Allergic reaction to alcohol
Twice now, I've had a bad reaction to alcohol and I'm not sure what component caused it.
The first time, I drank just a few sips of champagne (don't remember the label) and about 10 minutes later, I felt my face get very hot, and I turned red as a beet. I mean, flaming red, all over my face. It took about 1/2 hour to cool down.
The second time, I drank a few sips of something called "Toxic Waste" (at a theme party). The drink was made up of Midori, vodka and Mountain Dew, that's all. Same thing happened--flaming heat on my face, beet red, cooling down after 1/2 hour.
Luckily, both times I was able to slip away without being noticed, as I would have been mortified to stand around looking like a lobster.
So does anyone have an idea what could have caused this kind of reaction? I've drunk more than one brand of champagne without any problem; ditto, vodka. Never had Midori though. Any thoughts are much appreciated!
reallyrednails
Jun 08, 2006 06:14PM
I don't know if it's technically an allergy or some other sort of hypersensitivity, but I do know someone who developed the same syndrome you seem to be experiencing. I don't know exactly how old she was when it happened, but she was well into adulthood and had been a regular (not heavy, just regular) drinker before that with no ill effects. Unfortunately, it seems to be permanent, at least in her case. I don't know if that's typical, but the bottom line is that it's not some sort of unheard-of bizarreness and probably has nothing to do with the Midori itself (although the stuff is so sickly sweet, it might cause a reflex gag reaction by itself.;) )
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And actually, now that I think of it, I once knew yet another person who had the same problem, also developed well into adulthood (that poor guy had a lovingly amassed, fairly well-stocked wine cellar to dispose of after it came upon him.)
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i have the same problem and i've always chalked it up to the fact that i'm asian. genetically, asians don't process alcohol that well and often have allergic reactions even from just drinking a little bit. usually i'll have half a glass of wine and start to turn red (the asian glow!), but not be anywhere close to being drunk or buzzed. it's been getting worse as i've gotten older, so maybe you've always had a little bit of an alcohol allergy, but now the symptoms are showing up more as the years go by? just a theory...
there are certain kinds of alcohol that make me more red like crappy wine (red or white), yeasty champagnes/sparkling wines (good or crappy), heineken (specifically, micro-brews (aka "hippy beer"), and cheap/well liquor. things that don't affect me as bad are top-shelf liquors and bud light (go figure).
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Half of Asians, but not only Asians, have a genetic variation of the enzyme (dehydrogenase) used to process alcohol that causes them to metabolize alcohol too quickly into acetaldehyde -- which causes the redness and flushing as it builds up in the body.
But there's a step two that makes the acetaldehyde (and the redness and flushing) hang around longer. The variant enzyme also causes the too-slow metabolism of acetaldehyde into the benign acetic acid. So alcohol metabolism by folks with that variant enzyme is both too fast -- in its conversion of alcohol to acetaldehyde -- and too slow -- in its conversion of acetaldehyde into acetic acid.
I've heard from a number of Asian wine-drinking friends that after they drank a very small amount of alcohol (a few sips of wine or beer) regularly, their bodies somehow learned to metabolize alcohol normally, with no redness or flushing. Of course, this is anecdotal info and not scientifically valid. But it's curious.
An allergy to alcohol is very uncommon. The basic thing to remember is that an allergy is a reaction to a protein, and you don't find much of that in alcohol. Most likely, if there is an allergy, it's to a substance IN the beer or wine to which one may be allergic: wheat, corn, yeast, hops, barley, and the egg or seafood proteins that are used to "fine" [filter] and clarify wine.
Sulfites are not the culprit. Lots of new research says sulfites are not the cause of any wine or beer reaction, unless you already suffer from asthma or have the rare sulfite oxidase deficiency. Lots more info on CH if you do a search.
