Why You Get Stuffy Nose After Drinking Alcohol and How to Stop It

Researchers are still trying to uncover the exact link, but some studies suggest alcohol makes asthma symptoms worse and can even lead to asthma attacks. Wine-intolerant persons were also more likely to report intolerance to beer and alcohol in general. Taking Pepcid before drinking is a popular strategy for preventing the alcohol flush reaction. Pepcid is a histamine-2 (H2) blocker that can reduce symptoms of alcohol intolerance like flushing, allowing people to drink more before their reaction forces them to stop. People with a beer allergy will likely experience symptoms similar to other allergic reactions, such as abdominal Alcoholics Anonymous pain, bloating, and chest tightness.

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In conclusion, the exact reasons behind why some people sneeze after drinking alcohol are not definitively known. The most commonly proposed explanations include congestion, allergies, nerve stimulation, and genetic factors. If this phenomenon causes significant distress or worsens over time, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out sneezing after drinking alcohol any underlying issues. Research shows that around 8% of people experience symptoms like nasal congestion, flushed skin, or even headaches while drinking wine. If any of this sounds familiar to you, you might be sensitive to one of wine’s many components.

• Additionally, sensitivity to specific ingredients in beer, such as wheat or barley, may be the culprit.
• These symptoms can occur almost immediately after consuming beer and should be considered severe and potentially life-threatening.
• “Alcohol may in some people aggregate skin conditions like urticaria (hives),” says Nurse Shaw.

Supplements That Can Help With Alcohol Intolerance

Some people are more sensitive to histamine than others – if you’re prone to allergies or have a histamine intolerance, the histamine content of wine might be the cause of these symptoms. We all know wine comes with its fair share of effects, some desirable and others less so! Growing up, I always knew when my father had enjoyed a glass of red wine. Now, I find myself experiencing the same reaction, so let’s explore why it happens and what you can do about it. If you find that certain foods make you sneeze, such as strawberries or shellfish, try avoiding them before you drink. This will help to reduce the number of histamines in your system and make it less likely that they’ll trigger a sneeze.

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Depending on the allergy severity, a person may treat symptoms with over-the-counter medications, such as oral antihistamines, if the reaction is mild. If a person is allergic to a particular ingredient found in some drinks, they could switch to drinks that do not contain it. However, some people with Hodgkin lymphoma experience pain in their lymph nodes after consuming alcohol. The enzyme diamine oxidase breaks down histamine that people consume from foods and beverages. If people do not produce enough of this enzyme, they may not break down histamine efficiently, which may lead to intolerance symptoms. An alcohol allergy can occur when a person with an alcohol allergy comes into contact with alcohol, which is also known as ethanol.

Physical Signs You’re Drinking Too Much

A study assessed the histamine levels in 17 beers, and the results ranged from 21 https://ecosoberhouse.com/ to 305 micrograms per litre. Red wines generally have higher histamine content than white wines, with levels ranging from 60 to 3,800 micrograms per litre in reds and 3 to 120 micrograms per litre in whites. While there are no specific home remedies for alcohol-induced sneezing, individuals may find relief by using saline nasal sprays or performing nasal irrigation to soothe nasal passages. There is no surefire way to prevent alcohol-induced sneezing, but individuals can try to minimize exposure to triggers such as allergens, intense temperature changes, or known sensitivities. Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition that makes them more prone to sneezing after consuming alcohol.

However, if you have alcohol intolerance, you must talk to your doctor about which alcohols are best for you to drink. This is likely because wine contains histamines, which trigger allergies. If you’re allergic to wine, you may notice that you sneeze more after drinking it. While nobody feels great after having one too many drinks, somebody with an alcohol intolerance may feel sick right away. “The first sign of alcohol intolerance is usually the general feeling of malaise and discomfort or not feeling well from as little as one drink,” Mansour says. This symptom alone can make drinking unappealing, and you may want to talk to your doctor if it keeps happening.

While true allergies to alcohol are rare, it is possible to have an allergy or sensitivity to specific ingredients in beer, such as grains, chemicals, or preservatives. These allergies or sensitivities can cause a range of symptoms, including sneezing, wheezing, hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in rare cases, even anaphylaxis. An alcohol intolerance, or ingredients like histamines in alcohol cause an allergy-like reaction in drinkers, swelling the the mucosal membranes in the nasal passages and airways. Avoiding problematic ingredients or taking a supplement to reduce acetaldehyde buildup and intolerance symptoms can help prevent nasal congestion from drinking. This can occur due to changes in enzyme production, such as reduced levels of aldehyde dehydrogenase, or due to other health conditions like liver disease or medication side effects.

• Beer contains many ingredients, including water, malt barley, brewer’s yeast, hops, and assorted flavorings.
• Preservatives and other additives in beer, such as sodium benzoate or tartrazine, can also cause sensitivities or allergies.
• While an intolerance can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, with an allergy, there is a chance anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction, can occur.
• Once you know what’s triggering your symptoms, you can make more informed choices about what—and how much—you drink, so you can enjoy alcohol without the unpleasant surprises.
• Avoid sneezing into the air or your hands, as it can be unhygienic.
• To understand what causes stuffy nose on drinking alcohol, it is necessary to understand certain facts.
• If you find yourself sneezing after consuming specific alcoholic beverages, the culprit could be an allergy to certain ingredients in those drinks.

Scientists have not yet identified the reason for this association. If you have histamine intolerance, you may experience worse symptoms after consuming alcohol with a high histamine content. A histamine is a chemical that the body releases in response to allergy, inflammation, or injury. If you have histamine intolerance, you lack a digestive enzyme called diamine oxidase, which helps your body break down excess histamine.