Sulfur dioxide is another closely related chemical that can trigger reactions in some people. 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. Gustatory rhinitis is a type of nonallergic rhinitis that’s caused by eating certain foods, usually spicy or hot ones. Drinking alcohol can also cause a gustatory rhinitis flare-up. In one 2005 Swedish study, those with asthma, bronchitis and hay fever were more apt to sneeze, get a runny nose or have “lower-airway symptoms” after a drink, especially women.

Sulfites intolerance

But drinking too much alcohol of any color can still make you feel bad the next morning. If you suspect that someone has alcohol poisoning — even if you don’t see the classic symptoms — get medical help right away. Hangovers after a single night’s drinking go away on their own. Talk with your healthcare professional if you’re concerned that frequent heavy drinking may lead to serious problems, such as alcohol withdrawal. However sneezing after drinking alcohol unpleasant, most hangovers go away on their own, though they can last up to 24 hours. If you choose to drink alcohol, doing so responsibly can help you stay away from hangovers.

ausea Or Vomiting After Few Drinks

You may also have a food sensitivity rather than an allergy. The second reason why alcohol can cause sneezing and congestion is that wine, beer, and spirits contain histamine, a compound that elicits an allergic response. Of all alcoholic beverages, red wines usually have the highest histamine content. When you drink alcohol, your liver first breaks down alcohol into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde. Your body uses an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase, or ALDH2, to break down acetaldehyde. However, in some people, ALDH2 does not work correctly, resulting in alcohol intolerance.

Alcohol Intolerance vs. Allergy

This incomplete processing of the alcohol can cause the body to react by producing symptoms that reflect an allergy to the alcohol. People with this gene deficiency suffer two-fold from allergic symptoms to alcohol. First, the body produces histamines in response to the presence of the alcohol that the body is unable to digest. If you have strange symptoms soon after drinking, your body may not be processing alcohol properly. Dilated blood vessels can cause inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages. This can lead to sneezing as well as a runny or stuffy nose.

How can you treat alcohol allergy?

• Unfortunately, the only treatment for alcohol intolerance is avoiding alcohol.
• Your body creates antibodies to fight the allergen the way it would a pathogen.
• A single alcoholic drink is enough to trigger a hangover for some people, while others may drink heavily and not have a hangover.
• That’s because beer contains histamine, produced during fermentation (yeast converts sugars to alcohol).

In some cases, they might use an oral challenge test to diagnose an allergy or intolerance. In this procedure, they will ask you to consume a sample of your suspected trigger. If you find that certain drinks trigger your sneezing, try switching to a different type of alcohol. For example, if wine makes you sneeze, try drinking vodka or gin instead. Likewise, if beer makes you sneeze, try drinking vodka or gin instead. And if cocktails make you sneeze, try making your own with fresh fruit juices instead of pre-made mixes.

If you have a pattern of suddenly feeling very sick after consuming alcohol, you may have developed sudden onset alcohol intolerance. Your body may also start to reject alcohol later in life because as you age and your body changes, the way you respond to alcohol can also change. Ok, so now that we’ve answered the question – why does my nose get stuffy when I drink?