Histamines have been ruled out as well in recent medical studies. Tyramines, found in wine and other beverages containing alcohol, can cause a hypertensive reaction that includes headaches, hyperventilation and fast heartbeat. Especially if the tyramine-containing beverage is consumed with tyramine-laden foods, like cheese, mushrooms, salami, cured meats, and so on.
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this happened to me in college an the doctor told me that certain wines and shell fish combine to cause this reaction. several years later it occured again and the doctor told me it might be a reaction to sulfites in the wine.
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So interesting, this has happened to me as well! One night after some champagne and an appetizer with Caviar or roe of some sort I ended up spending a "wonderful" evening at Mt. Sinai. My alergist did numerous blood tests and we still have not figured out what it was I am allergic to. Then a couple years later, after white wine and swordfish, the same thing happened. I don't get uniformly red though, I do break out in hives and feel like I can't breath and my throat is closong!
This only happens on occasion and my Dr. didn't mention the combo could cause this. Though I suspected as much.
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I've experienced this also. It started when I was in my early 30s, a few years ago. It comes and goes -- sometimes it will happen every time I drink, other times periodically, and sometimes never.
Perhaps it is more likely to happen when I'm stressed, or drink particular types of alcohol, or in combination with something else. I don't know. I haven't noticed anything.
I've talked to my dermatologist about it because I thought it was a reaction to a medication I was taking. He said it wasn't related. He may have said it was related to rosasea-I don't recall. In any case, he said it is harmless (other than the mild discomfort it causes). Naturally, don't take our advice -- if you are at all concerned, talk to a dermotologist.
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We have a good friend who can not drink red wine without getting "red" herself. No problem whatsoever with white wine or hard alcohol. I've been told it could be one's "histameans (phonetic spelling)" that cause this problem since there are some in red wines.
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many people are allergic to wines and get the flushing, with a range of other symptoms-- the more you drink the worse it will be also may react to some types of wines but not seriously to others. some folks can't drink fermented beverages-- beers, wines because of allergies, but they are fine with distilled liquors (hard liquor). the wine allergies can develop later in life due to genetics or lifestyle, age or other factors. i'd stop drinking wines and stick to 1 or 2 mixed drinks (meaning only one type of liquor used, with one mixer, and ice) and avoid brightly colored party wapatoowee that you have no idea what it contains. the flushing is one of the mildest symptoms of the allergy and it gets more unpleasant. . .
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It used to happen to my wife all the time. Red wine, Champagne, A crazy frozen drink etc. It would randomly happen and it would soon go away.. It hasn't happened since she gave birth almost 3 yrs ago..Go figure.
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Funny you mention child birth as a starting or stopping point - my wife could drink fine up until the birth of our first child 14 years ago . Since then , one or 2 sips and its red face and tingly sensations.
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Again, it is interesting that you say that. I had an allergic reaction twice to alcohol...see above. However, when I was pregnant and therefore not drinking and was extremely careful about what fish I was eating I had no reactions. The swordfish incident happened about 2 months post partum, which was also one of the first nights I had swordfish and probably more than my fair share of wine.
Also incidentaly, my mom says she is allergic to alcohol, and we were discussing this during dinner. A dinner of crab cakes and white wine! However tonight I seem fine.
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I would look into the roseaca issue.
Fairly common among people of German, Dutch, Irish, and some other nationalities. Basically, people with what is refered to as "peaches and cream complexions". If that doesn't apply, read no more.
It is rarely addressed, cause people just think it is blushing, which it is. Uncontolled blushing. It does need to be treated, at least to the extent it can be. It can progress in some cases to where blood vessels rupture in your face, causing permanent scaring.
There are many triggers. Most commonly stress, some alcohols, and some foods.
It is also the main cause of what is refered to as "adult acne".
If any of this fits, see a dermatologist.
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I have rosacea and get redder and redder as I drink. Spicy foods, alcohol, stress, and warm temperatures will cause the "blushing". You should be checked out by a doctor. It can do major damage to your skin and inside your nose. It is treatable with a daily cream.
