Therefore, it is likely that your family members are at risk for the same problem. The main risk factor for having a problem with ALDH2 is being of East Asian descent, especially Chinese, Korean or Japanese. Some people may find relief with diamine oxidase (DAO) supplements, which may assist your body in breaking down histamines.

• There are also certain whiskeys made from sorghum (a gluten-free grain).
• It is an inherited disorder, so it was passed down to you from your parents.
• Individuals may also explore alternative alcoholic beverages or nonalcoholic options that they can tolerate.
• However, standardized skin testing using different types of alcohol is not currently available.
• While most people include alcohol as part of a generally healthy lifestyle, some struggle with addiction or other complications.

Symptoms and Causes

They may also discuss possible medications for their reactions, such as antihistamines. These include grains like wheat, barley, and rye used to make beer, which can affect people with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergies. Red wine contains high levels of histamine and may cause headaches, congestion, and itching in people with histamine intolerance. Read all labels on alcohol intolerance alcoholic drinks to determine if they contain ingredients likely to trigger a reaction. If you cannot stop drinking on your own, seek treatment as soon as possible.

Symptoms

An allergic reaction can be dangerous, and being evaluated by a doctor may help you avoid a severe allergic reaction. Alcohol intolerance is a medical condition that prevents your body from breaking down alcohol normally. The condition leads to a build-up of the chemical acetaldehyde, which can cause unpleasant symptoms like flushing, headache, nausea and vomiting. Alcohol intolerance is most common in people of Asian descent but can occur in anyone.

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White wine tends to contain higher levels of sulfites than red wine and beer. Some types of sulfites might also trigger an asthmatic attack if you have asthma. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) is an enzyme that your body uses to digest alcohol.

Dr Fox recommends avoiding alcohol to treat alcohol intolerance. In an ideal world, you would abstain from consuming alcohol completely. A person experiencing a severe allergic reaction should go to the emergency room immediately. Depending on the allergy severity, a person may treat symptoms with over-the-counter medications, such as oral antihistamines, if the reaction is mild.