Allergic to Alcohol? - Allergies Message Board

Mike29 · 12-25-2000, 12:38 PM

Hi, I'm 17 years old and i think i'm allergic to alcohol. When I drink it, my face turns red (as if I'm blushing) for quite a long time depending on how much I have drank. My arms and chest also turn a little red as well. My eyes become somewhat bloodshot and face also gets kinda swollen. I know people tend to throw up if they drink too much, but i've done it after 2 beers! Could I be allergic to alcohol or is my body just getting used to it cause this is the first year that i have started to drink. Any information would be helpful. Thanks

Janet · 01-01-2001, 09:32 PM

Hi,,you could very well be allergic to alcohol.
I have a friend who's neck turns pretty red while she is drinking and at times her cheeks.
The rule of thumb is , if you think you are allergic to something you should stay away from it as it can lead to other serious reactions..
Take care

Jester · 01-03-2001, 09:07 AM

I used to be allergic to alcohol, but it wasn't actually the alcohol it was something in it. I went on a cleansing diet, for about a month. I avoided sugar, yeast, wheat, gluten (most carbohydrates). After this diet I was able to drink without getting smashed on 1 drink. There are a lot of people who are allergic to certain foods, and because of that they will become sensitive to other foods. I don't fully understand it, but you may want to look into a cleansing diet. There is way to much processed foods in our diest as it is, whole foods can never hurt you...

Guff · 01-03-2001, 05:17 PM

I think Jester could be right. I brewed beer for a local brewpub here and I noticed people having an allergic reaction to certain types of beer I made.
I came to the conclusion it wasn't the alcohol but possibly the hops or other ingredients.
What type of beer was it? Highly hopped, was it made with corn or rice like Bud and Coors? Check the ingredients and try different brands of beer.
Remember Hops are a pungent flower and closely related to marijuana. Look for a low hoped beer like an amber or fruit beer. If you use mouthwash, drink wine, or whisky then it’s not the alcohol.
Also there are many diff. types of yeast used in making beer. Maybe you have a yeast allergy?

savannah · 01-13-2001, 11:20 PM

This is so strange. I have felt some sort of allergic reaction to alcohol as well. BUT not all kinds. For instance, the only beer I noticed that doesn't bother me is Michelob Light.
I have also suspected a corn or hops allergy for some time. Upon taking a few sips of some tea once, in which the primary igredient was hops, I immediately had heart palpitations. Very scary.