Tag Archive 'Alcohol Allergy'

Sep 28 2010

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Asian Alcohol Allergy- The Bare Facts

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Alcohol Allergy Symptoms

Asian flush is a common condition that is more popularly known as plain alcohol allergy. As this term suggests, it is a medical condition that becomes obvious to the naked eye when a sufferer drinks alcohol. If you have reason to think that you may have this ailment, there are a number of things that you need to know about it.

#1- Asians aren’t the only ones affected.

There are studies that confirm that half of all Asians have this allergic condition. You can easily be misled into believing that only Asians suffer from it. The truth of the matter is that people from other racial origins can have it too. To find out if you might be one of the thousands with the condition, try drinking a shot or two. If any symptoms come out after a few minutes, you are likely to have allergy to alcohol.

Regardless of who has it, the condition can be a source of embarrassment and frustration. You don’t want to look like a cherry in front of your friends or business associates when you’re on a night out. The most common way to avoid it is not to drink at all but that would mean missing out on all the fun.

#2- The symptoms can be pretty unnerving.

The first thing that people will probably notice is reddening. The symptom is especially prominent on the facial region. This is not the only thing that’ll come out though. The redness can be splotchy in some areas, plus, raised rashes can come out. You’ll soon start to feel itchy and warm all over. Aside from skin manifestations, some other alcohol allergy symptoms are rapid breathing, dizziness and headaches. Your pulse can also quicken.

Some people prefer not to pay attention to the condition. This isn’t the best course of action though. You will feel a great deal of discomfort with these symptoms and there is a huge chance that you will not be able to keep your hands from scratching all over. Even if you can hold back from doing so, people around you will still notice your unusual appearance.

#3- The cause is biological in nature.

Drinkers who can get away with several glasses a day have their biological heritage to thank. This is because alcohol is treated in much the same way as other food and drinks by the body. People who can process alcohol don’t get allergies. What happens in those who have an allergy to alcohol is that the one crucial enzyme needed for processing alcohol is missing in them. The poisonous substance known as acetaldehyde therefore remains unprocessed.

Because the root cause is biological, it isn’t very easy to find an excellent solution for it. Some sufferers claim that aspirin or other forms of medication not originally intended for treating Asian flush have reduced their symptoms. Experts maintain though that these medications are not medically proven to cure the condition and may even do more harm than good by creating false confidence in sufferers.

There’s nothing great about an alcohol red face allergy. If you have some symptoms showing though, you owe it to yourself to find out as much as possible about the condition. Being informed is the best start to finding a sensible and safe solution.


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Sep 27 2010

Profile Image of admin
admin

Asian Alcohol Allergy- The Bare Facts

Filed under Personal Health

Alcohol Allergy Symptoms

Asian flush is a common condition that is more popularly known as plain alcohol allergy. As this term suggests, it is a medical condition that becomes obvious to the naked eye when a sufferer drinks alcohol. If you have reason to think that you may have this ailment, there are a number of things that you need to know about it.

#1- Asians aren’t the only ones affected.

There are studies that confirm that half of all Asians have this allergic condition. You can easily be misled into believing that only Asians suffer from it. The truth of the matter is that people from other racial origins can have it too. To find out if you might be one of the thousands with the condition, try drinking a shot or two. If any symptoms come out after a few minutes, you are likely to have allergy to alcohol.

Regardless of who has it, the condition can be a source of embarrassment and frustration. You don’t want to look like a cherry in front of your friends or business associates when you’re on a night out. The most common way to avoid it is not to drink at all but that would mean missing out on all the fun.

#2- The symptoms can be pretty unnerving.

The first thing that people will probably notice is reddening. The symptom is especially prominent on the facial region. This is not the only thing that’ll come out though. The redness can be splotchy in some areas, plus, raised rashes can come out. You’ll soon start to feel itchy and warm all over. Aside from skin manifestations, some other alcohol allergy symptoms are rapid breathing, dizziness and headaches. Your pulse can also quicken.

