allergic to alcohol

After drinking a smirknoff ice and a little bit of vodka I have developed rashes all over my body. My whole body was red but there is no hives. Could this be an allergic reaction to alcohol. It was my first time drinking

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

This could be an alcohol intolerance. Alcohol can cause effects on the body such as  headache, rapid heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, nasal congestion, or warm, red, itchy skin. With intolerance, you are more sensitive to these effects compared to other people. In particular, many people of Asian descent experience an unusual flushing reaction after drinking alcohol.  This is due to a genetic disorder in which the body is unable to break down alcohol completely.

An allergy to alcohol is unlikely. Allergy pertains to the immune system which produces antibodies when exposed to a specific trigger or allergy. It is commonly associated with hives, swelling of the mouth or difficulty breathing.

Take care and regards.

[mtvan]

What do you recommend for the reddness and itchiness? Its been three days now and im still itchy and red.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

The redness and itchiness should resolve after a few days. But you may benefit from over-the-counter antihistamine medication. And it is important to avoid alcohol to prevent future outbreaks. Also, try to avoid scratching the rashes to prevent secondary infection.

To rule out allergy, I would recommend that you check with your dermatologist for allergy testing. You may not be allergic to the alcohol itself, but to the preservatives or additives found in the alcohol.

Take care and keep us posted.