beer

in the last couple of weeks i have been having a reaction to beer. It starts with me burning up and then going bright red it has never happened like this before I have tried two different beers and same reaction....fosters and stella

[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. Beer may contain a variety of ingredients, including barley, corn, wheat, and rye that may precipitate an allergic reaction.It may be that you are allergic to any of the componenets of beer.

Secondly,it can be due to flusing of the skin due to alcohol maybe in any concentration. Alcohol flush reaction is a condition in which the body cannot break down ingested alcohol completely, due to problems in synthesis and genetic coding of the enzyme, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2)which is responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde, a product of the metabolism of alcohol.

Try to decrease the amount of alcohol that you consume and see if the symptoms disappear or not.Also keep yourself well hydrated after alcohol consumption and munch some snacks along with beer.

If the symptoms persist then,pls consult an allergist.

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