Allergies Forum - Annoying And Embarassing Reaction to Alcohol

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Q: Annoying And Embarassing Reaction to Alcohol

asked by: bloofy on May 31st, 2005

New User

Hello everyone,
i am a soon to be 18 year old white male of european descent from australia. I am a healthy height of 6'2 and I am of a medium build, but I am quite strong as well.

Somewhere between the end of last year and now I think I developed a reaction to alcohol.

When I drink as little as half or less of a bottle of normal beer, alcoholic cider or mixed spirits, I get extremely hot in the face, which swells and becomes very, very red, not unlike a severe case of sunburn. (all over mind you, even my eyelids) I also perspire a bit and the general temperature of my body seems to go up a bit.

Now the strangest thing is, while i've never been a large drinker (first time I really got drunk was when I was about 14 1/2 -15) but I have never had this happen before the start of this year. Since then i've consumed alcohol a few times and no matter how little I drink this always happens.
Thankfully the symptoms go away reasonably quick if I drink more but as you can imagine it is the cause of some discomfort, and since I turn 18 (and can legally drink) in a few months, it is sure to cause more soon. Please offer your guidance.

Replies(10)

bloofy

replied on July 8th, 2005

New User

Oh, comeon guys, I need an answer. Please.

mahwoli

replied on July 24th, 2005

New User

U may be allergic to alcohol or to one component in beer, to see if u are allergic to alcohol try to drink some wine,and see what happens,if u're ok then it means u are allergic to beer

dc1234

replied on August 13th, 2005

New User

I don't believe it's an allergy to alcohol. Some people have a deficiency in the enzymes that convert ethanol to acetaldehyde to acetic acid. Read about it here... Http://en.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/acetaldehyde ... My aunt gets this too. When she drinks one beer, she becomes really red in the face and neck area and her skin temperature increases.

fatfamily02

replied on August 13th, 2005

Extremely eHealthy

Very interesting!!!

bloofy

replied on August 15th, 2005

New User

dc1234 wrote:

i don't believe it's an allergy to alcohol. Some people have a deficiency in the enzymes that convert ethanol to acetaldehyde to acetic acid. Read about it here... Http://en.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/acetaldehyde ... My aunt gets this too. When she drinks one beer, she becomes really red in the face and neck area and her skin temperature increases.

hey...That could very possibly be it, the symptoms are identical, but I said in my first post that it only happens with beer, so I dunno.
Thanks anyway.

mpro

replied on September 14th, 2005

New User

I Have Your Answer!

I had the same symptoms years ago! It is rare to hear it from someone else. It is the barley in the beer that is causing this reaction. Different beers have different effects on my allergies. Growing up I was severly allergic to eggs, mustard, chicken, turkey, nuts, weeds, animal hair, bee stings I could go on and on...I had allergy shots twice a week for 5 years. I got rid of all allergies except for the weeds(barley) and nuts. Anyway, stay away from microbeers and beers with high barley percentile. Try different brands and let me know if this helps. Sucks to be allergic to beer...I know the feeling!!

Marianne Jewell

replied on October 29th, 2005

New User

Reaction to Alcohol

I get the same thing. It has happened twice, once after only 2 sips of vodka and once after only 2 sips of wine. I think the enzyme deficiency is the key. I will keep you posted if I get any info.

mayhi

replied on October 29th, 2005

Experienced User

It sounds like it could be a reaction to the hops that they use in beer. Good luck and I hope that you figure it out.

mariel1122

replied on September 17th, 2006

New User

Ahh mee too lately ive been throwing up everytime I drink, and now nobody ever wants to party w. Me. Any suggestions?

smilers

replied on March 14th, 2007

New User

i get something similar to that i get a really red and swollen face i found out it was wkd blue something in that probably the dye it is very annying hope you get it sorted mate:)

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