March 31, 2025

The key to managing histamine intolerance is to recognize which foods and drinks are high in histamine levels and avoid them. Additionally, people with alcohol intolerance, a genetic condition affecting the body’s ability to break down alcohol, may experience sneezing and nasal congestion after drinking beer. This is due to the accumulation of byproducts that trigger a mild allergic reaction. Dilated blood vessels can cause inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages. In some people, drinking alcohol may also trigger an allergic reaction, which can cause sneezing and other symptoms.

From ethanol to harmless waste products — how the body metabolizes alcohol

If you have ever experienced sneezing after consuming alcohol, you might be wondering why this peculiar phenomenon occurs. If drinking from a glass makes you sneeze, try drinking through a straw instead. This will help reduce your nose’s contact with the drink and make it less likely to trigger a sneeze. In addition, beer is often brewed with hops, comprising a compound called lupulin. This dilation occurs first in the brain, so you may feel flushed or warm after only a few sips of alcohol. The dilation then extends to blood vessels throughout your body, including those in your nose.

Why Do I Experience Nasal Congestion After Drinking Alcohol?

Either way, it’s definitely something to keep an eye on if you’re out enjoying some beers with friends. When someone suddenly starts sneezing after drinking a few pints, it’s time for them to take a break and re-assess their drinking habits. In contrast to sulfite intolerance, alcoholic hepatitis is a liver disease that occurs when the body cannot break down alcohol efficiently.

Why Does Red Wine Affect My Sinuses?

In conclusion, the exact reasons behind why some people sneeze after drinking alcohol are not definitively known. The most commonly proposed explanations include congestion, allergies, nerve stimulation, and genetic factors. 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.

The Benefits Of Sulfites In Wine

Each week, you’ll get an amazing recipe, a useful health tip, and an ingredient to jazz up your shopping basket! Quercetin is a plant pigment that has been shown to cause sneezing in some people.

What Does it Mean If I Have Nasal Congestion After Drinking Alcohol?

Alcohol itself can cause blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to swelling, nasal congestion, and excessive mucus drainage. These symptoms can also make the nasal passage more sensitive, leading to sneezing. This reaction will happen whatever alcohol you consume, whether it is drunk or added to main courses or puddings. Tannins are natural compounds found in many plants, including the skins, seeds, and stems of grapes. These are what give wine its bitterness, mouthfeel, and complex flavours, as they seep into the wine during the winemaking process.

These symptoms can occur almost immediately after ingesting beer and should be treated as severe and potentially life-threatening. What’s more concerning, however, is that some medications can lead to uncomfortable (even dangerous) side effects when combined with alcohol. In addition, various ingredients found in alcoholic beverages have the potential to trigger an allergic reaction in some people. While most people don’t have a problem with sulphites, those who are sensitive to them might experience allergy-like symptoms, including sneezing, after drinking wine with them.

Final Thoughts on Why You Get a Stuffy Nose After Drinking

In this article, we’ll explore why sneezing and alcohol sometimes go hand-in-hand. One is that alcohol dilates blood vessels in the nose, which can cause irritation and lead to sneezing. Another possibility is that alcohol irritates the mucous membranes in the nose, causing them to swell and lead to sneezing. You may experience anxiety-related emotions while under the influence of alcohol and/or as the effects of alcohol begin to wear off. Wine contains proteins from grapes, bacteria, and yeast, as well as sulfites and other organic compounds.

Additionally, discuss your use of alcohol with a healthcare provider or mental health professional who can screen you for alcohol use disorder and help guide you to appropriate treatment. Many people recover from alcohol dependence and alcohol use disorder with proper medical supervision. Alcohol also can cause a histamine reaction (allergic reaction) in the nose which can cause congestion or a runny nose. Some ethnicities, such as Asians, have inherited genetic traits that increase their risk for this reaction as well as other symptoms. When you have alcohol, it causes the blood vessels throughout your body to dilate or expand. This is especially evident on the surface of the skin and is why people tend to get more flushed or red when they drink alcohol.

Histamine is a compound found in beer, wine, and spirits that can elicit an allergic response. Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications or supplements you are taking. If you have ever experienced swelling of the tongue or throat, or trouble breathing after drinking beer, it is advised to stop drinking beer until you have seen a doctor. A study assessed the histamine levels in 17 beers, and the results ranged from 21 to 305 micrograms per litre.

  • To combat the effects of alcohol on your nose and sinuses, you can try OTC nasal sprays such as fluticasone or azelastine.
  • The most common cause is ALDH2 deficiency, which results in decreased levels of aldehyde dehydrogenase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde.
  • For those with severe allergies or asthma, sulfite intolerance can be life-threatening.

Spirits such as vodka and gin can also cause sneezing due to the presence of histamines. In addition, some people find that the alcohol in these drinks irritates their nose, leading to sneezing. Sneezing after drinking beer is an interesting phenomenon that has sparked a lot of debate. Some experts suggest that the reaction may be more related to the type of beer and its hops content than to the alcohol content. Alcohol and food allergies can cause serious health problems, yet many people do not take the necessary precautions to prevent them.

Having hangxiety or being with someone going through it can be very distressing to everyone involved. There aren’t any definite cures or ways to get rid of hangxiety symptoms, except with time, but there are ways that you can cope. People can also have an oral allergy syndrome — a reaction to fresh fruit and vegetables that may be used as a garnish or a mixer in a cocktail, according to Bassett.

Alcohol intolerance can also cause a rapid onset of a throbbing headache or migraine. 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. Additionally, some people may experience swelling of the lips, tongue and throat. Besides wines, fruits like bananas, kiwi, melons, and grapes can also contain sulfites, though in much smaller amounts.

We use a pharmacist-formulated blend of Glutathione, Dihydromyricetin, Cysteine, L-Theanine, & B Vitamins to stop alcohol flushing before it can begin. A beer allergy is likely caused by an allergy to a specific ingredient in beer, such as grains, colorings, flavorings, or preservatives. Finally, acetate is further broken down into water and carbon dioxide and, voila! The process starts with an enzyme in your liver, called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which converts ethanol into acetaldehyde.

Can other triggers, such as temperature or emotions, contribute to alcohol-induced sneezing?

In conclusion, why do i sneeze after drinking alcohol alcohol makes me congested while alcohol may provide temporary relief from congestion, it is not without its risks and side effects. It’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for guidance on the most appropriate and safe treatment options for congestion. If you’re trying an alcoholic beverage for the first time, allergies and food sensitivities can sometimes be the hidden culprits behind a sudden alcohol intolerance.

It is important to be aware of these allergens as they may cause reactions in those who are sensitive. For those with why do i sneeze when i drink alcohol Red Wine Allergies, the symptoms can be quite unpleasant and may last for several hours. In terms of treatment, medications such as antihistamines can help reduce the severity of symptoms in some cases.

Additionally, the phenolic compounds found in red wine can cause further irritation and worsen the condition. If you do choose to consume red wine, make sure to do so in moderation and avoid consuming too much. Additionally, adding foods with anti-inflammatory properties to your diet can help reduce any irritation caused by red wine consumption. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock can occur, which is a potentially life-threatening reaction. If you must be in a cold environment, wear a scarf or other covering over your nose and mouth to protect your sinuses from the cold air.

Younger wines like crisp whites and rosés, and anything with a screw top is far less likely to have mould. If you see mould around the cork of an older bottle, make sure that you clean it off very thoroughly before opening, and take care there is minimal contamination from the cork. But if you think your wine is contaminated by mould, it is best to discard it as it can be worse for you than just sneezing.