What Does an Alcohol Allergy Look Like?

What is an Alcohol Allergy?

An alcohol allergy causes a person to have a severe reaction when they consume alcohol. The allergy can be so severe that it results in anaphylactic shock. This is potentially fatal.

In most cases, what appears to be an allergy is intolerance. Alcohol intolerance causes discomfort but isn’t as serious as a true allergy.

True alcohol allergies are rare. It is possible to be allergic to a component in certain types of alcohol, such as:

• Wheat
• Barley
• Grapes

Alcohol Allergy Symptoms

Never ignore the symptoms of an allergic reaction to alcohol, even if they seem minor. An alcohol intolerance or allergy can develop at any time in a person’s life.

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Causes of Alcohol Allergy

The cause of an alcohol allergy is the same as any other type of allergy. Exposure to the allergen triggers the body’s immune system to overreact. An allergic reaction causes the body to view alcohol as a threat and produce antibodies to protect itself.

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Alcohol Allergy Diagnosis

Diagnosis of an alcohol allergy or intolerance requires an assessment from a medical professional. In addition to determining what type of alcohol triggers the allergic reaction, a doctor might also refer you to an allergist.

The most common test an allergist will administer is the skin prick test. This exposes the body to the suspected allergen. Whether or not an allergy is present is based on how the skin reacts to exposure.

Allergy testing must be performed by a medical professional. Exposure can trigger a potentially dangerous allergic reaction.

Treatment Options For Alcohol Allergy and Intolerance

The only treatment available for a true alcohol allergy is avoiding alcohol. Even a small amount can trigger a reaction. If you have an alcohol allergy, avoid any food or drink with traces of alcohol.

If the allergy is linked to a particular alcohol component, treatment could be as simple as choosing a different drink.

For mild symptoms, an over-the-counter (OTC) oral antihistamine could be enough to prevent symptoms. If drinking triggers digestive distress, OTC medications are also helpful.

The best treatment for mild to moderate alcohol intolerance is to avoid over-drinking. People should also take medication to ease any symptoms that occur.

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Alcohol Allergy vs. Alcohol Intolerance

An allergy causes the immune system to overreact. On the other hand, intolerance means the digestive system doesn’t process alcohol as it should.

If you have an alcohol allergy, you must avoid alcohol entirely. In rare instances, Hodgkin’s lymphoma can cause symptoms similar to an alcohol allergy or intolerance.

What Causes Alcohol Intolerance?

The most common cause of alcohol intolerance is a condition known as ALDH2 deficiency. This is caused by a genetic problem where your body does not produce enough enzymes to consume alcohol properly.

People with ALDH2 deficiency tend to experience the following symptoms when they drink alcohol:

• Reddening and/or warming of the face
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Rapid heartbeat

People of Asian descent tend to struggle with ALDH2 deficiency more than other people.

Other Causes of Alcohol Intolerance

In some cases, alcohol intolerance is caused by histamine intolerance or sulfite intolerance. Added preservatives tend to worsen the effects of wine and other types of alcohol.

If someone has histamine intolerance, their body does not produce enough of an enzyme called diamine oxidase (DAO). Their body cannot break down histamine.

This triggers a reaction to alcohol which causes the following symptoms:²

• Red, itchy skin
• Abdominal pain
• Nasal congestion
• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhea

On the other hand, a sulfite intolerance causes a reaction to the sulfites in certain alcoholic drinks. Sulfites are a compound added to beer and wine to prevent yeast overgrowth.

Can You Suddenly Develop Alcohol Intolerance? 

Even after years of drinking alcohol without experiencing any problems, you can still develop an intolerance. This can be a serious problem for anyone with an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

If the body determines that alcohol threatens your health, it will launch an immune system response that triggers symptoms. Symptoms will worsen over time if the intolerance is ignored.

It’s best to eliminate alcohol or cut back as much as possible. If you are going to drink, anticipate the reactions and treat the symptoms on a case-by-case basis.

Alcohol intolerance is not as serious as an allergic reaction and won't cause severe reactions. However, it can be very unpleasant and cause secondary complications if ignored.

Physical Health Effects of Alcohol

Moderate alcohol consumption is generally safe, depending on your health and tolerance. However, frequent drinking can lead to various health effects.

Excessive alcohol use, or binge drinking, can affect your health in many ways, including:

Alcohol and the Liver

Consuming too much alcohol for an extended period contributes to three types of liver disease: steatosis (fatty liver), cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatitis.

These diseases disrupt liver function, severely damaging the body over time. Women have a higher risk of developing alcohol-induced liver injuries than men.

