Sneezing When You Drink Wine? 5 Common Culprits and How to Avoid Them

sneezing when drunk

She has tried different types of alcohol — vodka, whiskey or tequila — but she breaks out in hives and a fever. After just a few “tiny sips,” thinking she will be fine, Brown said she ends up “going down the same dreadful path Jack Daniels led me down.” Dec. 24, 2012— — Kristin Brown loved to drink – perhaps partied a little too much when she was in her 20s, but when she hit her 30s, alcohol suddenly hit her the wrong way.

Your doctor may recommend avoiding foods and beverages containing alcohol, taking medication before consuming alcoholic drinks, or other treatments depending on the cause of your symptoms. If your symptoms are caused by sinus problems, you may need to see an allergist or immunologist for tests and treatments. In some cases, symptoms may be the result of an underlying condition that can be managed with proper medical treatment. For example, a person with histamine intolerance can experience adverse reactions when drinking alcohol because their body is unable to process the histamine in certain types of drinks. In this case, avoiding these types of drinks and/or medications that contain histamine can help reduce the symptoms. This inflammation can trigger a wide range of symptoms like nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, heartburn, and even headaches.

Drinking plenty of fluids will help to thin out the mucus in your nose and make it less likely to trigger a sneeze. Preservatives and other additives in beer, such as sodium benzoate or tartrazine, can also cause sensitivities or allergies. While talking about the breaking down of alcohol in body, there is an enzyme called as aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). This enzyme is produced from a gene but when, this gene is absent in the body, there is a lack of enzymes which leads to breaking down of alcohol but in an incomplete way. People can also have an oral allergy syndrome — a reaction to fresh fruit and vegetables that may be used as a garnish or a mixer in a cocktail, according to Bassett. Hazelnut or almond in liquor can also be a problem for those with an allergy to nuts.

Skin, Rash, Burns

  • If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after consuming alcohol and you are unsure of the cause, it is recommended to raise your concerns with your doctor.
  • While true beer allergies are rare, it is possible to be allergic to one of these ingredients.
  • It is usually caused by genetic variations in the ALDH2 gene, which produces the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol.
  • Even if people don’t consume enough alcohol to cause a hangover, they can still get a headache from drinking.
  • Alcoholic drinks have a natural vasodilatory effect which expands blood vessels.
  • Sunset Alcohol Flush Support is a natural supplement that works specifically to reduce all of these symptoms, including a stuffy nose after drinking alcohol.

Consulting with a healthcare professional is recommended if one frequently encounters symptoms of histamine intolerance. Histamine intolerance occurs when an individual has too much histamine in their body. It is not a sensitivity to histamine but rather an indication that the person has accumulated an excessive amount. Symptoms of histamine intolerance can include sneezing, hives, headaches, nausea, and digestive issues—similar to a common allergic response. This genetic condition means that you experience negative symptoms when drinking alcohol because your body is unable to process it properly. Because the body can’t break down alcohol, it’s toxic byproducts flood the system and accumulate with each drink you have.

sneezing when drunk

Effective Treatment and Management Strategies for Cameron Erosions

To reduce the risk of having a reaction, look for labels on alcoholic beverages that indicate lower levels of sulfites or those labeled as “sulfite-free”. In general, red wines typically have higher sulfite concentrations than white wines. Additionally, you can opt for wine alternatives such as mead or beer which typically contain lower levels of sulfites than wine. One of the most common alcohol-related allergic reactions is to wines containing sulfites. Sulfites are used as a preservative in wine and other alcoholic beverages, but can lead to an adverse reaction in some people.

Alcohol & Its Breaking Down in the Body

sneezing when drunk

As mentioned, a true allergy to alcohol is extremely rare, though cases of skin reactions have happened. Now sneezing when drunk that you know the causes of stuffy nose on drinking alcohol, you need to be aware of the possible treatment options to get rid of the stuffy nose. Some allergies develop over time and when it comes to alcohol, few things are bound to occur. While talking about the consumption of alcohol, you need to watch out for the gradual development of the nasal infections. Initially, it may not bother much, but eventually the nasal mucus can get thicker, causing more problems. Stuffy nose problem is also termed as sinus congestion which often occurs due to presence of preservatives like sulfur dioxide.

Surprising side effects of alcohol

This will help reduce the number of histamines in your drink and make it less likely to trigger a sneeze. 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. If your favourite tipple leaves your cheeks burning, then yes – you may well have an alcohol sensitivity or intolerance, says nutritionist Jade Taylor, of Kitchen Home.

Allergic reactions to ingredients

  • When this blood-brain barrier isn’t protected as it should be, the brain is more susceptible to headache-inducing triggers.
  • For instance, some individuals may be sensitive to the sulfites present in wine or the hops in beer, resulting in an allergic reaction and subsequent sneezing.
  • Your nasal chambers can fall prey to inflammation and itching leading to and problems related with stuffy nose or sinus congestion.
  • It is important to talk to a doctor to get the proper diagnosis and treatment plan for histamine intolerance.
  • Beer also contains histamines which could cause a reaction in some people, including sneezing and stuffy nose after drinking.
  • When someone suddenly starts sneezing after drinking a few pints, it’s time for them to take a break and re-assess their drinking habits.

Additionally, those with sensitivities can opt for organic or biodynamic wines that are free from added sulfites. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after consuming wine, it could be because you are allergic to one or more components found in the beverage. The most common allergens found in wine include histamine and sulfites, but some people may also have an allergic reaction to the grapes used to make the wine, yeast, and other additives.

Sneeze attacks

To understand what causes stuffy nose on drinking alcohol, it is necessary to understand certain facts. You may get stuffy nose owing to the presence of some preservatives in alcohol. Many times, some allergic reactions can make you more sensitive towards alcohol intake.