Also, if your symptoms seem to be linked to an allergy or a medication you’re taking, see your doctor. In some cases, antihistamines or other medications may help alleviate certain symptoms like flushing or nasal congestion. However, these should be used cautiously and under a physician’s guidance, as they do not address the root cause of alcohol intolerance and may have side effects. For a minor reaction, over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines might help reduce symptoms, such as itching or hives. Studies also suggest that drinking alcohol with the ALDH2 deficiency makes you more susceptible to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s alcohol intolerance disease. It’s important for people with alcohol intolerance to be especially mindful of their alcohol consumption.

Alcohol Allergies

Read the ingredient lists of foods and drinks, ask restaurant staff for information about menu items, and avoid products that contain alcohol. If they suspect you have a true allergy to alcohol or another ingredient in alcoholic beverages, they will likely conduct allergy testing. The most common type of allergy testing is the skin prick test. During a skin prick test, your doctor will use a lancet to prick or scratch your skin.

Stop wondering, start testing

People with lactose intolerance may get diarrhoea, stomach pains and bloating if they drink milk or eat dairy foods. Some people are born with a tendency to develop lactose intolerance; others get it as a result of gastroenteritis or chemotherapy. Avoid the beverage or beverages that seem to cause your reaction until your doctor’s appointment. If you do drink a beverage that causes a mild reaction, over-the-counter antihistamines may help relieve symptoms.

Alcohol Intolerance Testing

• This may result in higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood and more significant effects from drinking.
• However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important.
• As a person ages, certain health conditions or medications may mean they have different reactions to alcohol than they previously did.
• If a person combines alcohol with certain medications, this may also cause a reaction.
• Even drinking a small amount of alcohol (ethanol) causes unpleasant symptoms.
• If you do drink a beverage that causes a mild reaction, over-the-counter antihistamines may help relieve symptoms.

For a minor reaction, over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines may help reduce symptoms, such as itching or hives. However, antihistamines can’t treat a serious allergic reaction. You may not need to see a doctor if you have a mild intolerance to alcohol or something else in alcoholic beverages. You may simply need to avoid alcohol, limit how much you drink, or avoid certain types of alcoholic beverages. However, if you have a serious reaction or severe pain, see your doctor.

• While there is no cure for this condition, avoiding alcohol helps you stay symptom-free.
• Normally your body produces an enzyme called diamine oxidase (DAO) to break histamine down.
• Research suggests that up to 10 percent of asthmatics are sensitive to sulphites, with the severity of reactions varying from mild to life-threatening.
• Because acetaldehyde is toxic and carcinogenic (causing cancer), avoiding alcohol altogether is the only option that medical professionals will recommend.
• If you experience a mild allergic reaction, over-the-counter oral antihistamines may be enough to treat it.

If you have an alcohol allergy, you can develop an itchy rash, swelling, nausea, and even breathing trouble. If you ever have trouble breathing or an itchy rash with alcohol, you likely have an allergy. If you sometimes get symptoms with certain drinks but not with others, then you are more likely to have an allergy.

Not sure if you have alcohol intolerance or allergies? Learn how to get an allergy test.

Track allergy symptoms and prepare for a visit with a healthcare provider. Some types of sulfites might also trigger an asthmatic attack if you have asthma. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) is an enzyme that your body uses to digest alcohol. It turns alcohol into acetic acid, a main component of vinegar, in your liver. Currently, there is no cure for alcohol intolerance, but understanding and managing the condition can significantly reduce its impact.