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

Some people may be more sensitive to the tannins than others, making them more likely to experience this reaction after drinking a glass of red wine. To reduce the likelihood of sneezing from red wine, some experts recommend choosing wines with lower levels of tannins. This can be done by avoiding heavily-oaked wines or those with a higher alcohol content.

• Or, maybe you’re sensitive to sulfites or other chemicals in alcoholic beverages, resulting in nausea or headaches.
• In this case, avoiding these types of drinks and/or medications that contain histamine can help reduce the symptoms.
• Alcohol intolerance can also cause a rapid onset of a throbbing headache or migraine.
• What’s more concerning, however, is that some medications can lead to uncomfortable (even dangerous) side effects when combined with alcohol.

Don’t Let Your Next Happy Hour Be A Total Bummer: Check For Allergies Beforehand!

Alcohol intolerance is a temporary, but pretty uncomfortable, reaction to alcohol — with nasal congestion and flushed skin being the two most common side effects. It happens if your ALDH2 enzymes (remember those?) aren’t particularly effective at their job, or if your body just doesn’t make enough ALDH2 enzyme in the first place. In either case, the result is less acetaldehyde being broken down into acetate. In contrast to sulfite intolerance, alcoholic hepatitis is a liver disease that occurs when the body cannot break down alcohol efficiently.

How Can I Prevent Hangxiety?

For these reasons, it is important for winemakers to be aware of the possible effects that histamines may have on some people. As such, The TTTB has proposed a change to the labeling requirements which will require winemakers to list any ingredients that may contain histamines on the label. Alcohol and food allergies can cause serious health problems, yet many people do not take the necessary precautions to prevent them. Alcohol causes an increased permeability in cells, making it easier for undigested particles to enter the bloodstream and causing inflammation. If you have milder symptoms, you may have a food sensitivity or intolerance rather than a true allergy. This can still be uncomfortable but is not an immune system response and is less serious.

Related Content

If the symptoms of a hangover or hangxiety are severe—or if you are having shaking, tremors, a fever, changes in consciousness, or seizures—get prompt medical attention. Drinking a large amount of alcohol is more likely to cause withdrawal effects. The effects can vary among individuals, as some people metabolize the byproducts of alcohol more efficiently than others. A combination of the toxic effects of alcohol and the withdrawal from the effects of alcohol causes a hangover.

The body’s vital signs such as heart rate or blood pressure can change dramatically or unpredictably, creating a risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. You may experience anxiety-related emotions while under the influence of alcohol and/or as the effects of alcohol begin to wear off. The reason your nose gets congested when you drink wine is related to the effects alcohol has on your blood vessels. We may never know for sure but that doesn’t mean we can’t sneezing after alcohol enjoy a glass of vino every now and then. If you suffer from this perplexing phenomenon, just remember that you’re not alone – and there are worse things in life! Besides, maybe your sneezes are just nature’s way of making sure you don’t have too much fun ;).

Some doctors prefer phenobarbital over benzodiazepines to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It is usually difficult for people who drink to be completely honest about how much they’ve been drinking. You should report your drinking history straightforwardly to your doctor so you can be treated safely for withdrawal symptoms. If you have withdrawal symptoms from drinking, then you have consumed enough alcohol to damage other organs.

Sometimes it’s an alcohol allergy, not alcohol intolerance

Dr. Adkinson recommends that people who are prone to alcohol-related allergic reactions should avoid consuming these fruits as well as alcoholic beverages containing sulfites. He adds that the chances of having an adverse reaction to those foods or drinks is one out of every hundred. While the risk is low, those who experience such reactions should reduce or avoid alcohol and sulfite-containing foods altogether. 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. Symptoms of this kind of allergy include sneezing, itching, hives and difficulty breathing.

Alcohol withdrawal

Histamine intolerance is caused by a lack of an enzyme called diamine oxidase (DAO). This causes the body to be unable to break down and clear out excess histamines in the body. The best treatment of allergies is to avoid the substance that triggers a reaction wherever possible.

Another common symptom you may experience is a stuffy nose or nasal congestion. If you’re allergic to alcohol, you may experience hives, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. If you experience these symptoms sneezing after drinking alcohol, you must see a doctor as you may need to be treated for an allergy.

Additionally, adding foods with anti-inflammatory properties to your diet can help reduce any irritation caused by red wine consumption. Some people may be sensitive to other compounds in the beverage and will need allergy testing to determine what they are allergic to. Furthermore, it is important for anyone who suspects an allergy to red wine, to speak with their doctor to determine the cause and get an official diagnosis. „Alcohol may in some people aggregate skin conditions like urticaria (hives),“ says Nurse Shaw. It’s pretty normal to feel ropey the day after drinking alcohol (especially as so many of the most popular hangover cures are actually myths, sorry).

Besides wines, fruits like bananas, kiwi, melons, and grapes can also contain sulfites, though in much smaller amounts. It may be due to an allergy to various ingredients in alcoholic beverages, such as grains, wheat, barley, hops, sulfites and yeast. There are also signs that the body is reacting negatively to alcohol itself; symptoms such as headaches, nausea, stomach pains and dizziness which occur when consuming alcohol. Additionally, alcohol can cause a histamine reaction, triggered by the body’s immune system when it comes into contact with the allergen. Allergy testing can determine if a person is allergic to histamine or other compounds found in red wine.

For example, Italian winemaker Peri Bigogno produces wines with a certified histamine content under 0.5 mg/L. A few alcohols are less likely to trigger symptoms in people with alcohol intolerance. However, if you have alcohol intolerance, you must talk to your doctor about which alcohols are best for you to drink. If you’re looking for a way to prevent sneezing when you drink, try making your cocktails with fresh fruit juices instead of using pre-made mixes. This will help reduce the number of histamines in your drink and make it less likely to trigger a sneeze.

Nausea and vomiting are common, with severe abdominal cramping and retching occurring soon after drinking. Additionally, individuals with alcohol intolerance may experience a rapid heartbeat, nasal stuffiness, and congestion. Alcohol usually contains sulfite compounds, and it is important to be aware of your sensitivity. If you have ever felt nauseous or had a headache after drinking wine, there is a chance that you are sensitive to sulfites.

This reaction is a result of vasodilation and increased sensitivity of nerve endings in your nasal passages. While alcohol-induced sneezing is generally harmless, taking note of any severe or persistent symptoms is essential. Ultimately, each person’s reaction to alcohol can vary, so understanding your body’s unique response is key. There is no evidence to suggest that specific types of alcohol are more likely to induce sneezing. However, some individuals may find certain alcoholic beverages, such as wine or beer, more likely to trigger the sneezing reflex due to their individual sensitivities.

If this phenomenon causes significant distress or worsens over time, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying issues. When you take a sip of alcohol, your body triggers a reaction in which your blood vessels widen and blood flow increases. This increased sensitivity can lead to a sneeze reflex being triggered, causing you to sneeze. Other molds, yeasts, proteins, and ingredients used for wine fining can also be allergens. It is important to be aware of these allergens as they may cause reactions in those who are sensitive.

If you have an allergy to any of the ingredients used in alcoholic beverages, you may experience more severe reactions, such as hives or a rash. Drinking alcohol can also increase your risk of developing asthma or other respiratory conditions. It is not known for certain why some people experience sinus congestion after drinking red wine, but it is believed to be due to a combination of factors.

A protein on the skin of a grape, mostly those in red wines, can contribute to symptoms in those who already have allergies, according to a German study. Your brain adapts to alcohol over time and can become less sensitive to its effects. Are you wondering whether your drinking is on the high side of normal or if it’s crossed the line into a problem?