View Full Version : Help with beer allergy
lasmith03
10-14-2004, 11:28 PM
Ok guys, I think I've got the dreaded "beer allergy." After a beer my face gets hot and blotchy red. But I don't get any pains or anything. As I continue to drink (and who would stop? :D ) it subsides usually in about 30-45 mins. I know this especially happens when I drink Corona or Mich Light, but I'm not really sure it happens when I drink Corona light. I think it happens sometimes when I drink Bud Light too, but sometimes it doesn't. Also, sometimes when I eat it doesn't happen. So I'm not sure what's up. I don't get any headaches really and the only other noticeable thing is that one side of my nose is stopped up in the morning sometimes. Any ideas? I've heard eating bread before can help (why?). Possibly taking benadryl non-drowsy (if there is such a thing)? Will Claritin be just as good?
I'm also wondering about the differences in the beers. I like most domestics (Bud Light, Coors Light, Mich Light) and Corona. Which of these should I avoid given the possible different allergies (ie wheat, hops, etc)?
DreamWeaver
10-14-2004, 11:49 PM
Sounds like a Blood Pressure problem. Do you know your numbers? And I'd start drinking bottle conditioned beers and stay away from the commercial stuff.
BTW, Welcome to the best damn Realbeer site on the web dot com!
sounds like BBS(*), i'd go get a six pack of dogfish 90 minute IPA, stat!
(*) bad beer syndrome
fretlessman71
10-15-2004, 01:14 AM
You might have a hop allergy - I have heard of that before. Don't know what the symptoms are, but it's worth looking into. Welcome to the boards!
wortchillergoal
10-15-2004, 05:31 AM
It is possible to be allergic to hops. A good allergist will have that to do a scratch test.
Another brewer at a different site has said that the marcos are guilty of using alot of chemicals in their process. You might have a reaction to one of those.
Seeing how none of us are MDs to my knowledge, you may want to talk to your doctor.
steveh
10-15-2004, 07:05 AM
Originally posted by fretlessman71
You might have a hop allergy
Can't be. Lookit the beers he's drinking. ;)
S.
BBS... heh, heh, heh
just to stress steveh's point, BMC try to stay consistently around 11 IBUs :|
fretlessman71
10-15-2004, 10:27 AM
All true, but please understand that you don't have to be able to TASTE something in order to have an allergic reaction to it. Sometimes you just have to be near it! My wife has a tobacco smoke allergy, and she can tell if someone's smoking within 100 feet even in the open air. It's pretty amazing...
lasmith03, let me explain... Hops are what makes beer bitter - it's there to counterbalance the malt. The net amount of hops added to a batch can be measured in IBU's - International Bittering Units. Science has determined that most people actually can't taste anything below 12 IBUs... which begs the question: "Why do the macrobrewers even add it in the first place?"
This doesn't mean that you couldn't be having an allergy to what IS there, however... and if it is indeed hops, you'll want to avoid microbrews (unfortunately for you), which are commonly 3-6 times as bitter as your Spud Light, Miller Low Life, and Silver Mullet - type beers. I would either seek out beers seasoned with something other than hops (Fraoch Heather Ale comes to mind) to test the theory, or just give up the ghost and see a doctor about it. Doesn't sound like it's terribly good for you.
lasmith03
10-15-2004, 01:32 PM
Yeah, I had an Abita Amber Dark that really set me off. Then subsided after 30 mins. Like I said, when I keep drinking it goes away after a bit.
Doctors are no help. All they say is, "This just happens to some people. Try avoiding it." I need a REAL solution. That's why i'm trying to find out which beers cause it so I can eliminate them and find a good one to stick with.
steveh
10-15-2004, 01:42 PM
Originally posted by lasmith03
That's why i'm trying to find out which beers cause it so I can eliminate them and find a good one to stick with.
It's a dirty, thankless job - but somebody's got to do it! ;)
If it is a hops allergy, some of the 3 Floyds and other ales out there would prove it pretty quickly!