I still eat and drink whatever I want, and I still get red as a beet.
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Thanks for all the answers. Funny thing is, this happened so randomly, only twice, and 2 different drinks so I couldn't figure out the connection. Of course it had to happen while dealing with clients! I've had both champagne and other alcohol since and no reaction.
Thanks again.
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I have the same problem as you. Also started in my 30's. Now I don't drink at all. I few sips and I'm red as a beet, face and neck. Neck swells and feet also swell and begin to itch horribly. I attest to being allergic to the tannins. This is from wine and champagne not necessarily from grain alcohols. I do have terrible allergiy to some flowers and plants too. Can't drink some chinese herbal teas for the same reason. The Rosacea can also an issue. :( KQ
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Happens to me on occassion also - especially if I drink my first drink/beer too fast but sometimes there is no reason. Its been happening to me on and off since I was in my early 20's. Sometimes it can be severe enough that I have trouble breathing. Taking a break and waiting until it subsides is the only thing that will make it go away.
I thought this article was pretty informative (see link below):
Link: http://www.allergy.org.au/aer/infobul...
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A friend of mine has the same problem when drinking alcohol. It is often referred to as "Asian blush or flush" (although non-Asians have the same reaction). The solution she swears by is to take Pepcid or another H2 blocker before drinking. Check out the link below for more info.
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Fl...
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WARNING! I don't have any comment on the effectiveness of preventing blushing with this (no experience), but BE CAREFUL about which H2 blocker you choose. Pepcid would be fine, but Tagamet (cimetidine) and Zantac (ranitidine) are known to inhibit gastric alcohol dehydrogenase (an enzyme in your stomach that breaks down some of the alcohol you consume), meaning you could get a little more PUNCH out of the drinks than you expect. There's plenty of debate about the extent of the effect, but just be aware of it if you give this a try.
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Are you sure this works taking Pepcid becasue this happens to my face to and it is real annoying my whole chest even gets red the only thing that helps me not get red is to take painkillers when I drink or something else to not make my face red so please let me no if this really works because I would like to stop doing that.
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I'd say try it. It can't really hurt. A lot of alcohol has histamines, and an antihistimine would work if that is what is causing your reaction.
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Same exact thing happens to me...with no rhyme or reason. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Over the years, I've linked it (I think) to hormones. Doesn't have anything to do with what alcohol is it I'm drinking.
If you figure it out...let me know!!! :)
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I had my first "Red-Face" attack in months last night. My face was on fire, and the bright red blotches that I usually get on my chest and neck spread to my arms and legs, I also had shortness of breath. Like you, there is no rhyme or reason. I've experienced it with wine, good vodka, good beer, margaritas- and I've had dozens of times I've drank those things with no reaction at all. Like many others, it started in my 30's and it sounds a lot like the Asian drinking thing- but I'm not Asian.
Like you, I have noticed I am more succeptible to it at certains times of the month. Hormones can have a powerful affect in our bodies.
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Are you within 10 years of menopause? I know it's a very personal question but a pertinent one, just the same. It first happened to me when I was about 35, and continued on and off for about 10 years. I never knew when it would hit so I had to be careful. Luckily, it is now a thing of the past!!
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Wow. This happens to me, occasionally, and exactly as described. It first started in my mid-30s (I'm not female, btw) about ten years ago -- and I've never really been able to associate it clearly with any factor other than alcohol. It seems to happen more often on an empty stomach, and sometimes I've thought nuts or other bar food were associated with it. But really, it is random, and the drinks and/or food that set it off will not do so on other occasions.
My doctor said it was a clear allergic reaction, but thought it peculiar that the reaction wasn't consistent each time. Looking at the info above, roseaca doesn't quite fit the symptoms, though the "Asian flush" is quite close. I'm also not Asian, but don't suppose that really matters.
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this happens to a friend of mine. she takes benadryl prior to drinking and she doesn't change color anymore.
