Allergy to various types of beer - why it manifests itself and what to do. Is it possible to be allergic to beer After drinking beer, the allergy disappears

An allergy can occur to any product. And even such a light, intoxicating drink as beer can cause an allergic reaction. This is a rather rare occurrence. Out of 100 people, only 1 reacts negatively to the use of this type of alcohol.

Often people are in no hurry to visit a doctor, not suspecting that the allergy is caused by drinking beer. However, medical statistics confirm that a certain category of people react negatively to malt, hops, yeast and other components that make up this type of alcohol.

An allergy is a disease in which the immune system begins to actively produce antibodies to allergens. At the same time, a huge number of biochemical and physiological reactions are launched that provoke the appearance of negative symptoms in a person, as in the photo.

The task of the immune system is to maintain constant cellular and macromolecular constancy in the body and protect a person from the ingress of foreign substances, bacteria, viruses and microorganisms.

Therefore, when foreign substances enter the body, the system analyzes their structure and, in case of a threat to health, begins to actively produce antibodies that are in the blood plasma. This helps prevent the development of diseases.

But in some situations, the immune system takes completely harmless substances as hostile and begins to produce histamine, which causes allergic reactions.

There is damage to mast cells, which are found in many tissues. Negative symptoms appear, which cause a skin rash, spasm of the bronchi and muscles, increased secretion of the stomach, and the appearance of mucus. An allergy is diagnosed in a person and complex treatment is prescribed to eliminate the cause of its formation.

The most common factors for the onset of the disease are:

intolerance to certain components;
abuse of certain groups of drugs;
infection of the upper respiratory tract;
reaction to household and professional allergens;
disorders in the immune system;
delayed vaccination.

Peculiarities

The content of beer includes a large number of ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction. The most common cause of allergies is barley malt, the grains of which contain a large number of specific substances. Therefore, if a person reacts negatively to cereal pollen, the likelihood of a disease is high.

The next component of an alcoholic drink is hops, which can also trigger the active production of histamine. Yeast, which is a fungus, gives a special taste to beer. They can cause the body to be highly sensitive to enzymes, causing a negative reaction.

Beer contains colorants, preservatives and flavors. They can negatively affect the body, causing dysfunction of the immune system.

The reasons

Allergies are caused by many factors. The most common include:

hereditary predisposition;
tendency to diathesis in childhood;
the presence of bronchial asthma;
allergic rhinitis;
atopic dermatitis;
hypersensitivity to pollen of cereal crops;
intolerance to gluten - a protein of cereals;
regular consumption of beer in large quantities.

How does it manifest

Allergy to beer can manifest itself in various ways. The most common symptoms of the disease are:

swelling of the nasopharynx due to the vasodilating effect of the drink;
conjunctivitis, in which swelling of the eyelids occurs;
cough, asthmatic spasm;
urticaria in the form of a rash and skin itching;
pain in the stomach, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, intestinal colic;
nasal congestion, mucous discharge from it;
redness, peeling of the skin;
tachycardia;
sneezing
itching in the nose;
temperature rise;
angioedema.

Important! When Quincke's edema appears, you must immediately call an ambulance.

Dangerous symptoms in adults

When an allergy occurs, a rash on the skin is observed in the patient. Most often they are localized in the area of the elbows, on the abdomen and buttocks. There may be redness of the skin on the face, arms, legs. The mucous membranes of the nose swell, the whites of the eyes become reddish. The skin in the nose area turns red.

The most serious and dangerous manifestations of the disease are bronchial spasm and angioedema. There is swelling of the larynx, which makes it difficult for the patient to breathe. The upper respiratory tract is affected. Failure to get immediate medical attention for these symptoms can be fatal.

A photo

If you experience symptoms in an adult, as in the photo below, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Treatment

When treating an allergy to beer, the doctor gives a complex of medications that will help eliminate the causes and symptoms of the disease. If the first signs of an allergy appear, one of the following antihistamines may help:

Tsetrin:
Desal;
Tavegil:
Suprastin:
Zodak;
Fenistil.

It is important to cleanse the body of the allergen. For this, sorbents are received:

Smecta;
Filtrum:
Activated carbon:
Enterosgel.

With reddening of the skin, rashes and other external manifestations, local preparations are used - ointments, gels, creams. The most commonly used nonsteroidal drugs are:

Retinol:
Panthenol;
Fenistil;
We see.

