Your doctor will look for signs of allergic reactions, such as skin rashes or hives, and check for other symptoms like swelling or respiratory issues. In some cases, your doctor may observe how your body reacts to a controlled amount of alcohol to identify any immediate symptoms. Your genes can play a major role in whether you develop an alcohol allergy or intolerance. Many East Asians face a higher chance of alcohol intolerance because of reduced ALDH2 enzyme levels. If your body is suddenly rejecting alcohol, it could be due to alcohol intolerance, a reduction in enzyme production, an underlying health issue, or medication interactions.

When to see a doctor

The content, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other sober house material contained on this website is for informational purposes only. No content on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor represent the opinion of our physicians. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider for any medical condition or concern. It helps to pinpoint whether you have an intolerance or a full-blown allergy. The primary difference between an alcohol allergy and an alcohol intolerance is the reaction each produces. Alcohol allergies are caused by the immune system and intolerance is a reaction from the digestive system.

Alcohol intolerance

The best way to live with this condition is to avoid alcohol as much as possible. Avoiding alcohol will allow you to live an active, enjoyable life without unpleasant symptoms. It is an inherited disorder, so it was passed down to you from your parents. People of East Asian descent are more likely to have the inherited genetic mutation that causes alcohol intolerance, so they develop the condition at higher rates. Anyone can have the enzyme problem that causes alcohol intolerance.

What is an allergy to alcohol?

• For example, potential symptoms include red and itchy skin, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
• Unfortunately, if the body can’t effectively process and break down these histamines, it creates a buildup, which can cause these uncomfortable skin conditions, he explains.
• However, some people with Hodgkin lymphoma experience pain in their lymph nodes after consuming alcohol.
• Still Behavioral Health Group is available 24/7 to discuss your treatment options.

If alcohol brings on your asthma or hay fever, stay away from red wine, since this contains high levels of histamine. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to get tested for an alcohol allergy, read on. Although many people are aware of alcohol intolerance—which can cause nausea, headaches, and facial flushing—it’s also possible to develop a full-blown alcohol allergy later in life. True alcohol allergies, while rare, may trigger severe reactions like trouble breathing, hives, or even anaphylaxis. If you experience redness, swelling, nausea, or a headache after you drink, the problem may not be as simple as a hangover. You might have an allergy or intolerance to alcohol—or some of the ingredients used to make the spirit you’re drinking.

While a mild allergic reaction could be treated by over-the-counter antihistamines, according to Healthline, it is best to contact a doctor for guidance. They can range from mild to severe, according to Richmond, and may include runny nose, coughing, wheezing, itching or hives. More severe symptoms include swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; or lightheadedness. If you have this variant, it causes your body to produce less active ALDH2. It is not unusual to experience allergy-like symptoms following ingestion of alcohol.

Avoid alcohol if you have an allergy to grains or other foods.

The most common symptom of a whiskey allergy is skin reactions such as hives, flushing, and a rash. However, severe allergic reactions to whiskey can cause anaphylaxis, which can cause difficulty breathing and swelling of the face. Other symptoms that could signal an allergic reaction include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and headaches. If you have allergies to liquor, you might get red flushes on your face, neck, chest, or arms when you drink. Others get hives, which are red, itchy bumps that appear across your skin. While not as common, some people with asthma or hay fever also find that alcohol can trigger their condition.

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.

You might also react to certain alcoholic beverages if you have a histamine or sulfites intolerance. In very rare cases, reactions to alcohol may be a sign of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Alcohol allergy typically involves an immune system response, leading to symptoms like hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing. In contrast, alcohol intolerance, often due to enzyme deficiencies, usually causes symptoms like facial flushing, nausea, and headache. The physical exam is another crucial step in the diagnostic process.

You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment. If in doubt, ask your allergy specialist for advice about the types of alcoholic beverages you can or cannot drink. There is little evidence that distilled spirits made from corn, including bourbon, pose a risk to people with corn allergies or intolerance.

These calls are offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Get professional help from an addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. Access videos and webinars delivered by key experts in the field of allergy. Get detailed information on whole allergens and allergen components. Ask your doctor for more information about your diagnosis and treatment options.

Learn the signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for and why certain drinks might affect you more than others. 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 hard cider. Distilling a drink usually removes any naturally occurring yeast or yeast by-products from the liquid. Because of this, distilled spirits are generally safe for people with yeast allergies. Depending on whether a person has an alcohol allergy or intolerance, they may need to avoid alcohol entirely.

Unlike alcohol intolerance, where the body has difficulty processing alcohol, an alcohol allergy involves an immune system reaction to alcohol or one of its ingredients. Common allergens in alcoholic beverages include grains (like barley, wheat, and rye), yeast, hops, and even sulfites. Signs of an alcohol allergy include skin reactions like hives, difficulty breathing, swelling, nausea, or rapid heartbeat shortly after drinking. If you suspect an allergy, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis, which may involve allergy testing and reviewing your medical history.

Its symptoms are usually more painful and uncomfortable than intolerance symptoms, and in rare cases, if untreated, an alcohol allergy can become life-threatening. Dr. Adam Richmond, a regional medical director with The Recovery Village told Newsweek that there is a common misconception between an alcohol allergy and alcohol intolerance. While it’s easy to get confused between the two, they’re actually very different conditions.

Talk with a treatment provider today to begin your road to recovery. Depending on the allergy severity, a person may treat symptoms https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ with over-the-counter medications, such as oral antihistamines, if the reaction is mild. Hodgkin lymphoma is a blood cancer that can affect a person’s lymphatic system. People with this condition usually experience swelling in the lymph nodes in areas including the neck, armpits, or groin.

In some cases, reactions can be triggered by a true allergy to a grain such as corn, wheat or rye or to another substance in alcoholic beverages. Having a mild intolerance to alcohol or something else in alcoholic beverages might not require a trip to a doctor. Simply avoid alcohol, limit how much you drink or avoid certain types of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol intolerance can cause immediate, uncomfortable reactions after you drink alcohol. The most common signs and symptoms are stuffy nose and skin flushing. If you’re experiencing an allergic reaction to whiskey, the best way to diagnose it is to visit a doctor for an allergy test.