Combining alcohol with certain medications also can cause reactions. While not a true allergy in the traditional sense, alcohol intolerance is a real – and often challenging – condition for those who experience it. But by understanding its causes, symptoms, and management strategies, you can reduce or eliminate the negative effects of alcohol intolerance.
We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute what causes alcohol intolerance for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
What is Alcohol Allergy?
There are, however, other symptoms that may occur as delayed symptoms of alcohol intolerance. Unlike the immediate symptoms, these symptoms may or may not happen when alcohol is used. Alcohol intolerance has several side effects when someone drinks, like abdominal pain and nausea. Recognizing the difference between these and an alcohol allergy could save a life. If you or someone else experiences serious signs or complications of alcohol intolerance or another reaction to alcohol, seek medical help. In some cases, what seems to be alcohol intolerance can be a reaction to something in a drink.
It won’t go away, but by taking some precautions, you can avoid the symptoms and enjoy a healthy, active life. Studies have shown a link between alcohol and hypertension, or high blood pressure. Hypertension occurs when the pressure of blood against the artery walls becomes higher than normal.
Disease-Induced Alcohol Intolerance
Depending on the allergy severity, a person may treat symptoms with over-the-counter medications, such as oral antihistamines, if the reaction is mild. Alcohol detox isn’t easy and not everyone can do it on their own. That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals. In humans, this type of tolerance can be shown in the performance of well-practiced games played under the influence of alcohol. For example, an person who typically plays darts sober would likely experience impairment in performance if intoxicated. But if a person regularly drinks while playing darts, they may experience no alcohol-related impairment because of their learned tolerance.
A mild intolerance to alcohol or a particular ingredient in alcoholic drinks won’t usually require a trip to the doctor. If in any doubt, or if you are worried about symptoms, seek advice from your doctor. Alcohol produces its effects by suppressing the neurotransmitter system. But doing so in the long term makes the receptors to adapt themselves and stop responding to its effects.
Alcohol Intolerance And Allergy: Difference And Dangers
The amounts of histamine vary between wines, but generally, there is more histamine in red than white wine. Symptoms may occur within seconds or minutes of alcohol exposure and could trigger after exposure to even tiny amounts of the allergen. If you regularly played darts or pool at the pub prior to lockdown, a loss of learned tolerance could mean that you don’t play as well as you used to when you have a game after a few drinks. Tolerance can develop much more quickly if alcohol is always consumed in the same environment – for example, if you only drank at home during lockdown.
The reaction to sulfites may trigger asthmatic attacks as well as other conditions. Common sulfites found in wine and beer is sulfur dioxide and potassium bisulfate. Alcohol intolerance mechanism involves the deficit of a gene code that conditions the production of Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) enzyme. This enzyme is necessary for the digestive breakdown of alcohol into acetic acid for absorption in the body. The deficit of the gene code required to produce this enzyme is genetic and is the main cause for Asian alcohol allergy. While both conditions lead to unpleasant symptoms after using alcohol, the cause of these symptoms is very different.
Alcohol allergy symptoms can range from mild, such as an itchy mouth or eyes, to severe, including vomiting or anaphylaxis. Daily drinking can have serious consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term. Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention. This is because familiar “cues” – such as your home setting – are repeatedly paired with alcohol’s effects. This response counters alcohol’s impairing effects, and we may not feel as “intoxicated” as a result.
In addition to this, studies have identified a link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of certain cancers. If you continue to drink alcohol and suffer from alcohol intolerance, this is likely to cause liver damage. In an ideal world, you would abstain from consuming alcohol completely.