Do you get uncomfortable symptoms every time you drink alcohol? Maybe you flush red or maybe you get a splitting headache. Surprisingly millions of people around the world unfortunately get the same annoying symptoms to alcohol, but whilst it may look like an allergy to alcohol that may not always be the case.
Having a true alcohol allergy is very rare. It's more likely you have an intolerance to alcohol. In this article, we will be going over what an alcohol allergy is, how it's different from an alcohol intolerance, common symptoms, and more.
I know the feeling of having a great night ruined due to the uncomfortable effects of alcohol, but there are ways to combat this.
Let's dive in!
What is Alcohol Intolerance/Alcohol flush/Asian Flush?
If you think you're allergic to alcohol you are more than likely suffering from alcohol intolerance, which is also known as Asian flush. It is allied to this as 30-40% of east asians suffer from this genetic condition. Whilst many Asians get this it does not mean you can get this if you're not Asian.
Having an alcohol intolerance means your body is ineffective in breaking down the by-product of alcohol resulting in a toxic build-up. This is due to you having a missing enzyme known as ALDH2.
Common Asian Flush symptoms include:
Facial Flushing - This is one of the main symptoms, this occurs when your face, neck, and chest flushes red after consuming alcohol.
Warmth - Your body heat will increase due to the dilation of blood vessels under the skin, this warm feeling can be all over the body, but is usually worse in regions where your skin is red.
Headaches - Some people develop splitting headaches or migraine after drinking alcohol, these headaches can range in intensity.
Nausea - Asian flush can result in the feeling of sickness or nausea resulting in stomach aches and vomiting.
Difficulty Breathing - Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing is also a symptom of a flush. This symptom is also made worse for people who have asthma.
So now you know the symptoms of alcohol intolerance, how do you tell the difference between an alcohol intolerance and an alcohol allergy? That's what we will be talking about below.
The Difference Between Alcohol Intolerance and Alcohol Allergy
You will find that both alcohol intolerance and alcohol allergy result in very similar responses to alcohol. The main difference is how severe these symptoms are. Having an alcohol allergy can be a very serious situation that can become life-threatening if not treated in a quick enough time frame.
To give you an example, you may find someone with an alcohol intolerance may get warm, sick, or congested although someone who has an allergy may have the same symptoms, but may not be able to breathe or their body temperature is reaching a point where they are passing out.
Wine Allergy - Do You Have It?
Having a wine allergy can be pretty rare. Although having an alcohol intolerance is much more common, surprisingly 1/10 people in the world have this condition.
Here are a few symptoms you may have if you have a wine intolerance:
Red flushed face
Headaches
Stuffy Nose
Struggling to breath
The main symptom of people that have alcohol intolerance or a wine intolerance is a red flushed face, this can vary in severity depending on the amount drunk.
So, what are the allergens in wine?
Yeast - this is used to ferment the grapes to produce sugar that gets converted into ethanol.
Ethanol - this is the type of alcohol that is found in wine
Sulfites - This is used to preserve the wine and also to reduce the yeast
Finning agents - this can include milk, fish, and eggs
What about the type of wine?
Whilst all wines contain these allergens, it's found that red wine causes the highest reaction. In this study, 83% of participants reported they developed symptoms like nasal congestion and sneezing after drinking red wine.
Beer Allergy Symptoms
Many people find that beer gives them uncomfortable and unwanted symptoms right after consuming it. Beer symptoms can include:
Hives
Struggle breathing
Nausea
Flushed face
Allergens in Beer
There are a few different allergens that can cause beer allergy-like symptoms. Here are a few possible allergens that are causing your reaction:
Gluten - Gluten is found in ingredients like barley and wheat. Many people unknowingly drink alcohol when they have a gluten allergy which results in some similar symptoms.
Histamines - Histamines are produced during the fermentation process, having the missing ALDH2 enzyme means your body can not effectively prevent histamines from getting into the bloodstream.
Sulfates - You could instead have a sulfate intolerance which causes negative reactions when drinking alcohol.
Can You Have A Vodka Allergy?
Whilst possible, having a true vodka is rare, it is more likely that you have an alcohol intolerance.
Whilst some find vodka to be less upsetting to the body than red wine, it still includes ingredients that can cause a reaction.
Vodka allergy symptoms
Dizziness
Tight chest and throat
Flushed skin
Bloodshot eyes
Alcohol allergy symptoms can be very severe, it's recommended to speak with your local GP if you feel your symptoms are severe.
Symptoms of alcohol intolerance can be less severe, but still uncomfortable. Instead of having a tight chest or throat with an alcohol intolerance, if you had an alcohol allergy you would be struggling to breathe.
So, What Are The Options For Someone With Alcohol Allergy or Alcohol Intolerance?
If your symptoms are very severe, we would recommend visiting a doctor and avoiding drinking. Having a true alcohol allergy can be life threatening so its always best to get a second opinion.
But, if you feel you just have an alcohol intolerance, you can try our alcohol intolerance patches. Our patches include vitamines and antioxidants that help break down the alcohol in our body, so the toxins from alcohol do not cause uncomfortable reactions.
Try our flush patches today and enjoy your night flush free!