alcohol allergy?

[slickman120]

last few weeks i have been getting flu like symptoms such as runny nose, head cold for 2 to 3 days after i drink and smoke a few cigarettes. i thought it was happening to often for my immune system to be down? could i be allergic to alcohol or what? any answers would be much appreciated

thanks

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It is usually not the alcohol that produces the allergic reaction to the wine or beer. The other ingredients in the alcohol, such as yeast, sulfur dioxide, and additives are often the culprits.

Another differential is alcohol intolerance and its symptoms include headache, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, nasal congestion, warm/red/itchy skin, abdominal pain and runny nose.

You need to go for an allergy testing for the ingredients of the beverage you take to know what you are allergic to and rule out any alcohol intolerance as well. For this please consult an allergist.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[TheLightSeeker]

Hey slickman120.
Welcome to the forum.

Alcohol and smoking lower the ability of the immune system to fight germs and viruses.
Both being "drugs" require your immune system defenses, to orchestrate a response.
Should you be deficient in certain nutrients from before, your immune system would be weaker. Now you have, on top of that,  germs, microbes and bacteria invading your body.
Discontinue the alcohol and smoking for now.
Nourish your body with fresh and nutritious food .
Drink plenty of filtered water. Supplement with Vitamin D- 5000 I.U. daily and some zinc.
  Let your body rest well.

Do Dr. Coca's Pulse test for allergies - free download-. Accurate and efficient.

Also look into supplementation with probiotics ( good quality- the type that need refrigeration with 50 Billion plus count and 5+strains). 80% of your immune system is in your gut!  
Hope this helps

Blessings
Nikodicreta