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My doctor suggested carrying benadryl so that if the reaction got severe enough to begin to close the windpipe I could take it -- but the combination of alcohol and benadryl can be pretty potent and should be watched.
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My mother gets the same reaction. She only drinks wine, champagne, or an occasional margarita. Now that you mention it, I don't think that the margaritas give her this reaction. The level of redness and hot skin can vary. She's only an occasional drinker so she's not planning on stopping anytime soon. Your case may be more severe...not sure.
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I am 25 and I experience the following symptoms when I drink any sort of alcoholic beverage. Usually happens after about the 4th or 5th drink, and is more likely to happen even sooner on the 2nd night of drinking: Flushing in my cheeks and forehead, shortness of breath, odd "stomachy" taste in my mouth that comes up from my stomach. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms together? First I get the shortness of breath, then the taste, then the flushing. It has put an end to many good nights! I am going to try the Pepcid trick, and see if it resovles the problem this weekend.
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Hi,i get the exact same symptons as you,i also have a touch of asthma i have to take my inhaler when i get shortness of breath,i usually get these symptoms when i drink spirits and sometimes beer did you find any cures yet.
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My wife has the same exact reactions to alcohol as you do . She takes just one or two sips and she turns beet red and has a tingly or hot sensation in a sort of mask pattern across her face. After a 1/2 hour or so it slowly goes away. It started about the time she had our first child -14 yrs ago. Before that she had no problems . Not that it would tie in with this problem but she also has allergic reactions to honeydew melon,her lips swell up and feel numb or tingly. We've been searching for an answer for a long time.
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In general when I'm in Europe or in China alcohol doesn't bother me as much as in the USA, where as long as i can remembered, alcohol consumption always made me turn red from the face down to my neck, and sometimes my breathing becomes a bit heavy.
There seems to be no logic, except that emotional/stress level always affects adversely. Other than that, most recent couple of years I didn't drink much while in the US. I trained and worked out a lot. Then at a wedding in the US i had some red wine. Not much reaction. At the same wedding, later in the evening, I had two shots of tequilla back to back, still nothing. I mean this was the quick-empyting, bottoms up kind of shots. Nothing, except slight warmth in the stomach.
A month after that, I was in China, eating lamb hot pot with a group of people. We drank the Chinese Tsing Dao (which tasted better in China) steadily, along with the Russian liquor made of red hot pepper! I must have had 4 or 5 shots of that on top of the beer...A slight warmth and rosy color to my cheeks only, no dizziness at all.
Is it really possible that the sulfite is the culprit? Does alcohol overseas not contain sulfite? Or is it mindfulness when drinking, i.e. not rushing the drink, timing it out with food...etc. that's making the difference? Or a combination of both?
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I don't think sulphites is the answer - she only slightly sips a Budweiser and it starts . I told her about the Pepcid AC taken one hour before drinking working for others on here . We'll see . We're only occasional social drinkers so its not likely we'll be testing it out any time soon.
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Hi Again,
It has been about 2 months since my last post, and the Pepcid AC trick seems to work fairly well. I usually take 10 to 20 mg an hour before drinking, and about a half hour after eating dinner. It works very well if I have not had a drink for a few days..but works less effectively if I drank the night before. On new years eve I got the symptoms toward the end of the night, and believe that it was because I was eating and drinking and the same time. The reaction seems to stay away as long as I do not eat while I drink. From what I hear, our bodies can become immune to the Pepcid AC, and therefore we will have to take more and more of it..which is not good. Even when I take 2 during an evening, my stomach feels off the next day. Not sure what the long term solution is to this, but I have heard that the vitamine NAC can help to prevent the build up of the enzyme Acetaldehyde that causes the symptoms, along with carrot juice. It is worth a try.
