Call Now
What is an Alcohol Allergy?
An alcohol allergy and alcohol intolerance are two distinct reactions that some people may experience when consuming alcohol. Despite both being adverse reactions to alcohol, they have different causes and symptoms. Allergy UK explains that it’s not unusual to experience allergy-like symptoms after consuming alcohol, whether it’s specific to a certain drink or caused by multiple types of alcohol. However, a true allergy to alcohol is very rare. In most cases where people may believe they have an allergy to alcohol, the alcohol is instead aggravating an existing condition like rhinitis, urticaria, or asthma because it causes your blood vessels up.
Whereas an alcohol allergy is a rare immune system response to proteins found in alcohol. When someone with an alcohol allergy consumes alcohol, their immune system mistakenly identifies the proteins in the drink as harmful and triggers an allergic reaction. An alcohol allergy is relatively rare and is not related to the alcohol content itself, but rather to the components in alcoholic drinks, such as proteins, grains, or other substances used in the production.
When it comes to alcohol intolerance, this is much more common and is a non-allergic reaction to alcohol. It occurs due to the body’s inability to metabolise alcohol effectively, often related to the lack of a specific enzyme which is necessary to break down alcohol in the body. As a result, the consumption of alcohol can lead to various symptoms, including:
- Facial redness or flushing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headaches
- Rapid heartbeat
- Nasal congestion
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Stomach cramps or diarrhoea
Alcohol intolerance symptoms typically appear shortly after consuming alcohol and can vary in severity based on how sensitive the person is to alcohol and the amount of alcohol consumed. Therefore, an alcohol allergy is an immune system response to proteins in alcoholic drinks, triggering allergic reactions, while alcohol intolerance is a non-allergic adverse reaction to alcohol due to the body’s inability to metabolise it effectively. It’s essential to differentiate between the two and seek appropriate advice for avoidance of alcohol-related issues.
Most Common Alcohol Allergy Symptoms
If you suffer from a true allergy to alcohol, even a small amount of alcohol can cause symptoms, some of which could potentially be life threatening. This reaction is like other types of allergic responses and can range from mild to severe. The symptoms of an alcohol allergy can include:
- Hives, eczema, or itchiness: Raised, itchy, and red bumps on the skin that may vary in size and shape. These can be localised or spread across the body.
- Itching or swelling, particularly of mouth, eyes, or nose: Itching of the skin, often accompanied by redness or rash. The skin may feel irritated and sensitive to touch.
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing: A feeling of tightness in the chest or a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing, often associated with narrowed airways.
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea: Feeling of sickness or vomiting shortly after consuming alcohol.
- Headaches or migraine: Alcohol allergy can trigger headaches or migraines, which can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by light or sound sensitivity.
- Anaphylaxis: A severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention.
What to Do if You Suspect You Have an Alcohol Allergy
It’s important to remember that you may experience a combination of symptoms, and the severity can vary from one person to the next. If you suspect an alcohol allergy, seek medical help to diagnose and manage the condition appropriately. Avoiding alcohol consumption and any known triggers is crucial in preventing allergic reactions. Until you have a clearer understanding of your situation, it’s prudent to avoid consuming alcohol altogether to prevent further allergic reactions or worsening of symptoms.
It can also be useful to document your symptoms each time you consume alcohol. Include details about the type of alcohol, quantity, and any other factors that might be relevant. This information can be valuable in identifying patterns and assisting your doctor in making an accurate diagnosis. If they suspect an alcohol allergy, they may recommend specific tests, such as skin prick tests or blood tests, to check for allergic reactions to various components of alcohol. They’re also likely to ask questions about your symptoms and medical history like ‘When did you start getting symptoms?’ or ‘Do you have relatives with allergies?’.
They may be able to pinpoint exactly what it is that you’re allergic to, for example, if you’re allergic to barley which is typically found in beer, you’ll may be able to continue drinking wine which doesn’t usually contain barley. In cases of mild reactions, over the counter antihistamines may be enough to help you cope with the symptoms, however, we strongly recommend seeking out professional medical support if these symptoms persist.
Find Help Today
If you’re struggling to control your alcohol intake or feel as though you may be suffering from an alcohol addiction, it’s crucial that you seek out professional support immediately. Here at Nova Recovery, we have an expert team of medical professionals who are ready to support your journey to recovery. It all starts with a simple phone call on 01475 303998 – our team can discuss all your options with you or just listen to what you’re going through if you need someone to talk to. Alternatively, fill out our contact form for help.
There are numerous techniques and therapies that we can implement to help you overcome any alcohol addictions. These may include cognitive behavioural therapy, stress management, relapse prevention therapy, counselling, mindfulness, yoga, fitness therapy, or music therapy. Whatever situation you’re in, no matter how lost you might feel, we’re here to help you create a happy and healthy lifestyle.
Back to all posts
John Gillen
- Author
- Last updated: September 22, 2023
John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.