Alcohol and the Heart

Directly after drinking alcohol, your heart rate and blood pressure rise. Once the substance is out of your system, your vital signs return to normal.

However, excessive alcohol consumption can:

• Result in an irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure
• Weaken heart muscle
• Thin your blood
• Increase the risk of a heart attack, an enlarged heart, heart failure, stroke, and death

Alcohol and the Pancreas

Drinking alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances. This can result in pancreatitis (inflammation and swelling of the pancreas).

Alcohol and the Digestive System

Alcohol directly aggravates your gastrointestinal tract (digestive system). This is because your digestive system is the first exposure site after alcohol ingestion.

Alcohol makes your stomach produce extra acid, leading to inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis). Diarrhea, vomiting, heartburn, ulcers, and stomach pain after drinking are common side effects.

Alcohol and Cancer Risk

Regularly drinking alcohol, especially heavy drinking, increases your risk of developing certain cancers, including:

• Oral cancer
• Larynx cancer (voice box)
• Esophageal cancer
• Colon cancer
• Liver cancer
• Breast cancer (among women)

Alcohol and the Reproductive System

Women who regularly consume alcohol have a greater risk of infertility and decreased menstruation. Drinking during pregnancy can also lead to developmental issues in babies, including:

• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)
• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Physical, mental, or intellectual disabilities

Similarly, men who binge drink are more likely to develop erectile dysfunction than men who don't.

Alcohol and the Skeletal System

Alcohol can negatively affect the muscular and skeletal systems by thinning the bones over time. This increases the risk of falls, fractures, muscle weakness, cramping, and atrophy.

Alcohol and Immunity

Alcohol lowers your immune system. This makes it more difficult for your body to fight off infections, including the common cold and flu, as well as pneumonia and tuberculosis.

How Alcohol Affects Your Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS)

Heavy alcohol use negatively impacts reasoning, memory, and overall brain function. The hippocampus, which aids in learning and stores memories, can be particularly vulnerable to alcohol.

According to the University College London’s Whitehall II study recording 30 years of data from 1985 to 2015, even moderate drinking over extended periods can lead to brain shrinkage.¹⁰ Regularly drinking four or more alcoholic drinks daily increases your risk of hippocampal shrinkage by almost six times compared to non-drinkers.

This shrinking is because alcohol dehydrates tissues. Moreover, consistent dehydration can cause lasting damage to these sensitive areas.

Effects on Key Brain Regions and Associated Side Effects

Consistent alcohol consumption primarily affects the prefrontal cerebral cortex and cerebellum. The prefrontal cortex is critical in planning and decision-making. The cerebellum is responsible for balance and motor function.

When alcohol impairs these brain regions, it can result in various side effects like:

• Memory problems
• Poor coordination
• Reduced cognitive performance
• Vision issues
• Difficulty concentrating
• Low self-worth and confidence
• Mood swings
• Stress and anxiety
• Blackouts

Determinants of Alcohol's Impact on the Brain

Multiple factors influence the severity of alcohol's adverse effects on the brain, including:

• Frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption
• Genetics, family history, and education level
• Age and gender
• Overall health status
• The age at which you began drinking alcohol
• Risks of prenatal alcohol exposure

The Biochemical Mechanism of Alcohol

The liver metabolizes alcohol. When you drink it, your stomach and small intestine absorb it into the bloodstream.

From there, enzymes in your liver break down about 95 percent of the alcohol you consume. Your body eliminates the remaining five percent through breath, sweat, or urine.

Alcohol's Impact on Neurotransmitters

While the liver breaks down alcohol, it also affects essential neurotransmitters in the brain. These chemicals include GABA, dopamine, and serotonin.

• GABA: Alcohol increases the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect on the brain. This is one reason why alcohol can make you feel relaxed or sedated.
• Dopamine: Alcohol consumption increases the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This is why alcohol can initially make you feel happy or euphoric.
• Serotonin: Alcohol inhibits the production and release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and pain sensation. This can lead to increased feelings of depression or anxiety.

The Role of Enzymes in Alcohol Metabolism

The primary enzyme involved in alcohol metabolism is the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). This enzyme converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct.

Another enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), converts acetaldehyde into acetate. This substance is less toxic. Your body also safely eliminates it from its system.

However, some people have genetic variations that affect the activity of these enzymes. These variations can determine how quickly or slowly you metabolize alcohol, making you more or less susceptible to its effects.

Mental Health Effects of Alcohol

Excessive alcohol use also leads to mental health conditions. A drinking-related condition is also known as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder.

