In this article, we’ll explore why drinking alcohol commonly leads to a stuffed up nose for so many people. More importantly, you’ll discover actionable ways to stop alcohol from inflaming nasal passages so you can avoid the dreaded stuffy nose hangover. It may be due to an allergy to various ingredients in alcoholic beverages, such as grains, wheat, barley, hops, sulfites and yeast. Additionally, alcohol can cause a histamine reaction, triggered by the body’s immune system when it comes into contact with the allergen. It is best to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis if you suspect an alcohol allergy.
It turns alcohol into acetic acid, a main component of vinegar, in your liver. Some people have a variant in the gene that codes for ALDH2. In most cases, alcohol-induced sneezing does not worsen over time.
Alcohol intolerance
When it comes to allergies to any component of an alcoholic drink, you must never consume it. Another type of allergen, lipid transfer protein (LTP), is found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and cereals, and can also be present in some alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks high in sulphites and/or histamine include wine (red, white, rosé and sparkling), cider and beer. Some varieties of gin and vodka, as well as ‘natural wines’ are low in sulphites. However, asthma experts warn sufferers to choose their drinks carefully, because even low-sulphite wines will contain some sulphites. Depending on stephanie thurrott the allergy severity, a person may treat symptoms with over-the-counter medications, such as oral antihistamines, if the reaction is mild.
- What we understand as a ‘hangover’ is made up of a particular set of symptoms – usually a thumping headache, nausea, intense thirst, tiredness and brain fog.
- Others think that the light source stimulates your optic nerve, which in turn stimulates your trigeminal nerve and causes you to sneeze.
- Alcohol increases urine production, so it’s true that dehydration can often contribute to the hurt of a hangover.
- Common sulfites include potassium bisulfite or potassium metabisulfite.
- This can often seem to happen out of nowhere and can be quite alarming.
What is Sudden Alcohol Intolerance?
When ADH levels drop, as they often do with age, alcohol lingers in your bloodstream longer. This can make the toxic effects of alcohol stronger and last longer, even if you’re drinking the same amount you always have. The good news is that alcohol intolerance isn’t too much of a concern. The bad news is that you can’t really do much about it, or that unwelcome nasal congestion that comes along with it, aside from just not drinking alcohol.
Alcohol allergy vs. intolerance
Alcohol suppresses rapid eye movement, or REM sleep, which is an essential restorative stage of sleep your body requires. And since alcohol is a diuretic, you’ll probably visit the bathroom more frequently at night, which can significantly hinder sleep. Alcohol can deprive you of the energy and mental focus you need to go through the following day.
In particular, if you have developed an intolerance or allergy to wine, then this could lead to more severe reactions such as anaphylaxis. Symptoms of a wine allergy include rashes, why do i sneeze when i drink alcohol nasal congestion, wheezing or a tingling sensation around the mouth and throat. As a result, their bodies produce inactive ALDH enzymes that are unable to properly break down the alcohol into acetic vinegar.
When To Call the Doctor
The sneezing reflex after drinking alcohol is primarily caused by vasodilation, which increases the sensitivity of the nerve endings in your nasal passages. Some people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma experience pain after drinking alcohol. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that can affect your lymphatic system. Alcohol intolerance is caused by a genetic condition in which the body can’t break down alcohol efficiently.
If you suspect an allergy or food sensitivity is to blame, it’s worth getting tested or consulting with a healthcare provider to identify the specific cause. You see, as we age, our bodies produce less of an important enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). This enzyme plays a key role in breaking down alcohol in your system, turning it into a less toxic substance for your body to process more easily.
An allergist is a special type of doctor that focuses on allergic conditions. In some cases, reactions can be triggered by a true allergy to a grain such as corn, wheat or rye or to another substance in alcoholic beverages. For many people, wine is the drink that causes them to sneeze. 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. Everything we consume is broken down by enzymes in our bodies.
Be aware, however, that labels might not list all ingredients. Alcohol intolerance occurs when your body doesn’t have the proper enzymes to break down (metabolize) the toxins in alcohol. This is caused by inherited (genetic) traits most often found in Asians. If sneezing impacts your quality of life, talk to your doctor about ways to reduce or eliminate the problem.