Hormonal preparations are effective:

Elocom;
Advantan.

Urgent help

At the first signs of the disease, you should consult a doctor. Before the arrival of the medical team, it is important to provide first aid to the patient. You should act according to the following algorithm:

loosen the collar of outerwear so that a person can breathe deeply;
open windows for fresh air;
give the patient a large amount of boiled water and provoke vomiting;
give the patient any sorbent that is in the medicine cabinet and the necessary dose of an antihistamine;
to avoid nervous overexcitation, shortness of breath and tachycardia, give the patient a sedative.

ethnoscience

If a person is allergic to beer, you can use the following recipes:

Pour a glass of boiling water 1 tbsp. l. series and infuse the decoction for 20 minutes. Drink three times a day as a tea.
Collect dandelion flowers and lightly dry them. Pour 500 ml of boiling water over 100 g of flowers and infuse the decoction for 3 hours. Then strain it and drink 50 ml three times a day before meals.
Pour a glass of boiling water 1 tbsp. l. chamomile and leave for 10 minutes. Drink 3 times a day for 1/2 cup.
Grind the celery stalks and squeeze the juice out of the gruel with cheesecloth. Drink three times a day for 1 tbsp. l. before eating.
Pour 50 g of rose hips with a glass of boiling water and boil the broth in a water bath for 20 minutes. Take three times a day instead of tea after meals.

Important! Consult your doctor before taking herbal medicines.

Prevention

In order to prevent a person should start taking antihistamines during the flowering season of plants. Do not use any products that contain ingredients that contribute to the appearance of allergies. Doctors recommend drinking courses of folic acid and immunomodulators to strengthen immunity.

There are a few key steps to follow:

If the person is allergic to beer, stop taking the alcoholic beverage.
During the flowering of cereal crops, do not stay outside for a long time. Time for walks should be chosen in the evening.
Daily wet cleaning of the room.
If negative symptoms appear, start taking antihistamines.
Avoid foods that can trigger an allergic reaction.

Conclusion

Allergy to beer is rare. It often happens that a person is not even aware of the manifestation of negative symptoms associated with the use of this alcoholic beverage. Therefore, in order to avoid serious complications, at the first manifestations of an allergy, it is necessary to consult a doctor. The patient will be diagnosed in order to accurately establish the allergen that caused the negative reactions.

In contact with

Drinking alcohol and smoking are harmful but fairly common habits; we all know that frequent exposure to ethanol and nicotine has adverse health effects. Patients suffering from allergic reactions are no exception; today we will discuss the compatibility of urticaria with alcohol and cigarettes, methods of therapy and prevention of exacerbations.

Reasons for the development of pathology

There are two types of causally significant or etiological factors:

Basic. These are diseases of the digestive, endocrine and nervous systems, infections. Quite often, the prerequisites for the development of skin lesions are created by intestinal dysbacteriosis - a violation of the composition of normal microflora. In addition, the risk increases when taking a large number of drugs, the presence of aggravated heredity (if family members are sick with urticaria).
Launchers. These are the factors that trigger the reaction - provocateurs, or triggers. Without the presence of basic disorders, they are not dangerous, but after the formation of pathological sensitivity, contact with them leads to the onset of symptoms. Examples are foods and drinks, drugs, chemicals, and cosmetics.

A characteristic sign of urticaria is itchy red and porcelain blisters (urticaria) that do not have a cavity.

They appear suddenly after contact with a provocateur. Most often, the cause of their occurrence is an allergy - the immune system, in response to contact with a trigger, produces antibodies (special protective complexes). However, there are other flow options:

pseudo-allergy (without the participation of immunity - an example is alcoholic urticaria);
response induced by physical stimuli (heat, cold, vibration, pressure).

The mechanism of development (pathogenesis) in each case is different, but the symptoms are similar, since the biologically active substance histamine is released, which, interacting with special receptors, provokes redness, swelling, itching and rash.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

In this section, we will look at the compatibility of urticaria with alcohol consumption and what disorders this habit can provoke in a patient. It is also worth paying attention to the discussion of the consequences of cigarette smoking for allergy sufferers.

Is there hives from alcohol?

