Am I Allergic To Wine? How To Recognize The Signs

Allergy-like symptoms following consumption of alcohol are relatively common. Sometimes the reaction is very specific, for example to a certain type of wine, but sometimes all types of alcohol cause problems. The common symptoms are:

• Swelling
• Hives
• Redness
• Asthma like symptoms

Allergy to alcohol is extremely rare, although a few cases of skin rash reactions have been recorded.

Red wine seems to be the type of alcohol that is most commonly reported as people having a reaction to, followed by whisky, then beer and then other wines. More than likely the cause of the reaction is not the actual alcohol but some of the ingredients and chemicals within the alcohol that are the cause of the problem. When you drink alcohol it is not very likely that you will have a reaction of some type but it is important to recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Some of the ingredients in wine that people might be having the allergic reaction to are:

• Histamine
  This is present in many alcoholic drinks, particularly red wines and can cause headache, flushing, nasal symptoms, gut symptoms or asthma.

• Yeasts
  Yeasts are a possible cause of a true allergic reaction to alcoholic drinks. However studies show that there are only low levels of yeast allergens present in alcoholic drinks.

• Sulphites/Sulphur Dioxide
  Sulphur dioxide is particularly common in home brewed-beers and wines as sodium metabisulphite. Around 1 in 10 asthmatics are sensitive to sulphites and may have a wheezy reaction to alcoholic drinks. Rashes and anaphylactic reactions are rare.

• Additives

• Plant-Derived Allergens
  One unusual potential source of trouble is fungal spores (mould) from the corks of wine bottles.

Conclusion

If you are allergic to any of these things the only real way of managing your allergy is to avoid drinking alcohol at all. It is also important that you get tested to be sure to find out what exactly it is that you are reacting to. If you suspect you are reacting, make a note of the type of drink (and anything else consumed at the same time) and whether or not you took exercise.

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