Hives,rashes and alcohol

Question
I have been drinking alcohol for well over 20 years and of course sometimes in excess.I have consumed many many vatieties also with never any reaction.I enjoy drinking.

My question is:in the last few months every time I drink now I break out in a rash and my face swells up.and as an experiment to narrow it down to ingredients,in the last week I would drink a shot and only a shot of Cognac,Brandy,Jack Daniels,Vodka,Wine.Just a shot a day Sun-Thurs.each night with in 10 min. "BOOM" hives please help explain.  


Answer
I'm not a doctor but am a recovering alcoholic. I do know that after years of drinking your body responds differently.



Sounds like you  now have either an allergy to alcohol, or a new intolerance and sensitivity to it. Some people cannot drink because they turn red ---flushed all over, mostly neck, chest and face, and hot with red ears like on fire-



This is an intolerance. It is also very common - because alcohol releases histamine which is the mediator that does this. some people are able to get by with an antihistamine (claritin, zyrtec) the day they drink, and prevent the symptoms.



Others cannot. Also- very very common in those of Asian descent.







But if you get hives....that is allergy. true allergy to alcohol is rare. It is actually a response to the metabolites of alcohol.





Just for clarity- hives are like welts- red and bumpy.



If you only gets red and flushed, probably not an  allergy.







Here is a site that explains this a bit--



http://www.foodreactions.org/intolerance/alcohol/index.html







Sounds like you just need to stop drinking.

Remember I'm not a doctor.

I suggest seeing your primary care physician.



Sorry it took so long I was doing research on it.

Take Care!

Feel better!