Alcoholic beverages belong to a group of substances that promote the release of histamine in the body. Therefore, alcoholic urticaria does occur - although such a term is not official, since the ethanol-containing drink plays the role of a provocateur, and not the basic etiological factor in the development of disorders.

It should be noted that hives after alcohol can also be associated with a reaction to a snack:

Smoked products.
Fish.
Shrimps.
Tomatoes.
Canned food.

These foods also release histamine and trigger skin symptoms.

Of course, not all patients react to alcohol with an itchy rash, so there is the concept of individual tolerance. Some people can safely consume ethanol-containing drinks. What does it depend on?

First, the volume of the provocateur matters. If we are talking about pseudo-allergies, the risk of occurrence and the brightness of symptoms directly depends on how much alcohol a person drinks at a particular moment. The more harmful substance consumed, the higher the likelihood of exacerbation of the reaction.

Secondly, the type of drink and its composition are important, the presence of a snack that can cause the release of histamine. For these reasons, it is undesirable to drink alcohol, but with careful control of the dose, there is a chance to avoid the development of an episode of urticaria.

At the same time, a number of patients have a true allergy - in particular, to wine and beer. It is not associated with sensitivity to ethanol, but with a reaction to dyes, flavors, flavors, yeast, hops. In this case, the volume of the provocateur does not matter, the reaction starts even after a sip of a causally significant drink. Patients suffering from this type of intolerance should avoid any product containing alcohol.

Are cigarettes allowed?

Smoking does not bring any benefit, but provokes intoxication (poisoning) of the body, causes drying of the mucous membranes and the risk of developing hyperreactivity (inadequately increased sensitivity to stimuli) from the bronchi, and this is a prerequisite for the development of asthma.

In addition, cigarettes may contain flavors, flavors and other hazardous ingredients. Even if we are talking about products without nicotine - based on herbs (used, in particular, to quit smoking without acute stress due to abrupt quitting), the likelihood of allergies is very high.

Are e-cigarettes dangerous?

They are also called vapes - these are devices that allow you to inhale the vapors of a liquid poured into a special container. They are considered an analogue of the classical way of smoking tobacco. But for allergy sufferers, they are no less dangerous. Why? It's all about the filler, more precisely, in its components. It:

dyes;
flavors;
flavoring additives;
auxiliary substances (for example, propylene glycol, glycerin).

All of them can provoke true and pseudo-allergies, so urticaria is a very likely consequence of vaping. Even a high-quality filler can trigger a reaction - remember, there are also episodes of sensitivity to expensive foods or drugs. And smoking for the patient should become a habit that should be eliminated as soon as possible.

Thus, neither alcohol nor cigarette smoking is compatible with hives.

Treatment

It is carried out with a severe course in a hospital, in the absence of a threat to life - at home with a visit to a doctor in a clinic. As with any form of individual sensitivity, the use of three basic methods of therapy is relevant.

Elimination treatment

This is the cessation of contact with the substance or factor that causes the reaction. If it's alcohol, you should stop using it; the same goes for cigarettes. It is important to find out which component is the allergen - for this purpose, diagnostic tests are used: laboratory and skin tests, applying the suspected trigger to the forearm or back and monitoring the development of symptoms.

Elimination is observed constantly. Only the exclusion of contact with provoking factors allows us to count on a stable remission - that is, the absence of symptoms of urticaria in the patient.

Diet treatment

Urticaria can be caused by various reasons, but dietary restrictions can reduce the amount of allergens coming from food. Alcohol is completely eliminated, even if the symptoms were provoked by contact with another trigger. You should also avoid foods such as:

You should reduce the amount of fast carbohydrates (sweets), introduce cereals, lean meat, dairy products into the diet.

Medication treatment

Antihistamines are used:

"Tsetrin";
"Erius";
"Eden";
"Zyrtec";
"Lorano";
Telfast.

Since they block the action of the histamine mediator that causes symptoms, the symptoms of urticaria quickly disappear.

It is better to choose drugs without a sedative, that is, a sedative and hypnotic effect.

This will allow you not to be afraid of a decrease in concentration during the performance of everyday tasks. Treatment should be carried out with the help of prolonged forms - that is, those drugs whose duration of action is from 12 to 24 hours. The list includes just such medicines.

Local (topical) forms of drugs may also be useful: "Psilo-balm", "Fenistil". They are applied to areas of skin lesions to eliminate itching and swelling. In severe cases, drugs of the glucocorticosteroid group are used: Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone.

