Don’t Mix Alcohol, Allergies And Asthma

Experts warn that alcoholic drinks may cause hypersensitive reactions or exacerbate the subsisting allergies. Some asthma patients come to know the hard truth behind consuming alcoholic drinks can trigger coughing, wheezing symptoms of n asthmatic attack.

Although unusual, few people have hypersensitivity to alcohol itself, whereas some show hypersensitivity to several particles present in alcoholic beverages like wine and beer as reported in a news release of ACAAI by the chief of Allergy and Immunology at Louisiana State University medical School in La., and the former president, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) - Dr. Sami Bahna. The symptoms may comprise itchy and red eyes, upset stomach, trouble breathing and nasal congestion.

Triggers may consist of several ingredients in wine and beer such as ethanol, barley, malt, grapes, wheat, yeast and hops. Sometimes some potential allergens are added during handling, containing egg whites, which may be utilized during the filtration, and sulfites occur in wine naturally but may also be combined as a preservative. The additive present in wine which is sulfite has been related with triggering asthmatic responses.

Women reported the maximum asthmatic reactions, along with people consuming oral steroids, those who had their asthma attack in childhood, and those who had consulted some other health care provider for asthma. However, there were several other hypersensitive symptoms related with alcohol such as itching, coughing, facial swelling, eczema and stomach upset, but asthma was among the most serious symptom which was reported frequently.

Allergies to an alcoholic drink can result in complication from a petty rash to a menacing anaphylaxis and asthma attack. The scientists indicated that alcohol could possibly exacerbate existing hypersensitivities.

“A person might be hypersensitive to the alcohol or an extra ingredient, but people may not understand that alcoholic drinks may aggravate the existing symptoms of allergy, especially food allergies, even when they are not allergic,” said Bahna. “In such cases, the report showed that the best way is to avoid the alcoholic drinks to avert potential reactions”.

Wine consists of some chemicals known as tyramines, which may lead to headaches, he noted.

Bahna is scheduled up to talk about the case studies of the allergic reactions related to alcohol in Boston at the ACAAI’s annual meeting. He also indicated that tobacco exposure can aggravate asthma & allergic reactions by increasing the sensitivity of the smokers to the airborne pollutants like mold spores and pollen.

“Patients with asthma and allergies should be significantly cautious to avert any contact with tobacco smoke”, said Bahna. The researchers state that, although the attacks caused by alcohol are not generally very severe, their reports pointed out that the asthma patients must be careful about drinking.

Bahna recommended that anyone who has a doubt in mind about their reaction to food, alcohol or tobacco should contact an allergist. He also added that in maximum cases, simply observing by what the allergic reaction is triggered will help the individual in finding an alternative beverage to enjoy.