Alcohol allergy: Is there such a thing?

Some people are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than are others. However, this doesn't mean you have an alcohol allergy.

A true food allergy involves your immune system. In such cases, your immune system mistakenly identifies a specific food or a component of that food as a harmful substance. Your immune system triggers certain cells to produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to fight the "enemy" food or food component. Signs and symptoms of food allergy include tingling in the mouth, hives, breathing difficulties, and swelling of your lips, tongue or throat.

An alcohol allergy would be very uncommon. However, you could be allergic to other ingredients in an alcoholic beverage, such as wheat or sulfur dioxide, a preservative. There are also substances in some alcohol beverages such as wine that can cause flushing or even rashes.

Still, it's more likely that you have an alcohol intolerance — which means you are more sensitive to the normal effects of alcohol. Alcohol can cause a variety of immediate adverse effects on the body, including headache, rapid heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, nasal congestion, or warm, red, itchy skin.

Many people of Asian descent experience an unusual flushing reaction after drinking alcohol — even in very small amounts. This is caused by a genetic disorder in which the body is unable to break down alcohol completely. Some research suggests that people who experience alcohol flush reaction may be at increased risk of alcohol-related conditions, such as cancer of the esophagus and liver disease.

The only solution to all of these problems is to avoid alcohol.

Rarely, severe pain following alcohol ingestion may be a sign of a more serious underlying disorder, such as Hodgkin's disease — also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma. If you experience unusual symptoms after ingesting alcohol, consult your doctor.