Prevention

A reaction to alcohol or cigarettes can only be prevented by avoiding alcohol and smoking. You should also take care to eliminate the basic etiological factors in the development of urticaria, which were mentioned at the beginning of the article. To do this, it is required to identify them (using a survey, examination of the patient, the use of laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods) and plan a course of therapy.

Also worth:

Stick to a diet - eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, cook meals by boiling, stewing, baking in the oven or steaming. Fatty, fried, spicy foods should be avoided.
Treat dysbacteriosis. For this, preparations of the group of pro- and prebiotics are used - they contain cultures of bacteria and substances that help in their vital activity ("Lacidophil", "Yogurt", "Laktofiltrum").

Alcohol can bring joy and a state of slight dullness, and it is also not uncommon for a person with a certain addiction to develop a rash after drinking alcohol. At the same time, initially, many do not associate this condition with alcohol. As always, something else is to blame. But, just such a rash has its own characteristics and is a real sign to think about your health and make the right decision once and for all.

Rash after alcohol - alcoholic urticaria

It seemed that five minutes ago everything was absolutely normal and life was easy and fun, but now a slight itching and scratching begins. In some places, reddish spots with blisters and other charms appear on the skin. Although you pay little attention to this, being in a state of euphoria. But alcoholic urticaria is a real problem.

Many have never even encountered such a manifestation of the body and for them everything is literally new. And do not assume that the first "bell" will quickly pass. Despite the transience of the rashes, they signal that there are real health problems and the liver can no longer cope with the increased load. And this is a real reason to think.

Often such rashes begin to frighten. In a matter of minutes, the dermis is covered with dense blisters with cloudy contents. A rash after alcohol covers significant areas of the body in just half an hour. However, it disappears just as quickly. But, the new portion will bring a lot of trouble. Therefore, in order to prevent further rashes, it is worth refusing to take alcohol.

Causes of a rash from alcohol

Every sane person will definitely be interested in what causes a rash after drinking alcohol. They are inherently banal and it is not difficult to guess about them, especially if there were similar problems before.

The following reasons should be distinguished:

Failure of the internal organs, especially the liver. She can not cope with the increased load, so the reactions are so strong. Most often, the liver, kidneys and digestive system are already working at maximum capacity. Alcohol was the last straw. If there are such signals on the face, then you should give up alcohol. And better forever.
Alcohol has become an allergen catalyst. It doesn't matter what you're allergic to. Some believe that having an allergy to citrus fruits, you can remember the last cocktail or drink for a long time. Even minor additions can lead to serious consequences. And the blisters here are just the beginning of a sad story.
Disulfiram-ethanol reaction. Those who have been encoded over the past year and a half know about it. Premature consumption of the drink led to logical consequences. At the same time, a person can start drinking ahead of time, and the effect will not appear immediately.
Combination with drugs. This is especially true when taken simultaneously with antibiotics or after prolonged inpatient treatment.

The rash after alcohol has different causes. But, each of them is quite serious. Therefore, there is always a reason to think about the consequences.

Symptoms of hives from alcohol

Many people ignore obvious symptoms by themselves, as they believe that intoxicating drinks are not harmful to them. Obvious deviations in health seem just a misunderstanding. But, when such behavior of the organism appears time after time, this is a serious reason to think. It is worth highlighting the following symptoms of hives from alcohol:

The face, hands and décolleté area is covered with red spots. In some cases, even stars are formed. The dermis is very itchy.
Intoxication is so strong that a person can simply lose consciousness. In this case, the amount drunk can be relatively small.
Body temperature can both rise sharply and fall significantly. A similar situation is observed with blood pressure.
Tachycardia on the background of severe headache.
Exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Flow from the nose of clear discharge.
Signs of neuralgia: lack of air, difficulty breathing.

Symptoms of alcoholic urticaria are obvious. True, for some they are often a reaction to alcohol, and a standard one. If each time the body works in the same way, then it is worth considering whether it is worth subjecting it to such tests every time, since it works for wear and tear.

Localization of alcohol rash

Those who repeatedly encounter such rashes are well aware of what rashes are like after drinking alcoholic beverages. Localization can take place in different places. But it spreads instantly. Literally before our eyes, the color of the human dermis changes. At the same time, absolutely white spots framed by red rashes remain on the body and face. They are not big. But, they itch incredibly and cause trouble.