These include:

• Depressive disorders: The most typical co-occurring psychiatric disease among people who misuse alcohol is major depressive disorder.¹³ Depression comes in many forms, including clinical depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar disorders. The effects of alcohol come in waves throughout life or can be long-term.
• Anxiety disorders: These conditions lead to constant worrying about daily situations. Alcohol-induced anxiety is separate from an independent anxiety disorder but is often hard to differentiate.
• Other mood disorders: These include social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorder, which have an increased co-occurrence with alcohol dependence.
• Increased risk of self-harm: This occurrence is high among alcoholics due to intoxication and lack of inhibition. Self-inflicted injuries, such as cutting or attempted suicide, are common among people with dual diagnoses.

Other Ways Alcohol Can Affect Your Life

Besides severely affecting your physical and mental health, alcohol can also lead to social and legal problems.

Learn more about how alcohol consumption can impact your life by reading the articles below:

Underage Drinking

Underage drinking can lead to several serious health issues. Teenagers’ brains are still developing, which makes them more susceptible to adverse physical and mental health effects.

Hangovers

Hangovers can make you feel horrible the day after drinking. However, for more frequent alcohol users, hangovers can seriously affect the quality of your life and lead to mental, physical, social, and interpersonal issues.

Physical Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol has dangerous effects on your physical health. Alcohol consumption increases your risk of injuries, liver disease, heart disease, gastrointestinal issues, cancer, and more.

Psychological Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol consumption also harms your mental health. Heavy alcohol use impairs brain functions, such as memory and reasoning. Scientists have linked frequent alcohol use to depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and self-harm (e.g., suicide attempts and cutting).

Insomnia and Alcohol Addiction

An estimated 20 percent of adults in the U.S. drink alcohol to help them fall asleep. However, alcohol use has a direct, adverse effect on a person’s sleep quality. Alcohol addiction can lead to several long-term sleep problems, including insomnia.

Drunk Driving and DUIs

Over 10,000 people die from drunk driving accidents every year.¹⁴ Drunk driving puts everyone on the road in danger. A Driving under the influence (DUI) offense may cause you to lose your license, pay a hefty fine, or end up in jail.

What is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD), or alcohol addiction or alcoholism, is a chronic relapsing brain disease. It develops when you misuse alcohol despite knowing its adverse effects.

AUD affects the brain's operations. Therefore, it causes symptoms like compulsive behavior and intense cravings.

What are the Symptoms of AUD?

Common symptoms of alcohol use disorder include:

• Inability to limit alcohol consumption
• Failed attempts to reduce or stop alcohol consumption
• Spending a significant amount of time drinking or recovering from drinking
• Cravings for alcohol
• Neglecting responsibilities and obligations
• Continuing to drink alcohol despite physical, emotional, or social harm
• Using alcohol in unsafe situations, such as when driving
• Neglecting social activities and hobbies
• Developing alcohol tolerance
• Experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, such as sweating, tremors, and nausea

Treatment and Rehabilitation for Alcohol Dependency

Alcohol dependency is a chronic disease that requires professional treatment and ongoing support. Some common methods used to treat alcoholism include:

Detoxification

Detoxification, or detox for short, is removing alcohol from your system while managing withdrawal symptoms. This typically takes place in a medically supervised facility.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs

Inpatient rehabilitation programs provide intensive therapy and support for people struggling with alcohol addiction or substance abuse. You'll live in a specialized facility and receive 24/7 care.

This approach allows you to focus solely on your recovery without outside distractions. Moreover, you'll have access to therapy, support groups, and medical care during your stay.

Outpatient Rehabilitation Programs

Outpatient rehabilitation programs offer similar treatments as inpatient rehab. However, it allows you to continue living at home.

You'll regularly attend therapy sessions and support group meetings while managing your daily responsibilities. This option may be more suitable for those with mild AUD or those who can't leave their obligations for extended periods.

Support Groups

Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), provide a community of people going through similar struggles. These groups offer emotional support, accountability, and guidance in maintaining sobriety.

Strategies for Responsible Drinking

You can lower your risk of developing an addiction to alcohol by practicing responsible drinking. Here are a few strategies you can use to drink responsibly:

1. Set limits and stick to them.
2. Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic beverages.
3. Eat before and while drinking.
4. Pace yourself and sip your drink slowly.
5. Avoid binge or excessive drinking by consuming less than four drinks for women and five for men daily.
6. Avoid drinking when you are feeling stressed or sad.
7. Avoid drinking to cope with problems, emotions, or stressors.
8. Monitor your alcohol consumption and cut back if necessary.
9. Seek help if you can't control your drinking habits.

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