allergic to liquor!

[ellembest]

as most teenager, i love to go out with my friends and drink(liquor).. i drink hard alcohol, wines, etc..  but everytime i drink i get these red spots and it's really really itchy! even if i drink coolers(less percent alcohol) i still get this red spots... my mom told me that im allergic to alcohol and that i need to stop drinking... she told me that i might get this anapylactic shock and die! i don't believe her because i've been drinking for years already and i only get these itchy red spots..

im scared though, liquor is a part of my life and i just can't stop.. but is it really possible that i might get this anapylactic shock and die?? what should i do?

i heard from a lady that she is as well allergic to alcohol so BEFORE she drinks, she takes this medicine... i havn't got a chnace to ask her what kind of medicine... but is there really a medicine to take before drinking so that i won't get itchy or something???

[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.The red dots that you get after alcohol consumption are called hives or urticaria.Antihistaminics are the main treatment of hives or allergic reaction to alcohol.You can take antihistaminics prior to consumption of alcohol also but pls get yourself prescribed for them from an allergist.Also it is true that allergy to alcohol can cause anaphylactic reaction which may be life threatening.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[melbidd]

Hello,
I have an allergy to something in alcohol (not yet been tested), and it started with only a rash/hives, then progressed with time.  Last week my friend spilled a bit of rev on the table and I put my hand in it by accident and then I believe I touched my mouth or something, because about 15 minutes later, my lips/tongue were swollen, had trouble breathing, had a rash that itched like crazy, really bad nausea, dizziness ... So I would advise you to stop drinking.

But like Kindd said, you can take something before drinking, but be carefull.  If anyother symptoms appear talk to your doctor about it.

hope this helps, take care.