Medical expert of the article
New publications
Alcohol allergy
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
An allergy to alcohol, paradoxical as it may sound, could be a salvation for many people suffering from alcohol addiction. However, cases of allergic reactions to substances containing alcohol are quite rare among them. Therefore, we will talk about a completely different group of people, about the reasons causing such an allergy and about the methods of its treatment.
Alcohol, like any other substance that enters the human body - food, drinks, can provoke an allergic reaction. In addition to its destructive effect on systems and organs, it has the ability to cause an aggressive response from the immune system. What many consider a temporary typical phenomenon after drinking alcohol - reddening of the skin, itching, can serve as a signal of the manifestation of an allergy.
[ Why does alcohol allergy occur?
Alcohol allergy is not caused by ethyl alcohol itself, it is not an allergen for the body. This is explained simply. The human body itself is capable of producing a dosed, normal amount of ethyl alcohol. Moreover, it is considered a natural metabolite. That is why the immune system does not protest against it, and by its molecular composition, ethyl compounds are not suitable for the role of an allergen. What is the cause of an allergic reaction when drinking alcoholic beverages?
- Any component of an alcoholic beverage can serve as a hapten (a substance that is ready to become an allergen when combined with a protein). This includes dyes, flavorings, and flavor additives;
- Alcohol provokes pathological changes in organs, which in turn can become more vulnerable to allergens;
- Alcohol, when combined with medications, provokes the appearance of allergic compounds;
- Alcohol, when combined with certain foods, can cause an allergic reaction;
- Allergy to alcohol is explained by a hereditary factor.
Allergy to alcohol most often occurs when drinking cognac, wine, beer, tinctures and liqueurs, that is, those alcoholic beverages that may contain flavorings, herbal and plant extracts. Of course, classic vodka or alcohol cannot be considered harmless or useful for the body. Like any other alcoholic beverage, vodka can thin the walls of the digestive tract and make it vulnerable to microbes, bacteria and other substances. An allergen can easily get into the blood serum through microerosions. In addition, if the allergy sufferer's medical history includes cases of alcohol intoxication on the part of parents, the risk of getting this type of allergy also doubles. In the presence of a hereditary predisposition, an allergic reaction to alcohol can manifest itself especially acutely and threateningly, moreover, even a minimal dose of an alcoholic beverage provokes an allergy. The body reacts so aggressively quickly that such experiments often end in anaphylactic shock.
How does alcohol allergy manifest itself?
Acquired allergy, as a rule, occurs due to chronic alcoholism or due to the consumption of drinks of dubious quality. A huge number of substances designed to purify ethyl alcohol often exceed the permissible dose and themselves become toxins. And synthetic flavors and flavor additives often become dangerous allergens. Acquired alcohol allergy develops slowly, often asymptomatically. The patient seeks help when the allergy affects many systems and organs, manifests itself acutely. It is extremely difficult to treat this form of allergy and the course of therapy lasts a very long time.
An allergy to alcohol is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Hyperemia, as a rule, the face turns red;
- Edema – face, neck, hands;
- Runny nose not associated with colds;
- Rash, itching, papules;
- Changes in blood pressure (hypertension, hypotension);
- Tachycardia that is not relieved by cardiac drugs;
- Anaphylaxis.
How is alcohol allergy recognized?
Alcohol allergy is diagnosed in the same way as other types of allergic diseases. This is a biochemical blood test, which will show the state of the blood composition, an immunofermentogram, which reveals an excess of IgE immunoglobulin titers. A skin test may also be prescribed. Treatment for this type of allergy is standard: exclude the source of allergization, i.e. alcohol, antihistamine therapy, in severe situations (anaphylaxis) - a set of resuscitation measures.
An allergy to alcohol is one type of allergic reaction, but it is much easier to prevent than other forms. It is enough to either not drink alcohol at all or limit their intake.