Some people may incorrectly assume they are allergic to alcohol, when in fact they are actually reacting to other components of alcoholic drinks. So it’s important to distinguish between alcohol intolerance and a real allergy that is being triggered by specific ingredients found in alcoholic beverages, like chemicals, grains, or preservatives. And always remember drug addiction treatment that combining alcohol with certain medications can also cause severe adverse reactions.
How to test for alcohol intolerance
Alcohol can cause a great level of discomfort if someone drinks it without being aware they have alcohol intolerance. Continuing to drink alcohol while knowing you are intolerant (or allergic) can also have severe signs that you are allergic to alcohol health consequences. To begin, alcohol intolerance is a genetic condition characterized by the inability to process alcohol efficiently.
Can You Be Allergic to Alcohol? Understanding Alcohol Intolerance and Its Causes
If alcohol brings on your asthma or hay fever, stay away from red wine, since this contains high levels of histamine. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to get tested for an alcohol allergy, read on. If you experience redness, swelling, nausea, or a headache after you drink, the problem may not be as simple as a hangover. You might have an allergy or intolerance to alcohol—or some of the ingredients used to make the spirit you’re drinking. It may seem unfair that an inherited condition keeps you from enjoying the occasional glass of wine or beer. But staying away from alcohol can free you from the uncomfortable hot flushes and digestive issues that come with alcohol intolerance.
- There are several ways for a doctor to diagnose an alcohol allergy or intolerance, including the approaches below.
- This results in antibodies «fighting» the sulfites, resulting in an allergic reaction.
- If symptoms persist when you’re drinking wine or you’re unable to pinpoint the cause of your reaction, consult an allergist.
- Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
- The idea of giving up wine entirely might seem a little drastic, but it’s the only guaranteed way to completely prevent these allergic reactions from occurring.
- That can slow the buildup of bile in the liver and protect the liver from further damage.
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The body produces antibodies, and when they encounter alcohol, they set off a systemic allergic reaction. The immune system usually produces antibodies to fight harmful substances in the body. However, in people with an alcohol allergy, the system mistakenly produces antibodies to attack alcohol following exposure to the substance, triggering various symptoms. In some individuals, variations in the ALDH enzyme can lead to a higher or lower tolerance to alcohol. For example, an inherited lack of an ALDH variant called ALDH2, common in people of Asian descent, often results in alcohol intolerance.
Symptoms Of An Alcohol Allergy That Need Attention
- So, Dr Sim urges anyone who knows they’re allergic to certain foods, particularly grains, to be aware they could be in drinks, too.
- To learn about more about NASH/MASH and how it’s treated, talk with your doctor.
The liver first uses alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to break down ethanol into acetaldehyde, which is then converted into acetate by ALDH. That acetate, which is much less toxic than acetaldehyde, is then further broken down into water and carbon dioxide and eliminated from the body. In this article, we’ll briefly dive into the basics of alcohol intolerance, its symptoms, the diseases that may cause it, and how to test for this condition. You are now leaving thermofisher.com and going to a site owned and operated by an independent third party. Thermo Fisher Scientific is not responsible or liable for any content or services of any independent third-party site. Thermo Fisher Scientific does not represent independent third parties or the customer if the two enter into a transaction.