S.
fretlessman71
10-15-2004, 01:42 PM
Find an allergist. They'd be able to do a test and help you out with it. Doctors really don't know much about it, in my experience.... :rolleyes:
wortchillergoal
10-15-2004, 03:10 PM
Originally posted by fretlessman71
Find an allergist. They'd be able to do a test and help you out with it. Doctors really don't know much about it, in my experience.... :rolleyes:
Fret is correct. You need an allergist who is trained in tracking things like this down. You want to find out what it is before it closes down your wind pipe and you no longer have the ability to swallow beer.
chazwicke
10-15-2004, 03:37 PM
Sulfides in wine do this to some people. Occasionally I get a little flushed when I drink. It has never really been a problem. I have seen other fair skinned, blonde headed folks get this too. Not sure what causes it.
Originally posted by wortchillergoal
Fret is correct. You need an allergist who is trained in tracking things like this down. You want to find out what it is before it closes down your wind pipe and you no longer have the ability to swallow beer.
i, personally, have a different thought: doctors (no disrespect) are about as useful as a hemmarohoid...great when they go away, but painful when around...
on that note, guess who never goes to the doctor :p
fretlessman71
10-16-2004, 01:25 AM
Hemorrhoid, you mean?
Remember, that's what I'm here for... :p
yeah, and i'm here for comic relief :rolleyes:
fretlessman71
10-16-2004, 01:50 AM
I knew there was something funny about you... ;) !
and to think i thought it was my looks :p
chazwicke
10-16-2004, 09:35 AM
[i]Originally posted by b3s
on that note, guess who never goes to the doctor :p
I'm the same. And I'm going for a complete physical on Monday. First one since I was going to college in 76. I know my colesterol (Spelling? Fret) is up from an insurance screening I had recently. Hoping they do not find anything else!
fretlessman71
10-16-2004, 09:38 AM
Originally posted by chazwicke
I'm the same. And I'm going for a complete physical on Monday. First one since I was going to college in 76. I know my cholesterol (Spelling? Fret) is up from an insurance screening I had recently. Hoping they do not find anything else! I fixed it in the quote above... this way you come out smelling like a rose. ;)
chazwicke
10-16-2004, 09:39 AM
Good man that Fret. He was right on it!
fretlessman71
10-16-2004, 10:27 AM
That's what I'm here for - just ask hopjack13. BTW... anyone seen him of late?
chazwicke
10-16-2004, 04:43 PM
Yeah where is he. Have not seen him around lately.
stronk
10-17-2004, 07:55 AM
I have the same allergy. I've been watching it for a while and I think it's the hops. I really don't care, tbh; all it does is make people suddenly ask if I'm OK when I'm halfway through a pilsener, which I can cope with.
Originally posted by lasmith03
Ok guys, I think I've got the dreaded "beer allergy." After a beer my face gets hot and blotchy red. But I don't get any pains or anything.
I'm also wondering about the differences in the beers. I like most domestics (Bud Light, Coors Light, Mich Light) and Corona. Which of these should I avoid given the possible different allergies (ie wheat, hops, etc)?
Hey there - I'm no scientist or doctor, but I do drink a lot of beer and have friends who do as well. On the off-chance that you are of Asian decent...I have had more than a few Asian-blooded friends be allergic to alcohol and have seen them develop the symptoms that you talk of. Flushed cheeks etc. Nothing really to worry about, but the intake should be limited.
Also...I've noticed that some folks have an aversion to the rice adjuncts used in the macro-brews like B/M/C. Usually, this brings on a headache, but not the red cheeks.
Lastly, although very FEW people are allergic to sulfites, it DOES happen. The easiest answer to this is: Can you eat bacon? Sulfites are naturally occuring preservatives, however sometimes they are added to wines (possibly beers?) for shelf stabilization. Try some organic beers if that's the culprit.
But - bacon and cured hams are loaded with sulfites, so if you're a breakfast eater - that's not the problem.