Rashes on the face after alcohol

In this case, the reaction can be traced without problems. A rash on the face after alcohol appears almost instantly. Many attribute it to a slight blush, but here we are not talking about cosmetic achievements. Cheeks almost start to burn. The forehead itches. Often the rash is transmitted to the neck and décolleté. Spots are well traced on these skin areas. In this case, in some cases, blisters growing before the eyes may jump. Literally in half an hour, strong redness is replaced by a normal state. This is provided that a new portion of alcohol has not entered the body.

Rash on the body after alcohol

It mostly appears in the abdomen. At the same time, rashes on the body from alcohol begin with severe itching. Literally burns the skin. After that, small dots appear. Such a rash practically does not spread to the hands. The exception is the area under the shoulders. Here the skin is very soft. Blisters are rarely localized, but very quickly.

How to cure a rash after drinking alcohol?

First of all, you should refuse to consume strong drinks and seek help from a specialist. He will prescribe the right treatment depending on all the reactions of the body. How to get rid of a rash after drinking alcohol? Your eyes must be turned to adsorbents. They do an excellent job with the task and remove excess toxins that provoked the problem. Must try:

Enterosgel.
White coal.

Proper dosage will speed up elimination. In order for all harmful substances to bind in the body, it is recommended to take preparations such as smectite. They cope well with alcohol poisoning and its consequences, which are allergies.

A rash after alcohol may rarely appear. And it can be caused by a poor-quality drink and a reaction to its components. Real allergy to natural ethyl alcohol is rare. But, if a similar situation was observed once or yes, or the family had precedents for intolerance to alcohol, then this drink should be abandoned and a worthy alternative should be found.

Considering the red spots on the swollen face that appeared the next morning after friendly gatherings, some of us for the first time wonder if there is an allergy to beer. Unfortunately yes. Moreover, if earlier it was extremely rare, then every year more and more people complain about this disease.

Trying to make their product tastier and trying to extend the shelf life, manufacturers add more and more flavors, flavor enhancers, and preservatives to beer. And no one can predict what reaction all these substances will cause in the human body.

Beer Allergy Symptoms

The exacerbation of allergies is not caused by the drink itself, but by one or more of its ingredients (organic and inorganic compounds):

barley malt;
hop;
yeast;
sulfites and other additives;
carbon dioxide.

Sometimes an allergic reaction is caused by a combination of beer with some kind of snack.

Allergy to barley malt

Barley malt contains the LPT protein, a strong allergen. When ingested, it causes:

rash, itching, tingling of the skin of the face;
cough - due to inflammation of the mucous membrane. In difficult cases, pulmonary edema is possible;
swelling of the eyelids and lips.

Often, people with an allergy to pollen react to barley malt protein. The same symptoms appear after eating barley porridge, less often pasta and other types of porridge.

A person with this form of allergy should try gluten-free rice and corn beer. Light wheat beer contains gluten, but if the allergy is mild, the drink may not cause a negative reaction in the body.

Hop allergy

Symptoms:

allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis. Obviously not a cold, a person begins to sneeze, blow his nose, tears flow from his eyes, eyelids swell;
hives;
asthma attack. In this case, hospitalization is required.

If you are allergic to hops, beer should not be consumed at all, even non-alcoholic.

Yeast Allergy

Symptoms:

nausea and vomiting;
diarrhea;
pain in the upper abdomen;
hives and itching;
cough (due to mucosal inflammation).

If you are allergic to yeast, you should not drink live unfiltered beer.

Allergy to sulfites and other additives

Symptoms:

rash;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
in severe cases - anaphylactic shock.

Sulfites are commonly used as preservatives not only for beer, but also for wine. Therefore, wine allergy sufferers usually cannot drink canned beer. Live beer, in which there are no such amount of chemical additives, usually does not cause a negative reaction.

Allergy to carbon dioxide

In sensitive people, carbon dioxide causes swelling of the face, hands, or feet. In the same way, the body reacts to carbonated water, artificially carbonated champagne, purchased kvass. If you are allergic to carbon dioxide, it is recommended either to completely abandon beer, or to determine a relatively safe dose experimentally (live beer is preferable, since it has natural carbonation).

