Alcohol allergy happens when the body recognizes alcohol as a threat. Hence, one will surely experience red skin, headache, and nausea. The reactions happen after drinking alcohol.
1. Signs
Alcohol Allergy Symptoms include the following:
- Itchy mouth, eyes, or nose
- Skin Rashes
- Itchiness in the skin
- Swelling of body parts
- Difficulty breathing
- Hot flashes
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
Alcohol Flush Syndrome is a type of allergy. A person who has this will have red skin on the face, neck, and chest. However, it is common for those who drink too much alcohol. The redness of the face is a clear sign of a problem breaking down alcohol.
Other Signs to Lookout for:
Do not disregard the signs. There is a risk of developing serious concerns. Infections may happen. Therefore, it can lead to a deadly disease. Sometimes, the symptoms last only for a couple of hours. It is the initial reaction of the body to the first alcohol intake. Also, it may not come back anymore when the body gets used to it. However, it is only the case for those who drink excessively.
Migraines can occur in serious cases. It may last for up to two hours. The signs that will develop depends on how much alcohol was taken. Different tolerances also play a part. Also, not everyone will experience this allergy in the same way.
2. Causes
Alcohol allergy happens when your body reacts to it. In this case, it is alcohol. The body sees it as a threat. As a result, antibodies will come out. These will then cause a bad reaction in your body. Usually, people who experience it is allergic to its ingredient. However, it is rare to be allergic to alcohol. Commonly, wheat, yeast, rye, hops, barley, and grapes are the main causes. A person will develop signs once a person eats or drink it. Foods and other products can also be the cause. These include food marinades, fermented fruit, and tomato puree. Mouthwash and cough syrup are also some.
Moreover, a bad reaction to alcohol can comes from family history. However, one can have it because of taking medicine. Previous illnesses and injuries may increase the chances of having it.
3. Risk Factors
This type is commonly linked with Asian people. They are likely to experience the signs because of their genes. It is the body that cannot breakdown ingredients inside alcohol. As a result, they have more difficulty digesting alcohol properly. People who have asthma are also likely to have beer allergy. They will have difficulty breathing after drinking alcohol. The irritant may block airways to the lungs. It results in being out of breath.
Moreover, those who have hay fever are also prone. They will develop rashes after drinking.
An allergy to grains or other food increases the chances of having it. There is also a disease called Hodgkin’s lymphoma responsible for it. People may experience having serious pain after drinking alcohol.
4. Treatment
There is no cure for beer allergy. The only treatment is avoidance. Avoid alcoholic drinks. It is best to know what specific thing you are allergic to. Call a doctor once you notice alcohol allergy symptoms. They will perform tests to know what it is. A common test is the skin pricking test. A doctor will prick or scratch the skin. They will then apply a small amount of it to the area. How your skin reacts will let them know if you have an allergy. They can also do oral tests. The patient will take in a sample of a trigger. They will then observe the symptoms that will develop.
Important Note
Ask your doctor for guidance about foods or drinks that you may take in. Once you know, read the ingredients list carefully. Hence, do not be afraid to ask about the details of the menu items. You can switch to a different drink that doesn’t have what you are allergic to.
Medications can be taken to manage symptoms. Creams can be applied to ease the itch. At the same time, some oral medicines can help with rashes. One can buy it readily in drug stores. As always, it is best to visit your doctor. Ask about your diagnosis and treatment options. They may recommend medicine if you experience serious symptoms.
