Some individuals experience allergy-like symptoms after ingestion of alcohol. Oftentimes, the reaction is very specific to a certain type of wine but oftentimes, all types of alcohol can trigger issues.
An actual allergy to alcohol involves the IgE antibody which is extremely rare, but there are some cases involving skin rash reactions. It is important to note that individuals with a true alcohol allergy can experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, severe rashes, abdominal cramps and collapse even after ingesting 1ml of pure alcohol.
Risk for anaphylaxis
It is vital to bear in mind that alcohol can heighten the risk for a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to other foods. Alcohol can worsen underlying conditions such as urticaria, asthma and rhinitis. Individuals who are highly allergic can experience wheezing, skin flushes and headaches.
Nevertheless, it is quite common that adverse reactions to alcohol are triggered by intolerance to alcohol or to the food on which the drink is based or other substances present in the beverage.
Possible causes
Intolerance can occur once the body lacks an enzyme required to properly digest and eliminate food or substances. In case the alcohol molecule could not be effectively dealt with by the body, it can cause unusual symptoms. Alcohol can also increase the permeability of the gut which allows more food molecules into the body. This is why reactions of individuals who are mildly sensitive might not react to the food alone but only once combined with alcohol.
Red wine seems to be the cause of most problems and then whisky, beer and other wines. In most cases, the cause of a reaction is not the alcohol but the chemicals – congeners which provide the drink its flavor, body and aroma. Just remember though that the reactions are seldom actual allergic reactions.
Histamine
This is present in several alcohol drinks, especially red wine which can cause headache, nasal symptoms, flushing, asthma or abdominal symptoms. Some individuals are highly intolerant of histamine due to the deficiency in the breakdown and elimination of histamine from the body.
Yeast
Yeast is also a possible cause of a true allergic reaction to alcoholic beverages. Nevertheless, studies reveal that there are only low levels of yeast allergens present in alcoholic beverages.
Additives
Certain additives such as sodium benzoate are known to instigate asthma and urticaria.
Sulphites/Sulphur dioxide
Sulphur dioxide is quite prevalent in home-brewed wines and beers as sodium metabisulphite. This is utilized in the cleaning of equipment and stays in high levels and the resulting brew.
Plant-derived allergens
The fruit, grain or flavor from which the drink is made can also be the cause of a true allergic reaction even though fruit and other plant-derived allergens are destroyed by processing. An unusual potential source of issues includes fungal spores (mold) from the cork of wine bottles.
Managing alcohol allergy
At the present, avoidance is the only way to control the symptoms that arise from alcohol allergy or intolerance. If you suspect that an individual is experiencing a reaction, note down the type of alcoholic beverage and whether or not the individual engaged in exercise.
If all alcoholic beverages trigger a reaction, it is likely an exaggerated response to the alcohol itself or an exacerbating effect on an underlying condition. If not, it is best to narrow the field down to a specific food or beverage combinations in order to avoid the culprits.