Hope that helps narrow down a few things...but check your BP just in case ;) -BeerGal
stronk
10-17-2004, 06:02 PM
Thanks, s00z. I'm not allergic to sulphites (I know because I have that preservative in saline I put in my eyes for my contact lenses). I know what you mean about the asian alcohol allergy, though; you see it a lot in japanese karaoke bars.
Richter
10-19-2004, 08:08 PM
I asked a pharmacy student about this and also have fair skinned friends who experience flushing w alcohol.
This link seems to answer the question. http://www.allergycapital.com.au/Pages/alcoholGP.html
She also referred to this one
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa23.htm
see under genetic influences
Whatever the question, seems like enzymes are the answer.
Here's to 'em
hmmmm, if there is a tendency for fair skinned folks to have this, then perhaps taking some melatonin (which is also great as a sleep aid) might help...
i'm not one of those mother earth subscribers, but i do think that 90% (ask me about statistics sometime) of all physical and mental ailments have some form of naturally occurring remedy (i.e. amino acid, amino acid breakdown, or [last resort] herbal)...there is, of course, the remaining 10% (again, ask me about statistics sometime)...in that case you're |=|_|(|<3|)
just kidding, in that case i'm sure there is some kind of supplement out there...of course, that supplement could be abstinence *shudder*
fretlessman71
10-20-2004, 01:52 AM
Welcome Richter! Just how far south of the border are you, and what do you drink down there? AFAIK, not too much in the way of really good beer down in those parts...
Stahlsturm
10-20-2004, 03:02 AM
Originally posted by DreamWeaver
Sounds like a Blood Pressure problem. Do you know your numbers? And I'd start drinking bottle conditioned beers and stay away from the commercial stuff.
Yeah, it certainly does. I get the exact same symptoms when I forget my medication.
chazwicke
10-20-2004, 10:33 AM
Welcome to the board Richter. Thanks for that info. I occasionally experience flushing but never has it stopped me from imbibing.
fretlessman71
10-20-2004, 10:36 AM
The only flushing I experience is after I've had 2 or 3... :D
(OK, that was too easy... should I delete it?)
chazwicke
10-20-2004, 11:23 AM
Bathroom humor. Tisk tisk
corysdad
10-27-2004, 04:49 PM
Originally posted by chazwicke
I'm the same. And I'm going for a complete physical on Monday. First one since I was going to college in 76. I know my colesterol (Spelling? Fret) is up from an insurance screening I had recently. Hoping they do not find anything else!
Chaz, I forgot to ask at the Chimay tasting, you are in A1 condition after your check up?
chazwicke
10-27-2004, 05:30 PM
Yep, flying colors. Thanks for asking! I was kinda worried. They are still monitoring my BP which has come back down dramatically. Cholesterol is down some too. EKG was fine. No meds.
corysdad
10-27-2004, 05:41 PM
Originally posted by chazwicke
Yep, flying colors. Thanks for asking! I was kinda worried. They are still monitoring my BP which has come back down dramatically. Cholesterol is down some too. EKG was fine. No meds.
So glad to hear that, we need you around here for a long time to come...
chazwicke
11-16-2004, 01:45 PM
I saw this on the Oxford Bottled Beer Database. It is about Gluten free beer:
http://www.bottledbeer.co.uk/features/gluten%2Dfree/
Mikejesmike
03-19-2005, 01:04 AM
I think I'm allergic to Tripels. I've had Victory Golden Monkey and Great Lakes 15th Anniversary and both gave my throat a sensation of tightening,like my esophagus was slightly swelling shut.
P-Train
03-19-2005, 02:14 AM
Just noticed this thread today...
Once in a while when I drink my cheeks and whole face basically will get hot and 'red'.
But ONLY with homebrew. And ONLY once in a while.
It first started when I began brewing and my wife thought I was poisioning myself and was really worried... lol.
I often wondered what it was... got to be something in the 'mix'.
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