A compromised liver struggles to process alcohol efficiently, leading to adverse reactions after consumption. Consulting a healthcare provider is recommended if one experiences unpleasant symptoms after drinking alcohol. When you have an allergic reaction to alcohol, your immune system is overreacting to an ingredient in the drink. If you have other allergies, you are more likely to have an allergy to alcohol, according to research from Switzerland.
- Anyone can have the enzyme problem that causes alcohol intolerance.
- These include grains like wheat, barley, and rye used to make beer, which can affect people with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergies.
- Conditions like liver disease can contribute to alcohol intolerance due to the liver’s role in alcohol metabolism.
- At-home alcohol intolerance test kits involve collecting skin cells from inside the cheek using a cotton swab and packaging the swab securely before sending it to a laboratory.
- Studies also suggest that drinking alcohol with the ALDH2 deficiency makes you more susceptible to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alcohol intolerance vs. allergy
As a result, it is a good idea to speak with a doctor about any symptoms, as they will know how best to identify the cause. People with the ALDH2 deficiency are at higher risk for certain types of cancer, including liver cancer. Because alcohol is a carcinogen, drinking already increases cancer risk. Studies show that people with the alcohol intolerance gene are up to eight times more likely to develop head and neck cancer than people without it.
Alcohol Intolerance: Symptoms, Causes & Management
If you have an alcohol allergy, you can develop an itchy rash, swelling, nausea, and even breathing trouble. If you ever have trouble breathing or an itchy rash with alcohol, you likely have an allergy. If you sometimes get symptoms with certain drinks but not with others, then you are more likely to have an allergy. Anaphylaxis is a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause dangerously low blood pressure and problems breathing. If you have a severe reaction and carry an EpiPen (epinephrine), use it and call 911. There are several companies that offer alcohol intolerance tests, either as a single test or as part of a broader genetic test.
When to see a doctor
Some people may be unable to drink alcohol without experiencing immediate feelings of sickness, or they may develop this over time after a prolonged period of drinking. Furthermore, excessive alcohol use is a consistent risk factor for blood or brain vessel blockage diseases, such as coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease. These conditions can lead to severe complications, including heart attack and stroke.
