Allergic to Rum?

Hi-

So I'm a recent college graduate and as you can assume, I've done my fair share of drinking. I have drank everything from the cheapest to the most expensive brands of alcohol. I've had to normal sick reaction to drinking too much and mixing alcohol types, but recently I've had a different reaction. I never had Long Island Iced Tea until a few months ago. I would lay down and my nose would get incredibly stuffy. I'd wake up in the morning and feel like I had strep, my throat would be very sore, I'd feel lethargic and just completely awful. The first incident, strep test came back positive. Felt better after a few days, went out the next weekend and had Rum and Coke, the same thing happened the next morning. I thought I just didn't get over the strep and the alcohol made it worse. Another positive strep test and round of antibiotics. Stepped away from Rum unconsciously for a week and then had 1 Long Island with friends, no other drinks but water that night, and woke up sick with another positive strep test from the doctor later that day.

I finally pieced it together after having a different strand of strep 3 times in a month, and constantly feeling sick. Since then, I've stayed away from Rum and haven't been sick until I accidentally drank 1 Rum and Coke two weeks ago, and as it has previously happened, had strep again.

I thought it was just bad luck but could this be an allergy to rum? If so, is there a test that can concretely say if it is in fact the rum that is causing the illness? I just claim I'm allergic in order to avoid it but I'd like to find out if maybe it's something in the rum or it is the rum itself

Thanks!

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Salicylates are chemicals found naturally in plants and can be found in food, medication, cosmetics and beverages such as coffee, wine, beer, orange juice, apple cider, regular and herbal tea, rum, and sherry. Some people have a low level of tolerance to salicylates and may have reactions if more than a small amount is consumed at one time. Symptoms of a salicylate allergy include may of the following: trouble breathing and wheezing, headaches, nasal congestion, changes in skin color, itching, skin rash, or hives, stomach pain and even swelling of the hands, feet, and face. You can have an allergy test to see the substances that you are allergic to. Check with your doctor or be referred to an allergologist. Take care and best regards.