Some signs of alcohol allergies have an intolerance or sensitivity to sulfites. These compounds are often added to beer and wine to limit the growth of yeast and act as a preservative. Common sulfites include potassium bisulfite or potassium metabisulfite.

The good news is that there are several types of allergy medications that may ease allergy symptoms. Alcohol can also impact health in a myriad of ways that overlap with allergies. For example, both sleep patterns and headaches, may both be symptoms of alcohol use and allergies. A 2005 study from Sweden found an increase in allergy symptoms among thousands of people who reported alcohol-related nasal symptoms.

Tips to Manage a Beer Allergy

If people do not produce enough of this enzyme, they may not break down histamine efficiently, which may lead to intolerance symptoms. Symptoms of alcohol intolerance can make a person feel uncomfortable. In contrast, an alcohol allergy could become life threatening. If people experience symptoms after drinking alcohol, they should speak with a doctor for further advice.

• People can also develop allergies to the plant and fungal sources of alcoholic beverages, such as grapes, hops, barley, rye, wheat, and yeast.
• It is treated by medical personnel with the administration of intravenous fluids and one or more epinephrine injections.
• Wheat, barley, and rye are three grains used to make beer and other alcoholic beverages.
• Recognizing the difference between these and an alcohol allergy could save a life.
• “Genetics and genomics of alcohol sensitivity.” Molecular Genetics and Genomics, January 7, 2014.

Plus, avoiding alcohol lowers your risk for cancer and other serious diseases. If you have alcohol intolerance but still find yourself drinking excessively, despite the pain and discomfort, talk to your healthcare provider. Services are available to help treat alcohol use disorder. Wheat, barley, and rye are three grains used to make beer and other alcoholic beverages. These grains can also trigger symptoms among those who have celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the small intestine. Having a runny or stuffy nose after a drink may easily be mistaken for alcohol allergy symptoms, but it is actually a sign of alcohol intolerance. The chemicals present in alcoholic beverages may contribute to nasal congestion or a runny nose.

Is alcohol intolerance the same as an alcohol allergy?

Alcohol intolerance is a real condition, but it can sometimes be confused with other related conditions, such as allergies or drug interactions with alcohol. Having an alcohol intolerance is a genetic condition that means your body cannot process alcohol correctly. The primary difference between an alcohol allergy and an alcohol intolerance is the reaction each produces.

Talk with a treatment provider today to begin your road to recovery. If you’re allergic to another ingredient contained in certain alcoholic products, switching to a different drink might be an option. For example, barley is typically found in beer but not wine. Histamine is a chemical that occurs naturally in your body. It’s also found in many foods and beverages, especially fermented products. For example, aged cheese, smoked meats, sauerkraut, wine, and beer tend to be high in histamines. While alcohol allergies are rare, the consequences of this condition can be serious.

Who might have alcohol intolerance?

An enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase helps metabolize the ethanol. If you have an alcohol allergy, make sure to have epinephrine shots with you at all times and wear a medical ID bracelet that tells health professionals you have an allergy. If you’re taking medication, check with your doctor to see if it’s OK to drink alcohol while you take it.

While one allergy treatment might not be the best route to freedom from symptoms, you may want to try several different methods to dull or prevent allergic responses. They may prevent someone from entering deep REM sleep or disturb natural sleep patterns. To date, little has been known about the effect of alcohol and allergies. Yet, two recent studies suggest that alcohol may have an impact on seasonal allergies. ☝️TIP☝️ If you’ve taken the Atlas DNA Test, you can show them your results for alcohol intolerance too. The Diamond Rehab Thailand was born out of a desire to help people recover from addiction in a safe, low-stress environment.