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Alcohol, Asthma and Allergies Don't Mix
Alcohol can trigger or worsen existing allergies according to
experts
URL of this
page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_118397.html
By Mary
Elizabeth Dallas
Sunday, November 6, 2011
SUNDAY, Nov. 6
(HealthDay News) -- Alcoholic beverages can trigger allergic reactions or
exacerbate existing allergies, experts warn.
Though rare,
some people have allergies to the alcohol itself, while others are allergic
to various substances in alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine, Dr. Sami
Bahna, past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology (ACAAI) and chief of Allergy and Immunology at Louisiana State
University Medical School in Shreveport, La., said in an ACAAI news release.
Symptoms may include red, itchy eyes, nasal congestion, upset stomach and
difficulty breathing.
Alcohol allergy triggers
can include various ingredients in beer and wine, including barley, ethanol,
grapes, malt, hops, wheat and yeast. Other potential allergens are sometimes
added during processing, including egg whites, which may be used during the
filtering process, and sulfites, which occur naturally in wine but also may
be added as a preservative.
Allergic
reactions to an alcoholic beverage can range in severity from a minor rash
to a life threatening asthma attack and anaphylaxis. The researchers pointed
out alcohol could also aggravate existing allergies.
"Individuals
can be allergic to the alcohol itself or an added ingredient, but even when
people are not allergic, they may not realize that alcohol can worsen
existing allergy symptoms, particularly food allergies," noted Bahna. "In
these cases, the study pointed out, avoiding alcoholic beverages is the best
way to avoid potential reactions."
Wine contains
chemicals called tyramines, which can cause headaches, he added.
Bahna is
slated to discuss case studies of alcohol-related allergic reactions Sunday
at the annual meeting of ACAAI in Boston. He also pointed out that exposure
to tobacco smoke can worsen asthma and allergies by making smokers more
sensitive to airborne substances, like pollen and mold spores.
"People with
allergies and asthma should be especially careful to avoid any exposure to
tobacco smoke," Bahna said.
Anyone who
suspects they had a reaction to alcohol, food or tobacco should see an
allergist, Bahna recommended.
"In most
cases, simply understanding what triggers the allergic reaction will help
the person find an alternative drink to enjoy," Bahna said.
SOURCE:
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, news release, Nov. 6,
2011
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