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I am so happy I found this board! I have been experiencing the red "mask" reaction to alcohol the last three times I've had a drink. I've never experienced the reaction before. I am in my mid 40's. I've reacted from margaritas, white wine and Joe's Hard Lemonade. I am on Zyrtek for a different allergy around my eyes (unknown, as of yet, but probably to a cosmetic or other substance) and thought it was from the alcohol and Zyrtek interaction and am disappointed it may be something I may go through forever. I react after less than 1/4 glass of a drink. I start to feel very hot around my eyes, like I am sunburned, then I feel tingling and throbbing around my eyes. Luckily, because of my other allergy, I carry Benadryl with me all the time. I usually pop the Benadryl and the symptoms go away within a half an hour, but I've always completely stopped drinking any more of my drink once the reaction starts and I take the Benadryl. I am anxious to try the Pepcid hint and may start taking a Benadryl before I drink, or I may just have to quit having a drink--which is maybe one or twice every two weeks. Thanks for all your hints!
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Hey
It's funny you should say that because I can drink several glasses of wine or beer (doesn't matter what colour wine) and not go red at all (sometimes a little flushed) but if I eat - say at a dinner party - it is then I go blotchy and hot faced, this is then followed by a very red face. I can actually feel it coming on? Whereas, if I only eat a few nibbles, all is ok. I DO think it is related to eating dairy products whilst drinking alcohol, as I have been noticing it more if I eat say a pizza or a pudding? It is sooo frustrating. Just last week I ate a thai (spicy) and my nose even blocked up?
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Okay, I haven't drank since my three incidents, but I have a bad cold and last night took Nyquil, and quess what? Yup, Nyquil has alcohol in it and I got the lovely red mask from that little amount! It wasn't as bad as the other episodes, but very noticeable. I take Zyrtec at night, so that zapped it. I haven't tried Pepcid yet, but will soon........
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This happens to me randomly and infrequently. The first time it was red wine, but white wine and mixed drinks do the same thing to me on occasion.
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How about hiccupping? This happens to my neighbor, and I thought it was just a joke form the 1930s-40s?
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Hi there,
I well be 31 this year and to this day i still can not drink, any wine's(red's,white.bubbly) spirit's, Rum's or Vodka's! I first realized i had an allergic reaction to alcohol when i was at a wedding (many year's ago)and just touched my lip's to a wine glass, as you would at wedding's to have a small taste..it was just enought to touch my lip's and with that My face had become swollen, very very hot, red, blotchy, and i felt as if my heart were going to jump out of my chest( i think my blood pressue when mad that time). So now at the age of 31 I still can not touch wine's or anything else that i have noted above, beer's arent too bad, still getting a little red and hot but nothing as extreme as the Liquor and wine's. I did mention it too my dentist at one time when he asked if i were allergic to anything, i told him about the wine situation and he said that it was the "Sulfites" that i had the reaction too, it wasnt the actual alcohol it was that one ingrediant...so im wondering if it is that, and not the actual drinking of it?????Im glad all the same it's just not me that get's like this if and when having a social drink , it's soo shameful, to have a bright face that takes forever too cool down.....
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My mother is extrememly allergic to sulfites, but champagne doesn't bother her, I understand that it's ingested through the mouth and not the stomach and that makes the difference for some reason. She also used to drink Bully Hill wine from upstate NY but I think they're long gone. No sulfites, plus a really cool back story.
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I'm so glad someone has added vodka to the list of alcohol offences. I get the same reaction with fish but they said the sulphites have to be rreeeeally high for it to register on a blood test. I'm so glad that I'm just a party girl with rosie whatever and not scoricis of the liver. How can we combat these sulphates? I've tryed piriton but sometimes this can have a very nasty reaction with booze. I have all sorts of skin troubles does everyone else or is it only with drink? My skin troubles include ecsema and psiorisis only mildly but severe on my hands after a night on the lash. Love to hear a sulphate cure as I have been told I was having panick attacks when perfectly happily because I couldn't breathe etc. I knew they were wrong cheers guys
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My hubby gets a lovely splotchy neck and face after drinking any white lspirits like vodka or gin. He also gets very mouthy (more than usual) I think it is a reaction to the white spirits but its not something that seems to bother him. My sister is very allergic to champagne and gets very red and her face will actually swell. Ruined her honeymoon night.