Allergy to beer in babies

Sometimes breastfeeding women cannot refuse beer or deliberately drink a little of it so that milk comes. It must be remembered that hops are the strongest allergen that can cause a rash and stomach cramps in an infant. Therefore, it is better not to drink beer during lactation.

Prevention and treatment of beer allergy symptoms

If the symptoms of an allergy to beer appeared in an adult who had previously consumed the drink without problems, it means that either his immune system is weakened, or he is “lucky” to find a beer with a high allergen content.

Another option is an allergy to the combination of beer with some product. Most often, an exacerbation of the disease is caused by "chemical" snacks: chips, crackers and nuts with flavorings.

If the symptoms do not require hospitalization, then it is necessary:

refuse to drink beer until the causes of the allergic reaction are clarified;
with rashes and edema, starve for 1–2 days, drinking 2–2.5 liters of fluid daily;
in order to quickly pass the rash, you need to drink nettle infusion 3-4 times a day (it cleanses the blood);
with swelling, drink rosehip infusion;
Take antihistamines as prescribed by your doctor.

Then you should consult an allergist. After the tests, it will become clear what exactly causes the allergy. Then it will be possible to determine which types of beer are strictly forbidden to drink, and which ones should not be abandoned.

Perhaps everyone has experienced the sad consequences of taking alcoholic beverages at least once in their life. A red swollen face, indigestion, increased gas formation, drowsiness and indifference, or, conversely, unreasonable excitement and anxiety, and a hangover the next morning are all signs of alcohol poisoning. Or allergies?

How does alcohol allergy occur?

The cause of an allergy is a malfunction of the immune system, when a harmless substance is recognized by the body as harmful. To fight the perceived enemy, the human immune system begins to produce antibodies that, when in contact with a foreign substance, release powerful chemical compounds. Their excess causes allergic symptoms.

Allergy to alcohol in its pure form is very rare, and the causes of its occurrence have not yet been identified. The human body itself constantly produces small amounts of alcohol (on average, the blood usually contains between 0.01 and 0.03 mg), so the occurrence of an allergy to alcohol looks especially strange. Just 1 ml of pure alcohol (equivalent to 10 ml of wine or a sip of beer) can cause allergic reactions in people with alcohol allergies that can be deadly. The situation can be further complicated by the fact that in many people allergic tests for alcohol give a negative answer, but are positive for the breakdown products of ethanol - acetaldehyde and acetic acid.

However, much more often, allergic reactions are caused by the components that make up alcoholic beverages, whether it is the raw materials from which the drink is made, or later additives - flavors, clarifiers, thickeners, preservatives. All these products can contribute to the development of allergies, even in people who are not sensitive to alcohol itself. An acquired allergy to alcohol or its ingredients can occur at any time in a person's life.

What are the symptoms of alcohol allergy?

With a true alcohol allergy or an allergy to the substances that make up the drink, even a small amount of alcohol drunk can cause symptoms up to anaphylactic shock, which is a threat to human life. Alcohol allergy symptoms may include:

red spots on the face, itching of the skin of the face, lips, nose
allergic conjunctivitis, itching, increased lacrimation
stuffy nose, wheezing cough, difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, throat, or other parts of the body
severe skin rash, eczema
stomach pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
dizziness, loss of consciousness

Sometimes alcohol makes symptoms worse in people with hives. Fortunately, rashes caused by physical contact with an irritant are very rare. In people suffering from bronchial asthma, alcohol can cause complications, coughing, shortness of breath up to bronchial obstruction. Alcohol can also aggravate the symptoms of other food allergies and even lead to.

Strong alcoholic drinks can provoke an allergic reaction to foods that a person could previously eat without consequences. This is because alcohol increases the ability of the digestive system to absorb nutrients from the body. One example is a common allergy to poultry meat, which a person snacked on alcoholic beverages.

If a person observes the above symptoms after drinking alcoholic beverages, it is recommended to consult a doctor. If allergic symptoms are ignored and left untreated, an allergic reaction to an irritant can become more and more severe, even fatal.

