My boyfriend gets a very itchy rash when he has been drinking, i'm wondering if this is common or if there's anything that can be done about it... He doesn't want to stop drinking though, he's not a heavy drinker

It is not uncommon. A rash indicates an allergic reaction and should not be ignored as it could eventually become severe.

Does your boyfriend have food allergies (say to grains, such as corn, wheat)? Does all alcohol cause this rash, or just one kind, like beer, wine coolers, wiskey, etc? It is possible to be allergic to sulfites, which is present in most wine coolers and flavored beers.

Once you know the substance that he is allergic to, then avoiding that substance is the only safe way to go. That does not necessarily rule out all drinking. An example: Sulfites cause a burning sensation in my chest/lungs, and white wine gives me a bad headache, so I dont drink wine coolers or white wine. Instead, I drink non-sulfite malt liquors (there are a few, such as Jack Daniels Coolers) or I drink liquor in mixed drinks. I have to be carefu of cream-type liquers because they tend to have sufites in them. I dont like beer, but if I so desired, I could drink it.

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Angel, et al

HEY...

I have the WIERDEST reaction after drinking. The next morning I wake up with NUMB/ SWOLLEN/ LIPS... a few days later they turn dark black and harden and crack... Then it will peel for about 1 - 2 weeks... what is up with that... It just started this year... One night I just drank Apple Martinis because I thought I was just allergic to tequila. Long behold, I woke up in the same horrible condition. HELP ME... what is wrong?

[This message has been edited by shuga (edited 08-25-2003).]