When your hangover may be something more
Common food allergies include items like peanuts, milk, eggs, and shellfish, but what about alcohol?
“Alcohol intolerance is a common problem, but many people don’t initially know they’re allergic to alcohol because the symptoms are similar to those of a hangover,” says Dr. Jacqueline Ivey-Brown, an internal medicine physician with Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill.
According to Dr. Ivey-Brown, symptoms of alcohol intolerance include:
- Flushed face
- Itchy bumps or hives
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Heavy breathing or difficulty breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Low blood pressure
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Increased heart rate
“Most people will experience these symptoms after a couple of drinks or after a few hours of drinking,” says Dr. Ivey-Brown. “However, some might experience these symptoms after only a few sips of alcohol.”
Dr. Ivey-Brown explains that alcohol intolerance can be inherited, but more frequently is a result of your body being unable to break down the toxins found in alcohol because of an enzyme deficiency.
Furthermore, alcohol often contains ingredients such as wheat or grain, yeast, sulfites and other items that can cause allergic reactions. In this case, you wouldn’t be considered alcohol intolerant, but it would be important to know which ingredients to look out for when consuming specific types of alcohol.
“If you think you’re suffering from alcohol intolerance, you should visit your primary care physician, who can help pinpoint if this may be the case,” says Dr. Ivey-Brown.
However, if it turns out you are alcohol intolerant, you might be surprised that there’s very little you can do.
“For minor alcohol intolerance or a small reaction, over-the-counter prescriptions may be available, but if you have severe reactions to alcohol, then the only solution, like many food allergies, is to avoid it,” says Dr. Ivey-Brown.
Wondering if you may be alcohol intolerant, but don’t have a primary care physician? Let us help you find one. If you live in Illinois, click here. For Wisconsin, click here.
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health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.
I was having bizarre symptoms under specific driving situations or locations, even confused ER docs. Mentioned to an allergist who proved this to be an allergy to alcohol, formaldehyde, and related substances. Probably acquired in college bio & chem labs. Apparently these can be found in exhaust fumes from cars, trucks, planes, sometimes asphalt paving, and hospital wards. Early symptoms tell me to leave the area before shock sets in. As to drinking, one serving may be tolerable, may be toxic. Some don’t believe it. My mom was one.
Is alcohol intolerance genetic? Both my first cousin and myself are allergic/intolerant to even small amounts. This is especially true when it comes to beer and wines.