Allergy or intolerance to alcohol

Sometimes it happens that the discomfort caused by the use of alcoholic beverages - red spots on the skin of the face, stomach cramps, headaches, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat - are not caused by allergies, but by individual intolerance.
The difference is that with allergies, a person's immune system reacts to alcohol or a substance that is part of an alcoholic beverage. And with intolerance to ethyl alcohol, the digestive system is unable to cope with the alcohol that has entered the body. This happens when the body cannot produce a special enzyme that helps break down and absorb certain substances. For example, in people from Asian countries, the gene responsible for the conversion of alcohol to acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid does not work well. As a result, a large amount of acetaldehyde can accumulate in the body, which causes the above symptoms.

Histamine intolerance

Histamine is a chemical substance produced by the human body. It can also be found in many foods and drinks, especially fermented ones. Its concentration is especially high in mature cheese, smoked meat, sauerkraut, wine and beer.
Normally, the human body produces an enzyme called diamine oxidase to break down histamine. However, if the body is not able to produce the right amount, histamine begins to accumulate, which leads to the development of allergic-like symptoms - redness of the skin, itching, stuffy nose, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Sulfite intolerance

Some people have an individual intolerance or special sensitivity to sulfites. These compounds are often added to wine and beer to limit fermentation or as a preservative. Usually in the food industry, potassium hydrosulfite (E228) or potassium pyrosulfite (E224) is used. Often reactions similar to allergic ones can also be caused by a substance related to sulfites - sulfur dioxide (E220).

Lymphogranulomatosis

In some (fortunately, very rare) cases, pain when drinking alcohol can be caused by cancer - lymphogranulomatosis or Hodgkin's lymphoma. This type of cancer affects the lymphatic system. As a rule, enlarged lymph nodes in Hodgkin's disease do not hurt, but for as yet unknown reasons, in rare cases, after drinking alcohol, a person may experience pain in them.

Diagnosis of allergy to alcoholic beverages

If you notice any of the symptoms described above after drinking alcohol, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Depending on these, your general practitioner may refer you to an allergist to determine the cause of your allergy.
Most likely, the doctor will ask the following questions:

What alcoholic beverages cause symptoms?
What exactly are these symptoms?
When did you start experiencing something like this?
Do you have relatives with allergies?
Do you have other medical conditions, and if so, which ones?

Most likely, if an allergy to alcohol or the substances that make up alcoholic beverages is suspected, the patient will be recommended to undergo allergy testing. The most common type of testing is skin testing, in which a small amount of a possible allergen is applied to skin that has been pricked or scratched with a special medical instrument. You can also use a blood test for antigens and antibodies contained in it.

If it is not possible to determine the irritant in this way, in some cases the doctor may suggest drinking a small amount of the suspected allergy-causing substance. At the same time, he will carefully monitor the reaction of the patient's body.

Allergological tests are always performed in a medical environment - sometimes they themselves can cause a serious allergic reaction.

wine allergy

The most common cause of allergies is red wine. An allergic reaction can be triggered by one of the ingredients that make up the alcoholic beverage, or by the raw materials used (for example, certain grape varieties). It is also believed that other non-ethanol components of the wine (for example, by-products of fermentation that turns grape juice into wine) may be to blame, as well as additives that are required to give the wine proper consistency, taste and aroma. An allergy to alcohol can even be caused by mold that forms on the cork of a wine bottle.

Raw material. The grapes from which the wine was made can also cause an allergic reaction. In addition to the substances contained in it, allergies can also be caused by the treatment of grapes before harvest, for example, with sulfur dioxide in case of fungal diseases of plants.

By-products of grape juice fermentation, such as histamine. Its content in wine varies depending on the variety and type of drink (for example, in red wines it is more than in whites, and in shiraz more than in cabernet).

preservatives. About a third of people with asthma complain that they feel bad after taking small doses of alcohol. The reason is sodium pyrosulfate (E223), which has been used as a preservative since the time of the ancient Romans. After drinking drinks containing it, many asthma sufferers experience attacks. As a rule, there is more sodium pyrosulfate in white wine than in red, and less in bottles than in cask wine. Wines with a reduced content of sodium pyrosulfate have also appeared on sale, although people with a high sensitivity to sulfur compounds are unlikely to be able to even consume them. Also, to increase the shelf life, other sulfur compounds are often added to the wine, which can provoke an asthmatic attack, and in extremely sensitive people even lead to anaphylactic shock. Sodium benzoate (E211) can also cause hives and make breathing difficult in asthma.

Food colorings. Tartrazine (E102) is used to give the wine a golden hue. This substance is highly allergenic and can cause skin rashes and asthma attacks.

