Liquor allergies are rare and are usually due to a specific ingredient in the alcoholic beverage. However, it is possible to suffer from alcohol intolerance. This disorder is caused by the accumulation of acetaldehyde. Symptoms can be extremely unpleasant and severe in some cases. If you suspect that you have alcohol intolerance, look out for physical symptoms, internal and digestive disorders, then see a doctor for a full examination. It's important to find out if you have an intolerance or allergy, as consuming chemicals that you can't metabolize can have serious consequences. Remember that if you have a severe allergic reaction, for example with difficulty breathing, it is important to call an ambulance right away.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Notice Physical Symptoms
Step 1. Notice if your face, neck, chest, or arms are red
Skin redness is one of the most common symptoms of alcohol intolerance. It is very common in people of Asian descent. People with this problem usually feel a warm or tingling sensation initially, before turning red. In some cases, the eyes also become red. These symptoms may appear after a beer or glass of wine and you will quickly notice redness of the face and neck.
- This reaction is caused by a mutation of the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which has the task of metabolizing alcohol.
- Those who suffer from alcohol-induced redness are at increased risk of cancer. There are many products on the market that claim to eliminate redness, such as famotidine, but which do not protect against the long-term effects of alcohol consumption. It is best not to exceed 5 alcoholic drinks per week if you notice these symptoms.
- Redness can also be caused by the combination of alcohol and the medications you take.
Step 2. Notice the swelling of the face and around the eyes
In some cases, facial redness is accompanied by swelling. The skin around the eyes, cheeks, and mouth can become visibly swollen after drinking alcohol. This is another symptom of alcohol intolerance.
Step 3. Look for skin irritation
Hives, which causes red, itchy pustules, is a common symptom of an allergic reaction. These blisters are pale red in color and often burn or sting. They can appear anywhere on the body, but usually occur on the face, neck, or ears. They normally fade on their own, but can last for hours or even days on the skin.
- Usually, the appearance of the bubbles indicates an allergy to the ingredients of the alcoholic drink. Stop drinking right away and grab a bottle of water.
- If you get blisters, apply a cold or wet washcloth to the affected area to reduce itching and burning.
Method 2 of 3: Notice Internal or Digestive System Problems
Step 1. Notice if you feel nauseous or vomit
It is common to suffer from nausea and even vomit after drinking too much. However, if you have an allergy or are intolerant to alcohol, you may have problems after just a couple of drinks. These symptoms can also be accompanied by stomach pains.
Step 2. Watch out for diarrhea after drinking alcohol
This unpleasant symptom is characterized by a production of soft and liquid stools. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as swelling, cramps, and nausea. If you get diarrhea after drinking alcohol, it is a sign of intolerance or allergy to alcohol and you should stop drinking immediately.
- Drink plenty of fluids (preferably water) if you suspect that you have diarrhea. If you pass liquid stools several times a day and don't drink enough, you can easily become dehydrated.
- See your doctor if you experience severe symptoms along with diarrhea, such as blood in the stool, high fever that lasts for more than 24 hours, or severe pain in the abdomen.
Step 3. Notice if you get a headache or migraine a couple of hours after drinking alcohol
If you have severe alcohol intolerance, you can suffer from painful headaches or migraines. Symptoms of migraine include throbbing headaches, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. This pain can only show up 1-2 hours after drinking and will last for a few hours.
Step 4. Notice if you have nasal congestion or if you have other allergic symptoms
Wine, champagne and beer contain histamines, substances released by the immune system to help expel allergens from the body. When you consume something you are allergic to, histamines are released into the blood and this can cause nasal congestion, mucus production, itchy and watery eyes. People with alcohol intolerance can be particularly sensitive to red wine and other spirits that contain a lot of histamines.
Wine and beer also contain sulphites, other compounds that can cause allergy symptoms
Method 3 of 3: Undergo Diagnostic Tests
Step 1. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor
If you suspect that you have an allergy or intolerance to alcohol, it is important to stop drinking alcohol and speak to an expert. Your doctor will ask you about family history, ask you what symptoms you have, and undergo a full physical exam. It can also run other tests that can diagnose an allergy or the underlying cause of your alcohol intolerance.
advise: Remember that the only way to prevent the symptoms of alcohol intolerance is to avoid alcohol altogether.
Step 2. Get a prick test for a quick diagnosis
It is the most used test for food allergies. In the course of this examination, the doctor uses drops of various solutions that contain food allergens. Then, using a needle, it will gently pierce your skin, allowing the solution to enter just below the surface. If a large white blister appears surrounded by a red area, you are probably allergic to the food that has been tested. If not, you are not allergic to that food.
- Ask your doctor to get tested for foods most often found in alcohol, such as grapes, gluten, seafood, and grains.
- Usually, the results of this test are ready after 30 minutes.
Step 3. Complete the blood tests
Thanks to the blood test, it is possible to measure the reaction of your immune system to certain foods, looking for antibodies against specific substances. To perform this test, a blood sample will be taken from you which will then be sent to a laboratory, where various foods will be analyzed.
It can take up to 2 weeks to get the results of this test
Step 4. Beware of alcohol consumption if you have asthma or hay fever
There are only a few scientific studies on the link between asthma and alcohol intolerance, but researchers have found that drinking alcohol in some cases can cause asthma symptoms in predisposed people. The most common spirits that make asthma symptoms worse include champagne, beer, white wine, red wine, fortified wines (such as sherry and port), and spirits (whiskey, brandy, and vodka). In addition, alcohol also has a negative effect on hay fever sufferers because it contains histamines, which can make symptoms worse.
If you suffer from asthma or hay fever and suspect you have an intolerance to alcohol, avoid red wine, which contains high levels of histamine
Step 5. Avoid alcohol if you have an allergy to grains or other foods
Alcoholic beverages can contain many different ingredients. If you are allergic to certain foods often found in alcohol, you may have a reaction when you drink them. Red wine is the drink that most often causes allergic reactions. Beer and whiskey can also cause them, because they contain 4 common allergens: yeast, barley, wheat and hops. Some of the other allergens that can contribute to allergic reactions include:
- Grape;
- Gluten;
- Fish protein;
- Oats;
- Egg proteins;
- Sulphites;
- Histamines.
Warnings
- The advice in this article is aimed at people who have reached the legal drinking age.
- Mild alcohol intolerances usually don't require a visit to the doctor. However, if you experience severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, dizziness, fainting, or rapid heartbeat, call an ambulance right away. These symptoms can indicate a life-threatening allergic reaction.
