Strange Symptoms: Allergic to Beer?

[parmenides]

I am a 24 year old male, and I've always loved to have an occasional beer with dinner. About 8 or 10 months ago, though, I started getting ridiculous hangovers (extended vomiting, headaches, etc.), after having only 3 or 4 beer. (These symptoms would never occur, however, until around 9am the next day.) So, I switched to rum and whisky, and the sickness stopped happening. Over the past couple of weeks, I've been testing my luck again, trying one beer on occasion, and nothing happened. So, two nights ago, I shared about 3 or 4 glasses of draught with some friends, and at about noon yesterday I quickly broke out in a strange skin rash -- 100's of small red spots (like small blood blisters) from my shoulders to my knees. They are still there today, although it's not getting much worse now (I've been taking an antihistamine, and I'm awaiting the results of a blood test).

Are these normal occurences? I suspect I might be allergic to something in the beer as it digests... But, I have noticed that these weird things have only occurred when I'm drinking domestic (Canadian) beer, while imported European beers have never yet affected me like that... Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Are there different ingredients that might be doing this? I really hope I there something I can do...

[Calchick]

I recently got reactions to Bud Light in the cans and draft-  same with the hives like you.  Budweiser says they don't use sulfite or preservatives, so I am going to allergy doctor.  tried one night of Bud light in bottles and no problem??? hmmmmm. strange.  they are going to call me back they said, still waiting

[Calchick]

that's odd, because Budweiser says they don't add any preservatives!  but recently I also had hives when drinking the Tap Bud Light and cans of Bud Light but not the bottles!!!  figure that one out?  I calle them and awaiting a response back after she researches for me.   been drinking Bud Light for years with no problems then boom - rash.

[gluten303]

People who have gluten intolerance (including celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis sufferers) have a reaction to certain proteins in the grains commonly used to make beer, barley and wheat. The hordein found in barley and the gliadin found in wheat are types of gluten that can trigger symptoms in sufferers of these diseases. Gluten-free beer is part of a gluten-free diet.

Gluten can be found in many common cereal grains including barley and wheat. Even in small quantities, the glutens specifically from barley and wheat (hordein and gliadin respectively) can trigger serious symptoms in those who suffer from Celiac disease. Almost all beer contains levels of gluten that cannot be tolerated by the celiac,[citation needed] but a growing number of breweries now cater to celiacs or those who otherwise cannot tolerate the consumption of one or other of the relevant glycoproteins.

[Linda0816]

You are having sever reactions to sulfites.  It's a preservative in wines and draft beers.  Draft beer is unpasteurized therefore pumped full of sulfites.  Most bottles of wines say right on them Contains  Sulfites because people have  allergic reactions.  I had a severe reaction about 25 years ago and ended up in emergency and the doctors told me I had a reaction to the sulfites and if I ever got another dose like I had I could die.  So I've never touched it.  I enjoy bottled beer which is pasteurized so you're not likely to have a reaction since bottled beer doesn't contain sulfites.

[cusefan22]

I too have recently experienced hives and i also have a hard time breathing to the point of using my inhaler i get stomach pain and severe bloating. i get this with many foods too so i switched to an organic diet and was perscribed an antihistamine. Doc mentioned a severe sulphite allergy

[Holsosocial]

My boyfriend is exactly the same, he always used to me fine, but recently is so sick the next day. He's definitely not a celiac as he's fine with gluten. I've read s few things where people say it's because the pipes aren't cleaned enough or the chemicals aren't washed out thoroughly. We went to a micro brewery the other day, where it was all organic beer and he was fine the next day.

You have no idea what they put in beers, they really need to start listing ingredients as it seems many people are getting sick. The best thing I can suggest is stick to organic beers, there are a lot around these days and I actually think they're nicer to drink anyway!

Good luck to everyone - until there are ingredients listed, it's impossible to illiminate the ingredients.