Some people prefer not to pay attention to the condition. This isn’t the best course of action though. You will feel a great deal of discomfort with these symptoms and there is a huge chance that you will not be able to keep your hands from scratching all over. Even if you can hold back from doing so, people around you will still notice your unusual appearance.

#3- The cause is biological in nature.

Drinkers who can get away with several glasses a day have their biological heritage to thank. This is because alcohol is treated in much the same way as other food and drinks by the body. People who can process alcohol don’t get allergies. What happens in those who have an allergy to alcohol is that the one crucial enzyme needed for processing alcohol is missing in them. The poisonous substance known as acetaldehyde therefore remains unprocessed.

Because the root cause is biological, it isn’t very easy to find an excellent solution for it. Some sufferers claim that aspirin or other forms of medication not originally intended for treating Asian flush have reduced their symptoms. Experts maintain though that these medications are not medically proven to cure the condition and may even do more harm than good by creating false confidence in sufferers.

There’s nothing great about an alcohol red face allergy. If you have some symptoms showing though, you owe it to yourself to find out as much as possible about the condition. Being informed is the best start to finding a sensible and safe solution.


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Feb 28 2010

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Alcohol Allergy

Filed under Personal Health

If you truly have an Alcohol Allergy then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies. Doctor Vincent Crump of the Auckland Allergy Clinic suggests that it is more often than not, the other ingredients that cause the allergic reaction such as yeast and sulfur dioxide instead of the alcohol itself.

It is unknown how may people suffer from allergies to alcohol products because many of the normal symptoms associated with drinking alcohol are also associated with allergic reaction. Redding of the skin on the face and neck, itchy eyes and nose, hives, loss of motor functions, vomiting, and eczema are typical reactions to the contents of wine and beer and also symptoms of allergic alcohol reactions.

Some people of Asian descent experience an unusual flushing reaction after ingestion of alcohol. This is believed to be cause by a genetic disorder. The body is unable to break down alcohol properly. It has been suggested that anyone who experiences a flushing reaction after drinking alcohol could be at risk for cancer of the esophagus, liver disease, and other alcohol-related conditions.

Sulfur Dioxide has been added to wines since the Roman times. Is inhibits yeast growth, preventing the wine from turning into vinegar thus giving wine a longer shelf life. Sulfur Dioxide also helps to give aged wine the its many distinct flavors. There are limits to the amount additional sulfur dioxide winemakers are permitted to add. Wines containing more that 25 parts per million of sulfur dioxide are required to be listed on the wine label.

Allergies to yeast found in wine and beer, although rare, may cause allergic reaction and is usually manifested in the form of hives.

Red wine contains more histamine than White wines. Taking antihistamines prior to drinking wines may help reduce the allergic effects of histamines. Fruit wines contain lower levels of histamines than wines made of grapes.

Egg white is commonly used in the fining process. Fining is the process where unwanted organisms are remove by the addition of egg whites or bentonite. The solids fall out of suspension and are removed, thus creating a clear wine. None of the egg white or bentonite is supposed to remain in the wine after the fining process is completed so egg whites and bentonite are not listed on the label as part of the wine ingredients.

If you are unsure what is giving you problems you could try the Food Challenge Test. Avoid all allergy causing foods and drinks for several weeks. The doctor will then give you a pill of each suspected agent one at a time under close supervision. If symptoms appear within two hours after the taking the pill then you have an Alcohol Allergy and will need to avoid it.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with treating the allergy symptoms such as Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Quercitin.

Vitamin E accelerates wound healing and aids in the functioning of the immune system. Vitamin E can be taken internally or applied as a lotion to the affected areas of the skin.

Aloe Vera will help rejuvenate and tone skin all over. A naturally cooling gel, the Aloe Vera botanical ingredients work together to stimulate the blood circulation and naturally soften the skin.

Quercitin is a well-known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms.

Always consult your doctor before using this allergy information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

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