Have You Developed an Alcohol Allergy?
There are times that the body is unable to break down alcohol contents leading you to feel uncomfortable feelings associated with nasal congestion and flushed skin after drinking alcohol. When you experience these general symptoms, then you are experiencing an allergic reaction to alcohol. Along with this, an alcohol test using the alcohol testing kits would also confirm a positive result of alcohol intake. Depending on the brand of alcohol, heavy drinkers may suffer from this situation especially for new beginners who have low tolerance to alcoholic contents like grape, yeast, hop, barley, and wheat. According to studies, even as little 1 ml of pure alcohol or a 10 ml of wine is enough to provoke alcohol allergies to people with low alcohol tolerance.
Allergy Test Kit
What is alcohol allergy?
Alcohol allergy is defined as the adverse reaction of the body upon ingesting alcohol. This results when the alcohol that is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract is not oxidized through the liver because of the low level of the Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH), the primary enzyme needed to break down and metabolize the contents of alcohol. The rate of allergic reaction in alcohol actually depends on the chemicals and ingredients present therein which also triggers corresponding side effects to the body’s defense for allergic reactions.
How do you Develop Alcohol Allergy?
There are many ways on which a person may develop an alcohol allergy. However, the reason for your allergy is not primarily because of the alcohol itself. Developing allergic reactions to alcohol happens like allergic reactions to foods. This may be because of the ingredients involved, fermentation of yeast contents, and the generation of alcohol. The following are some instances on which you can develop alcohol allergy.
- Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfites
Allergic reaction to the sulfur dioxide and sulfite content of the alcohol is the most common instant of alcohol allergy. Sulfur dioxide and sulfites are basically found at high concentration in cask wines and bottled wine, and are much higher in white wines. These are basically used to preserve wines from turning into vinegar as well as maintaining longer shelf life; however, they are also the main reason for some asthmatic reactions in which a person may immediately start wheezing after drinking one glass. That is why most wines bear labels informing the presence of sulfur dioxide and sulfites to warn customers before they are able to purchase them.
- Histamine
Histamines are proteins that are naturally present in wines. There may be more histamine in red wine when compared to white wines but they are basically formed from the fermentation of yeast. Allergic reaction to histamines may be associated with itching, hives, sneezing, and wheezing which occurs on or after the person drinks alcohol.
- Beer and Vodka
The yeast content in beer is the one that generates the allergic reaction to the person who drinks it. The allergic reaction to vodka; however, is brought by its ingredients like molasses, rye, wheat, potatoes, grain, soybeans, and grapes. These ingredients may also be found in foods that is why if you inhibit allergic reaction to foods containing them may also mean that you are allergic to alcoholic beverages.
General Symptoms of Alcohol Allergy
Allergic reaction to ethyl alcohol itself is relatively rare, but the symptoms must be taken seriously. Any person, who continues to drink alcohol despite some allergic reactions, may be at high risk for developing infections leading to fatal diseases. In some cases, especially for first timers, the symptoms of alcohol allergy may last for only a couple of hours as initial reaction for the first alcohol intake. When the body becomes immune due to successive drinking, the symptoms may not come back anymore. The following are the common symptoms of alcohol allergy:
- Nasal congestion
- Flushing or red pigmentation on skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat which cause difficulty in breathing
- Heartburn
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
While the symptoms of alcohol allergy may only last for several hours or a couple of days, alcohol test are conducted at schools, in the workplace, or even at home to confirm positivity in a suspected person for some safety reasons. Hence, if you think you are safe after these symptoms are gone, with the presence of alcohol testing kits in souk, the process of alcohol testing has become even easier and faster. This includes alcohol testing though the use of breath alcohol tester; saliva alcohol tests kits, and digital alcohol tester. The alcohol testing kits follow the federal mandate of 0.02% cut-off level of blood alcohol concentration which makes it reliable and accurate. Hence, receiving alcohol test may also mean the need to address the alcohol problems before everything gets worse.
Resource:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcohol-intolerance/DS01172
http://www.foodreactions.org/intolerance/alcohol/index.html
http://factoidz.com/how-you-can-be-allergic-to-alcohol/
http://www.alcohol-test-info.com/