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My first suggestion is to ask your doctor about it. It sounds a little scary and there might be some kind of medical explanation that will make sense. I have a friend who is Japanese and cannot drink at all because she lacks a particular enzyme needed to metabolize alcohol--she describes reactions that are similar to what you shared here (lots of people of Asian descent are prone to this, from what I understand). While it is good to know others experience similar symptoms, I think you should talk to someone who might know more about how we process alcohol, like a doctor. I'd hate to think you could not drink at all--maybe there are certain kinds of beverages that precipitate this kind of reaction in you that would be good to know about.
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Hi there - months after you posted this comment about your friend lacking the enzyme need to break down alcohol but - interested in your friend's diagnosis. How can they diagnose that you have not got the enzymes - alcohol dehydrogenase?? More importantly can it be fixed?? I'm 40 and haven't been able to drink for 5 years now as I get violently, violently ill (vomitting, diarrheoa) for hours after even a very small drink of spirits, liquers, wine, champagne or beer. Am desperate to fix it as not drinking for the next 30 years is a most depressing thought!!! Help??
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This is in fact a problem with people from the Pacific rim, myself included. We tend to lack alcohol dehydrogenase which helps to metabolize alcohol. Needless to say that makes me a pretty cheap date...
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I have the same problem. It occurs only sometimes and seems to be more prevalent with wine, wine coolers, champagne, and other drinks with sugar. I am not diabetic or sugar-sensitive and have had these reactions periodically for the past 20 years (since I took my first sip of Champagne).
My face gets flushed to varying degrees. Sometimes it's moderate, other times it is frighteningly red. Then I get a strange burning/pain sensation in my torso, from my shoulders down to my abdomen. The only way I can describe it is that it feels like my cells are being squeezed. Usually I can tolerate it okay, but a couple of times it was so bad that I was on my hands and knees from the pain. It usually lasts 10-20 minutes, then goes away and does not return even if I continue to drink.
I should mention that I am not asian. I am caucasian of Polish/German ancestry. I have never had this reaction with beer. And again, it only happens sometimes (very unpredictable).
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Interesting that you mention sugar content- I've wondered if the this reaction is linked to the high sugar content alcohols. I do seem to get red more often with champagne or margaritas, but I've also gotten it with Belvedere and diet tonic.
Has anyone else noticed the sugar correlation?
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i am glad someone mention sugar content as well..i like to drink strwberry margaritas ans it doesnt happen rite away, but my face swells and so does my abdomen...this never happened until about a month month and a half ago...have had all sorts of bloodwork done bc swelling doesnt go away for long....no one can figure it out...
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i get this occasionally, usually really bad on my neck. its always quite embarassing in social situations. my husband has had this happen 3 times in 10 years- with a fair amount of drinking in those years- and it has gotten progressively worse each time. last time his face was really red and blotchy with raised blotches and his pulse was going abnormally fast. it really scared me. wish we could figure out how to avoid it! we'll try the pepcid.
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I've also been getting this flushing for a couple of years now and I am only 20. However, its changed recently in that I don't remember flushing anymore, although it still might happen but just not as intense as before. Instead, I will randomly wake up with small pimple sized red scars all over my face. It has only happened to me like 5 times, but enough for me to link it directly to alcohol, and probably eating food, especially cheese from pizza. Does anybody know what these scars are? they look like a small allergic reaction and they only stay for a day or two, but I still wish I didn't get them.
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I get this, normally on the second day of a boozing seshion, but randomly at other times. Starts with a difficulty in breathing, heart rate speeds up, then i will get the "red mask" effect