Alcohol Allergy or Asian Flush?

[Benismyaeon]

I'm not really sure where to put this question, but since there was a chance it had to do with allergies, here it is:

I don't drink very much, just with some friends, only twice so far. The first time I had decent amounts of hard liquor, the second, more recently, I had two mugs of beer, and a few sips of martinis. If this matters, I don't chug, I just leisurely drink. I do experience asian flush, I just very very red after having any amount of beer, but I don't feel drunk in any way. Usually there aren't any side effects, but the morning after I had the beers and martinies, I noticed that I had a red spot under my eye. I've been looking up a couple articles that say it might be a petechiae, but I'm not sure. I've also been linked to other sites saying that there are people with alcohol allergies. I'm not sure which I have, an allergy, or just flush, and is the petechiae permanent?

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You could be having alcohol intolerance but nothing can be said with surety without a proper clinical examination.

You should avoid alcohol if it is causing your symptoms and take oral antihistamine medications for symptomatic relief.

Have you had allergic reactions in the past? Are you allergic to any other specific substances?

You could read more about the condition at the following link -

www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcohol-allergy/AN00818

It would help to take a vitamin B complex and also consult your doctor for your symptoms if they persist.

Post us if you have any other doubts and let us know about how you are doing.

Regards.

[eve180]

Hello,
I recently posted a question for you but am not sure if you received it. I am a 25 yr old caucasian female who also experiences symptoms of "Asian Flush." Although it is rare, I have noticed it for years. I have also noticed that it happens when I drink certain types of alcohol or mixed drinks such as margaritas. I have done a little research and learned that it is possibly a genetic deficiency of ALDH2 which is strongly linked to esopheagal (spelling?) cancer and all other sorts of complications. No one in my family experiences this as far as I know. I am hoping that it is just an allergy, and do not want to further expose myself to any risk of cancer or neurological problems. How can I find out what it is that I have? Thank you