Allergic to certain beers

[oceans12]

I have been drinking beer for a while now, and just recently have been having allergic reactions to most beers. I used to drink Budweiser, Bud light, all the other special Bud's, Michelob ultra, Mickeys, and just about every cheap beer that comes in 40 oz. Recently while drinking these beers, I would breakout in red spots on my chest, arms, and my face would turn red. I would also have difficulty breathing. I told the doctor what had happened, and he said that I may be allergic to sulfates or preservatives in the beer. So I switched to Steinlager which states on the box no additives or preservatives, and took 1 antihistamine pill and had no problems. I Also tried Millers Milwaukee's style beers, which also states no adds. or preserves with no problems. Is there other beers out there that have no adds. or preserves? With the experimenting that I've done so far, it seems to be the adds. or preserves. Is it the adds. or preserves?            

[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.
Another differential is alcohol intolerance, which can be caused by a genetic condition or by a reaction to something else in an alcoholic beverage: such as chemicals, grains or preservatives. A skin test or blood test can measure your immune system's response to a particular substance by checking the amount of allergy-type antibodies in your bloodstream.

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 dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[purushottam]

Like with any manufactured product ; extrinsic additives and intrinsic chemicals are present..from your symptoms and prophylactic treatment looks like a clear cut case of allergy to either or both adds / preserves or phytochemicals.Could be even the coating in the beer cans.....