True alcohol allergy is thought to be rare, while alcohol intolerance is more common. Some people may incorrectly assume they are allergic to alcohol, when in fact they are actually reacting to other components of alcoholic drinks. Alcohol allergy is very rare but allergic reactions can be strong, leading in some cases to anaphylaxis which can be fatal.
Cancer
Alcohol intolerance is linked not to your immune system, but to your metabolic system. With alcohol intolerance, your body isn’t reacting to the presence of alcohol; it’s simply taking a long time to break alcohol down and flush it from the body. If the allergic reaction is more severe, people may require epinephrine, also known as an EpiPen.
- The medication epinephrine, commonly called an EpiPen, can help treat a severe allergic reaction.
- Once alcohol allergy has been ruled out, the diagnosis for alcohol intolerance is typically based on your reported symptoms and a detailed medical history.
- However, some people may experience allergy-like reactions after consumption.
Questions to ask a doctor
- If you have a true alcohol allergy, even small amounts of alcohol can cause symptoms.
- Unfortunately, the only treatment for alcohol intolerance is avoiding alcohol.
- Depending on whether a person has an alcohol allergy or intolerance, they may need to avoid alcohol entirely.
- They may also discuss possible medications for their reactions, such as antihistamines.
Unfortunately, the only treatment for alcohol intolerance is avoiding alcohol. No drug will help you avoid the symptoms of alcohol intolerance or lessen your cancer risk. The symptoms of histamine intolerance are similar to an allergic reaction. For example, potential symptoms include red and itchy skin, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If you have a true alcohol allergy, even small amounts of alcohol can cause symptoms. People often call alcohol intolerance an alcohol allergy, and vice versa.
Why Am I Developing Alcohol Sensitivity?
As a person ages, certain health conditions or medications may mean they have different reactions to alcohol than they previously did. Moreover, if a person has a serious reaction after drinking alcohol, they should consult a doctor sooner to determine what may be causing their symptoms. Alcohol intolerance may cause a person to experience immediate reactions after they drink alcohol, or they may develop it hours after, the day after, or even later in life.
It is important to seek specialist advice if your suspect some sort of alcohol intolerance, as alcohol intolerance and alcohol allergy are commonly confused and misdiagnosed. In fact, your body might have an inability to process other constituents of alcohol, such as histamine, yeast, grains, sulfites, or preservatives. The Recovery Village Atlanta offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. If in doubt, ask your allergy specialist for advice about the types of alcoholic beverages you can or cannot drink. People with mold or yeast allergies may have an allergic reaction to the brewer’s yeast used to make fermented beverages like beer, wine, and what causes alcohol intolerance hard cider.
Studies show that people with the alcohol intolerance gene are up to eight times more likely to develop head and neck cancer than people without it. They are also up to 12 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer than the general population. In particular, many people with alcohol intolerance wonder how to prevent the alcohol flush reaction, because they consider it embarrassing or unattractive. Some people take Pepcid to reduce their flush reaction and manage other symptoms of alcohol intolerance, but this approach is not recommended. An allergy or intolerance to alcohol is not always responsible for symptoms occurring after drinking alcohol. If people experience symptoms after drinking alcohol, they should speak with a doctor for further advice.
What is the difference between alcohol allergy and intolerance?
However, if you have a serious allergy-like reaction following drinking alcohol, consult a medical professional. In some cases, over-the-counter or prescribed medications might help alleviate symptoms. Some people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma experience pain after drinking alcohol. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that can affect your lymphatic system. Many people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma develop enlarged lymph nodes. But in rare cases, they become painful after alcohol consumption.
Sulfites are preservatives used in the production of certain foods and beverages, including beer, wine, and cider. There are several companies that offer alcohol intolerance tests, either as a single test or as part of a broader genetic test. The first enzyme turns alcohol into acetaldehyde, which is toxic. The second turns acetaldehyde into acetate, which the body breaks down into water and carbon dioxide and eliminates. The amounts of histamine vary between wines, but generally, there is more histamine in red than white wine.
Alcohol Use and Your Health
Alcohol intolerance is a condition where someone reacts negatively to alcohol and is caused by the way their body metabolizes (or breaks down) alcohol. Many foods, including red wine and aged cheese, are high in histamine. This is the same chemical involved in allergic reactions in the body. If drinking alcohol—also known as ethanol—gives you food allergy symptoms such as flushing or hives, you may have an intolerance to alcohol. A food allergy is an abnormal immune reaction to things we eat, while a food intolerance is an adverse reaction to food that does not involve the immune system. More research is needed to understand its causes and treatment options.
Lifestyle Quizzes
Alcohol intolerance is still normally uncommon in people with these types of conditions. Having an alcohol intolerance is a genetic condition that means your body can’t process alcohol easily. With this condition, you have an inactive or less-active form of the chemical that breaks down alcohol in your body.