Sweeteners. They are often added to cheap champagne to mask the faults of the wine.

Squirrels. To change the degree of transparency of the drink, egg whites or seafood are often used. Although these products are quite capable of causing allergies on their own, it remains unclear whether they can provoke an allergic reaction after being used as a clarifier due to their extremely low content in the finished product.

Allergy to beer

In terms of the frequency of allergies, beer ranks second after wine. It would seem that the main ingredient of beer is water, where do allergies come from? However, the drink contains many substances that can cause an allergy to beer.

Malt (barley, wheat, rye, corn) or corn, rice, potatoes, used to ferment cheap beers with enzymes. Most often, allergies are caused by the protein compounds contained in them. The latest trend - gluten-free beer based on sorghum - can also provoke an allergic reaction if an individual is sensitive to this grain.

Hops are dangerous in case of individual intolerance.

Brewer's yeast. Although their content in the finished product is low, they can cause allergic reactions.

Histamine. It is generally less in beer than in red wine, but the available amount is quite capable of provoking an allergic reaction or intolerance.

Flavors and flavoring additives (coriander, orange peel, extracts of fruits and berries). As a rule, they are almost completely processed in the manufacture of the drink, but their residual traces can also cause allergies.

Preservatives, including sulfites, potassium and calcium benzoates (E212, E213). Compared to bottled beer, there are more preservatives in draft beer.

Clarifiers (tannic acid and other food tannins). Dangerous with individual sensitivity to tannins.

Allergy to vodka

It is generally accepted that vodka among alcoholic beverages causes the least allergic reactions. Its main ingredient is ethyl alcohol diluted with water. If the vodka is of high quality, there are practically no other ingredients in it. Possible allergens present in plant materials are already removed at the stage of product purification. Another thing is if the vodka is flavored or inexpensive, then the person who uses it may develop an allergy to flavoring substances, clarifiers, fusel oils and other impurities. The highest quality components, of course, are found in expensive Premium and Super Premium vodkas.

Allergy to cognac

Cognac is a strong alcoholic drink made from grapes. The main cause of allergies when drinking cognac is sulfur compounds used as preservatives, and histamine, which arose during the fermentation of grape raw materials. Although the tannins in brandy reduce the permeability of the intestinal walls, thereby reducing the effect caused by alcohol, they themselves can cause allergies. When drinking low-quality alcohol, an allergy can occur to many impurities - flavors, dyes, fusel oils, and so on.

Allergy to alcohol

It is generally accepted that in its pure form, an allergy to ethyl alcohol cannot occur. However, it is impossible to drink pure 96% alcohol - when ingested, it causes burns of the mucous membranes. Therefore, alcohol is diluted for drinking, and it is these additives that can cause allergies. The situation is further complicated by the fact that ethyl alcohol is an excellent solvent; the substance may be imperceptible to the naked eye, but still able to cause allergies.

How to get rid of alcohol allergy

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely and completely get rid of allergies. But it is possible to alleviate its symptoms and prevent the occurrence of life-threatening and health-threatening allergic reactions. If you are allergic to alcohol per se, the only way to avoid the onset and accumulation of symptoms is complete abstinence. Even a small amount can cause a serious allergic reaction.

People with a "true" alcohol allergy should remember that alcohol is found in many processed foods. These include fizzy drinks, ready-made sauces, marinades, even tomato puree. Overripe fruits can start to ferment, and the resulting alcohol is enough to trigger an allergic reaction. Some medicines, such as cough syrup, also contain alcohol, which is added to keep the medicine liquid. Ready meals in restaurants and cafes can be prepared with the addition of alcohol.

More often than not, however, the picture is not so bleak. If only certain types or varieties of drinks cause allergies, or a combination of them with a certain type of food, then you can either use a different variety or switch to another drink (for example, from beer to wine). In this case, it is recommended to consult a doctor first.

For a mild reaction to alcohol, oral antihistamines are sufficient to treat, as well as over-the-counter remedies to relieve symptoms (for example, healing and analgesic ointments for itching, rinsing the nasopharynx with a decoction of chamomile or saline, and so on). In severe cases, it is necessary to wear a medical bracelet at all times and, just in case, carry at least one autoinjector with adrenaline. After using epinephrine, you should immediately consult a doctor.