Alcohol Intolerance: Symptoms, vs Allergy, and More

What we understand as a ‘hangover’ is made up of a particular set of symptoms – usually a thumping headache, nausea, intense thirst, tiredness and brain fog. This is all happens as a result of drinking alcohol, or more specifically, the series of bodily processes it sets in motion. If you’re allergic to another ingredient contained in certain alcoholic products, switching to a different drink might be an option.

Complications of Alcohol Intolerance

• Using antihistamines to “mask” flushing can make it easier to drink more, while acetaldehyde is still present.
• The most common signs and symptoms of alcohol intolerance are stuffy nose and skin flushing.
• Dr Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy stresses that, if you ever have any of the allergy symptoms after drinking alcohol, you should call 999 without delay.
• Cirrhosis can cause permanent damage to the liver and increase your risk for liver failure and liver cancer.
• This means that they may inherit certain genes that affect their ability to metabolize alcohol properly.
• Metabolic problems such as insulin resistance or obesity can change how the liver manages alcohol as well.

If you are concerned about your symptoms, be sure to speak to a healthcare professional for guidance. If you experience alcohol intolerance, it is important to pay attention to your body’s signals and limit your alcohol intake accordingly. Some individuals may find that they are able to consume small amounts of alcohol without experiencing symptoms, while others may need to avoid alcohol altogether. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about alcohol intolerance or if you experience severe symptoms after consuming alcohol. However, people with alcohol intolerance often have a genetic variant that causes ALDH to work less effectively. As a result, acetaldehyde builds up in their body, leading to uncomfortable symptoms.

Tests

Metronidazole (Flagyl) and disulfiram (Antabuse) are the most common medications that cause this. This condition is primarily due to the body’s inability to metabolize or break down alcohol properly. Under normal conditions, alcohol is broken down into a chemical called acetaldehyde, which is then broken down further into acetate, which can be easily eliminated. In someone with alcohol intolerance, the enzyme that breaks down acetaldehyde doesn’t work correctly, leading to a buildup of acetaldehyde. This toxic by-product of alcohol metabolism quickly triggers a range of symptoms that can be both unpleasant and potentially harmful. The content, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website is for Alcohol Intolerance informational purposes only.

Is alcohol allergy treatable?

If you experience a mild allergic reaction, over-the-counter oral antihistamines may be enough to treat it. If you develop any signs of a severe reaction, you should receive one or more doses of epinephrine. It’s available in preloaded syringes, known as epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen). If your doctor prescribes an epinephrine auto-injector, you should carry it with you at all times. If you develop symptoms after drinking alcohol, make an appointment with your doctor. Depending on your symptoms, they might refer you to an allergist for testing and treatment.

People often call alcohol intolerance an alcohol allergy, and vice versa. People who have a true alcohol allergy should avoid drinking alcohol entirely. Some medications and gut conditions can make it harder for your body to break down histamines. Or you might not have enough diamine oxidase (DAO), the protein that is mainly responsible for breaking down histamine.