R/O Allergy to Alcohol

[Kellie Harris]

I just read a submission, and your response, to a 10/24/99 question about alcohol allergy.  It was the second time I have seen a reference to Asian intolerance to alcohol... I am not Asian, but am 1/2 Italian.  My dad was adopted, but lineage tracing appears to reveal mostly Irish and some French heritage - no Asian.  However, after the birth of my first child in 1991, I too have developed a severe reaction to alcohol.  Sometimes just touching a drink to my lips causes it.  The reaction is an immediate flushing feeling, heaviness in the chest, palpitations, heaviness in the arms and head, stomach cramps and a general feeling of malaise.  It almost feels as if I have a rapid decrease or increase in blood pressure.  It is quite disconcerting, especially when eating something that appears benign, but after eating it is found to have alcohol (as in some rich desserts.)  I have numerous other allergies, including allergies to shellfish, eggs, sulfa drugs, tobacco and other "herbal" type products (esp. herbal teas with hibiscus flowers), trees, grass, dust, feathers, mold, pet dander... could it be a true allergy to alcohol, or some developed intolerance?  Or a chemical imbalance, enzyme dysfunction, or some other biological issue?  Help!

[John]

I react to alcohol in a way that has been termed "allergy" by genetic family members who suffer the same reactions. I'm curious whether or not their assessment is correct.

My first drink (beer or wine) will affect me very quickly. The effect is a strong "buzz" but seems to happen more quickly with age. (I am currently 40.)

Subsequent drinks take longer to affect me. It seems that more than an our can pass before the latest sip will hit me. I have left places feeling fine, driven an hour, and arrived home horribly drunk.

Is this a "condition", or simply the way my physiology reacts to alcohol. Is it a cause for concern (other than driving, obviously)?

[Laurie G.]

I read with interest other peoples accounts of their allergic reactions to alcohol.  I have the same problem.  It started about 22 years ago following a car accident in which I broke my nose.  After that whenever I drank liquor my nose would become numb after only 1 or 2 drinks, as years went by the same problem happened when I would drink wine or beer.  But I would also develop a hot, itchy rash on my face and neck (mostly around the sinuses).  Now I develop this same hot, itchy rash after only a sip or two.  The last time it happened the whole right side of my face became numb for over a day (similar to the feeling of receiving novacaine at the dentist), the inside of my head from the ears up also felt numb-like, and I had a tightening feeling in my chest making it difficult to breathe laying down.  I do avoid drinking alcohol 99% of the time, but occasionally I am not bothered by it so once in a while I will try drinking beer or wine.  Also, coincidentally, two years ago I re-broke my nose and during the time that my nose was swollen from the break I could drink alcohol with absolutely no rash or numbness - but as soon as the swelling went away so did my ability to drink alcohol without the accompanying rash.  I also have the same effects if I take cold medication that has alcohol in it.  Obviously after my last experience I have no intentions of drinking alcohol again, but I am still curious as to what causes this and what I could possibly do to avoid it, i.e., if I took an antihistamine prior to drinking would that help - or would the alcohol heighten the effects of the antihistamine an cause other problems?  Also, due to the fact that alcohol did not bother me when my nose was swollen, could there be something about the inside of my nose that could be corrected and thus alleviate the reaction?  Any insight you could give me would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[Charlene McKee]

I stopped drinking alcoholic beverages over 20 years ago. But since then I get a terrible reaction whenever i eat anything fermented, like cheese, yeast, vinegar, even in small amounts. Reactions are a fast pulse, some difficulty breathing fully, and what feels like hangover symptoms like headache, difficulty concentrating, and deep depression, for about 48 hours. Could I have an alcohol allergy? Another problem?

[RS. EdD, HVMA]

Women in general have less acetaldehyde dehydrogenase than men which is one reason why they generally can drink less than men.  Pregnancy certainly increases your female hormones which in turn could decrease your level of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase.  It's a plausible theory that your pregnancies may have altered your hormonal system.  Whether it will return to normal or not is anybody's guess.  Acetaldehyde is a potent chemical and can cause severe illness, so think twice before you test this theory.

[Kellie]

oops, I just read a December 1999 posting about alcohol intolerance, and the response by you re:acetaldehyde... could this be me?  Could my pregnancies (3) have caused some change in the production of this enzyme?