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...

[blueeyes702]

What you are describing is called a hangover. I know it ***** and there is no exact reason why they exist. But they have existed for centuries. Scientists cant really explain them, some say dehydration, some say mini withdrawalls from alcohol. Genectics do come into play, of course , what you eat and how much you consume. But know this the more severe your hangover with the least amount of alcohol , just know you are predispositioned to being an alcoholic, it probably is in your dna,and you have family members who have the same issues.

[buttrash90]

I'm a 34 year old white male.  2 days ago I broke out in some crazy rash after a night of drinking.  Red dots that are super itchy.  At first I thought it was a heat rash due to the hangover.  But now I suspect it's alcohol, not sure if it's beer or what?  I'm actually sitting here naked right now typing this cause I'm trying to let my rash air out.  This is really painful and ***** really bad.

[onepaul]

jodymae,

that is interesting about the q tip...you posted recently. How have you been since staying away? from beer?

I suspect i may be w the rest of you. Here are symptoms, though, which I've concluded very well may be from beer. I have been drinking cheap stuff daily for the last few mos. I'll get puffy face in the am, some itchiness on the back, arms etc AND oily and acne -prone, itchy scalp !! It's really weird, my scalp feels so unhealthy, the hair is weaker, flat, and come out a lot easier.... I have generally very full, thick hair and get comments all the time--or did until this started happening. I'm cutting out beer, and will see what happens w red wine.  Anyone experience similar w scalp problems etc? thks

[improvking]

So I am 28 years old and have been a pretty heavy drinker for most of teenage and adult life.  Recently though I have noticed after one beer one of my eyes either left or right will turn red like a raccoon and will burn.  This is also accompanied with my throat being swollen and sore the next morning and me having an awful headache.  I also get the "I feel like I am swimming around" feeling like when you have a really bad head cold.  This has happened several times and has only occurred while drinking.  This week I drank a beer a night with dinner and every morning woke up the same way, and had the eye symptoms twice.  I though I was getting sick but I know now it's the beer.  Please Help!  Should I just talk to my doctor about it?

[JodyMae]

I actually saw a allergist when I was a bit younger and he asked if I drank..I said yes but only beer... He ran a Q tip down my arm without pushing down and my arm turned red immediatly ... he told me I am allergic to hops... been drinking beer for years now but recently my body broke out in a rash and we thought it was due to a new med I was using ... been on steroids and benadryl for a few days now and I seem fine until I drink a beer and my body just starts itching ..especially my hands

[bornajerseygirl]

Hi, sorry to hear about your issues with beer, I know how frustrating it can be! I am allergic to sulfa (sulfanemites). It started from an antibiotic with the sulfa base in it and rash everywhere! Its horrible, like itching from the inside out.

I have noticed more and more that when I drink certain beers, I get the same thing, and like a sunburn on my face! Feverish and totally just icky!

I would check for a sulfa allergy! Wine can also have the same affect, some wines anyway. They have more sulfa's than others.