Allergic reactions to alcohol can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, a runny nose, or stomach upset. Additionally, people with alcohol intolerance, a genetic condition affecting the body’s ability to break down alcohol, may experience sneezing and nasal congestion after drinking beer. This is due to the accumulation of byproducts i sneeze when i drink alcohol that trigger a mild allergic reaction.
It is not a sensitivity to histamine but rather an indication that the person has accumulated an excessive amount. Symptoms of histamine intolerance can include sneezing, hives, headaches, nausea, and digestive issues—similar to a common allergic response. If you find that certain foods make you sneeze, such as strawberries or shellfish, try avoiding them before you drink. This will help to reduce the number of histamines in your system and make it less likely that they’ll trigger a sneeze.
Get our lovely Healthy Bites newsletter each week!
One of the primary symptoms is facial flushing, where the face quickly turns red and may feel warm due to increased blood flow. This type of allergy occurs when an individual cannot break down sulfites, which are a byproduct of fermentation and appear in wine and other alcoholic beverages. Symptoms may include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea and vomiting. For those with severe allergies or asthma, sulfite intolerance can be life-threatening.
In some cases, symptoms may be the result of an underlying condition that can be managed with proper medical treatment. For example, a person with histamine intolerance can experience adverse reactions when drinking alcohol because their body is unable to process the histamine in certain types of drinks. In this case, avoiding these types of drinks and/or medications that contain histamine can help reduce the symptoms. It’s important to note that a Red Wine Allergy is not the same as an intolerance to red wine. An allergy occurs when something in the wine triggers an immune reaction, while an intolerance takes place when someone has difficulty digesting certain components of the beverage.
Histamines are chemicals produced by the human immune system and are found in nearly all tissues of the body. While the body naturally produces histamine, we also consume it through food and drinks that are rich in histamines, including cheese, wine, meats, fish, and fermented foods. Some winemakers do choose to state their histamine content, particularly if it’s low. For example, Italian winemaker Peri Bigogno produces wines with a certified histamine content under 0.5 mg/L.
What Should I Do When I Feel Hangxiety?
If you have an intolerance or sensitivity to any of these ingredients, you’ll likely react to drinking beer. Alcohol itself can cause blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to swelling, nasal congestion, and excessive mucus drainage. These symptoms can also make the nasal passage more sensitive, leading to sneezing. This reaction will happen whatever alcohol you consume, whether it is drunk or added to main courses or puddings.
Case reports have shown that some people have developed larynx (voice box) and malleus (a small bone in your middle ear) fractures after a forceful sneeze. Otolaryngologists call a stifled sneeze a “closed-airway sneeze,” Christopher Chang, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist based in Virginia, told Health. “When a sneeze is initiated, a lot of pressure builds up in your lungs, and the sneeze is let out all at once forcefully.” The effects can vary among individuals, as some people metabolize the byproducts of alcohol more efficiently than others.
If people experience symptoms after drinking alcohol, they should speak with a doctor for further advice. Allergy testing can determine if a person is allergic to histamine or other compounds found in red wine. A skin prick test or blood test may be used to detect an allergic reaction to the particular compounds that are present in red wine. If a person is found to be sensitive to red wine, they may need to avoid it altogether or switch to white wine, which contains a lower concentration of histamine. It is important to note that not all allergic reactions to red wine are caused by histamine.
Why Do I Get Stuffy Nose & Nasal Congestion After Drinking Alcohol?
This can be done by avoiding heavily-oaked wines or those with a higher alcohol content. An alcohol intolerance, or ingredients like histamines in alcohol cause an allergy-like reaction in drinkers, swelling the the mucosal membranes in the nasal passages and airways. Avoiding problematic ingredients or taking a supplement to reduce acetaldehyde buildup and intolerance symptoms can help prevent nasal congestion from drinking. Wine and other alcoholic beverages are generally not considered as potential allergens, so if you think you may have an allergy to wine, it is important to get a proper diagnosis.
- Such reactions can include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
- They resort to what are called case reports, which detail just one particular person’s experience with a suppressed sneeze.
- Knowing your limits is a key factor in preventing hangovers and symptoms of anxiety during a hangover.
- Now, I find myself experiencing the same reaction, so let’s explore why it happens and what you can do about it.
The Benefits Of Sulfites In Wine
These foods can help your body break down the histamines more effectively, reducing the potential for an allergic reaction. Dilated blood vessels can cause inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages. In some people, drinking alcohol may also trigger an allergic reaction, which can cause sneezing and other symptoms.
Allergic reactions to ingredients
A superficial ruptured blood vessel in your eye may cause a red eye or subconjunctival hemorrhage. Getting rid of hangxiety involves resting, avoiding anxiety-provoking challenges during the episode, staying with a supportive person, getting something to eat, and staying hydrated. A combination of the toxic effects of alcohol and the withdrawal from the effects of alcohol causes a hangover. Sulfites are sulfur compounds that occur naturally in the hops used to make beer. They are also added to beer as preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria that can turn the alcohol to vinegar.
If you think you might be allergic to wine, it is important that you seek medical attention right away. Your doctor or allergist will likely perform a skin test in order to determine what component of wine you are allergic to. Once the allergen has been identified, your doctor can help you develop a plan of action to manage your allergy in the future. White wine has been around for centuries and is enjoyed by many people worldwide.
If you find that certain drinks trigger your sneezing, try switching to a different type of alcohol. And if cocktails make you sneeze, try making your own with fresh fruit juices instead of pre-made mixes. Red wine should be avoided if you have a sinus condition or are prone to developing them.
How To Prevent Nasal Congestion After Drinking Alcohol
A stifled sneeze can shift around your body “depending on where the pressure valve is,” Erich Voigt, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at NYU Langone Health, told Health. Someone who closes their throat to trap pressure in their chest is more likely to have a rib fracture than if they pinch their nose. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur as the body adjusts to a sudden decline in the chemicals that are components of alcohol. Additionally, as alcohol is broken down and removed from the body, certain chemical toxins produce inflammation and oxidative stress.