Why Do I Sneeze When I Drink Alcohol?

What’s more concerning, however, is that some medications can lead to uncomfortable side effects when combined with alcohol. In addition, various ingredients found in alcoholic beverages have the potential to trigger an allergic reaction in some people. The second reason why alcohol can cause sneezing and congestion is that wine, beer, and spirits contain histamine, a compound that elicits an allergic response.

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. 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. The good news is, simple wine sneezes are nothing to be concerned about if the symptoms are mild. Rinsing your nose with salt water or a saline solution will help to soothe the mucous membranes in your nose and reduce inflammation. Alcohol intolerance occurs when your body doesn’t have the proper enzymes to break down the toxins in alcohol.

Is There Treatment For An Alcohol Allergy?

They don’t have one of the active enzymes needed to alcohol and sneezing alcohol — alcohol dehydrogenase or aldehyde dehydrogenase . A few alcohols are less likely to trigger symptoms in people with alcohol intolerance. However, if you have alcohol intolerance, you must talk to your doctor about which alcohols are best for you to drink. For many people, wine is the drink that causes them to sneeze. This is likely because wine contains histamines, which trigger allergies.

• Due again to the reaction from histamines, it’s not uncommon to experience swelling when you have an alcohol intolerance.
• One theory is that the agave plant, which is used to make tequila, releases a pollen that can cause allergies.
• Hazelnut or almond in liquor can also be a problem for those with an allergy to nuts.
• People with this condition usually experience swelling in the lymph nodes in areas including the neck, armpits, or groin.
• While everyone can react negatively to histamines, some people are more sensitive than others.
• The most common of these compounds are sulfites, which are typically highest in beer, brown liquor, and cider.
• Be aware, however, that labels might not list all ingredients.

Red wine, in comparison to white wine and beer, has a higher histamine content. Alcohol intolerance is far more common than a true alcohol allergy. Alcohol is the only thing that can be avoided if you have a true alcohol allergy; if you do not have an allergy, drinking alcohol can make you sick. You could suffer a severe reaction even if you only consumed a small amount of alcohol. If you are allergic to another ingredient in alcoholic beverages, you may be able to switch to a different one.

How to Treat Alcohol Intolerance

The enzyme diamine oxidase breaks down histamine that people consume from foods and beverages. If people do not produce enough of this enzyme, they may not break down histamine efficiently, which may lead to intolerance symptoms.

• If drinking from a glass makes you sneeze, try drinking through a straw instead.
• Unfortunately, nothing can prevent reactions to alcohol or ingredients in alcoholic beverages.
• Anaphylaxis, which is a severe reaction that can include a rapid, weak pulse, nausea, and vomiting.
• If you are concerned about your health or drinking habits, you should consult with your doctor.
• 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.

For example, red wine contains a much higher percentage of histamines when compared to white varieties, so choose wisely if wine sneezes are known to put a damper on your evening. Drinking alcohol can trigger migraines in some people, possibly as a result of histamines contained in some alcoholic beverages. Your immune system also releases histamines during an allergic reaction. In some cases, reactions can be triggered by a true allergy to a grain such as corn, wheat or rye or to another substance in alcoholic beverages. Although not a true allergy, in some cases, what seems to be alcohol intolerance might be your reaction to something in an alcoholic beverage — such as chemicals, grains or preservatives. Combining alcohol with certain medications also can cause reactions. Though rare, an alcohol allergy has the potential to be fatal.

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If you are allergic to alcohol, you may want to look into your family for signs of an alcohol allergy. Some people may have allergies to the ingredients in alcoholic beverages, but it is uncommon to have an alcohol allergy. If this is the case, the root of the problem must be determined through a visit to a doctor. Whiskey contains fewer gluten grains, which lowers the likelihood of it becoming an allergy trigger. Also known as alcohol intolerance, an alcohol allergy refers to the immediate and uncomfortable reactions that accompany ingesting alcohol. This condition is entirely genetic, and the most common symptoms of alcohol allergy are sneezing, a stuffy nose, and skin flushing. The interesting thing about alcohol intolerance is the fact that these conditions are rarely entirely due to alcohol but rather the other ingredients in one’s drink.

In fact, treatment for an alcohol allergy will focus primarily on any present symptoms (i.e. alleviating rashes with a topical cream). Beyond that, an individual must avoid drinking completely to prevent suffering the symptoms of an allergic reaction and possible death. If you have alcohol flush reaction – Sunset Alcohol Flush Support is a great way to reduce your symptoms, including red facial flushing, a stuffy nose and headaches. Sunset can also help minimise nasal congestion from histamine in alcohol beverages as well. Sunset Alcohol Flush Support is a natural supplement that works specifically to reduce all of these symptoms, including a stuffy nose after drinking alcohol. Sunset works with the body to break down alcohol quickly and effectively, so you don’t experience the negative symptoms. Produced by yeast and bacteria during fermentation, histamine may be present in some alcoholic beverages.