposition and the presence of naturally occurring substances in alcoholic beverages. An alcohol allergy may manifest as facial redness, hives, or a skin rash. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, it can lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction.
Alcohol intolerance
Symptoms may occur within seconds or minutes of alcohol exposure and could trigger after exposure to even tiny amounts of the allergen. Anaphylaxis is a life threatening condition that involves a series of symptoms, such as a rash, low pulse, and shock. Dr. Ngo-Hamilton explains it may take your body anywhere from hours to days to completely rid itself of an allergy medicine. That exact timeline depends on the type of medication you took, what strength it was, and your personal health history.
What Is an Alcohol Allergy?
White wine tends to contain higher levels of sulfites than red wine and beer. There is little evidence that distilled spirits made from corn, including bourbon, pose a risk to people with corn allergies or intolerance. Even so, if you have a severe corn allergy, you may want to avoid corn-based spirits, most especially bourbon. Gin, whiskey, brandy, and some vodkas may also use corn as an ingredient or flavoring, so be sure to check the label. The type of yeast used to ferment many alcoholic beverages and to make dough rise is known as brewer’s yeast or baker’s yeast. First and foremost, it’s important to determine whether your symptoms are related to seasonal allergies, or if something larger is at play, like a developing cold or flu.