You may also have a food sensitivity rather than an allergy. That runny or stuffy nose you get if you’re intolerant to alcohol may feel and seem like allergies, but it’s not. As we now know, alcohol intolerance is an issue with metabolizing alcohol — not an overzealous immune system.

Alcohol Intolerance Symptoms

One in three people can make themselves sneeze by looking at a bright light. Researchers aren’t exactly sure how photic sneezing occurs. Some think it happens when a light source stimulates a branch of your parasympathetic nervous system.

• A food allergy is your immune system’s response to a food protein that the body sees as harmful.
• Or, maybe you’re sensitive to sulfites or other chemicals in alcoholic beverages, resulting in nausea or headaches.
• If people experience symptoms after drinking alcohol, they should speak with a doctor for further advice.
• If you find that straight spirits make you sneeze, try diluting them with water or soda before you drink them.

Everything You Need to Know About a Beer Allergy

If you have a true alcohol allergy, the only way to avoid symptoms is to avoid alcohol entirely. Even a small amount of alcohol can trigger a severe reaction. Read the ingredient lists of foods and drinks, ask restaurant staff for information about menu items, and avoid products that contain alcohol. Dilated blood vessels can cause inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages.

What Does It Mean to Have a Beer Allergy?

Common sulfites include potassium bisulfite or potassium metabisulfite. Sulfur dioxide is another closely related chemical that can trigger reactions in some people. Some people experience flushing, headaches, and nausea shortly after drinking alcohol. You can also get allergy testing to check whether you have a true allergy to alcohol. Allergy testing can also tell you if you have an allergy to another component of alcoholic beverages like wheat, grapes, or barley.

Allergy symptoms that alcohol makes worse

People can also have an oral allergy syndrome — a reaction to fresh fruit and vegetables that may be used as a garnish or a mixer in a cocktail, according to Bassett. Hazelnut or almond in liquor can also be a problem for those with an allergy to nuts. If a person suspects they have an allergy, it’s important they be evaluated by a specialist. Dec. 24, 2012— sneezing after drinking alcohol — Kristin Brown loved to drink – perhaps partied a little too much when she was in her 20s, but when she hit her 30s, alcohol suddenly hit her the wrong way. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Find out how much you could save in a year with a membership.

• Watch that glass of red wine or hoppy beer if you have food allergies.
• If your doctor prescribes an epinephrine auto-injector, you should carry it with you at all times.
• You need to drink much more than before to get the buzz you want.
• Alcohol intolerance occurs when your body doesn’t have the proper enzymes to break down (metabolize) the toxins in alcohol.
• These compounds are often added to beer and wine to limit the growth of yeast and act as a preservative.
• Don’t feel bad, but do consider cutting back on drinking — or quitting altogether.
• Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol.

How Dry January Reshaped My Relationship With Drinking

Sulfite and histamine sensitivity