Why You Get Stuffy Nose After Drinking Alcohol and How to Stop It

sneeze when drinking alcohol

Rimm thinks the biological evidence still shows that moderate alcohol consumption offers a small benefit for heart disease and other conditions such as type 2 diabetes. But these benefits are probably averaged out—or maybe even outweighed—by traffic injuries, breast cancer and other risks of moderate drinking. Tannins are natural compounds found in many plants, including the skins, seeds, and stems of grapes.

Red Wine And Nasal Congestion

A skin prick test or blood test may be used to detect an allergic reaction to the particular compounds that are present in red wine. If a person is found to be sensitive to red wine, they may need to avoid it altogether or switch to white wine, which contains a lower concentration of histamine. It is important to note that not all allergic reactions to red wine are caused by histamine. Alcohol intolerance is a condition characterized by unpleasant reactions after drinking alcohol, such as an upset stomach, facial flushing, headaches and nausea.

Final Thoughts on Why You Get a Stuffy Nose After Drinking

Such reactions can include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). In very rare cases, sulfites may cause anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. Beer also contains histamines which could cause a reaction in some people, including sneezing and stuffy nose after drinking. Just sneeze when drinking alcohol like wine, beer has a lot of ingredients that can make someone react negatively. Some of the most common culprits for reactions are gluten, hops, wheat, and yeast.

sneeze when drinking alcohol

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  • This will help to reduce the number of histamines in your system and make it less likely that they’ll trigger a sneeze.
  • If you have ever felt nauseous or had a headache after drinking wine, there is a chance that you are sensitive to sulfites.
  • If drinking alcohol is unavoidable, try to limit your intake of low-alcohol beverages such as beer or wine.
  • These are what give wine its bitterness, mouthfeel, and complex flavours, as they seep into the wine during the winemaking process.
  • Your nasal chambers can fall prey to inflammation and itching leading to and problems related with stuffy nose or sinus congestion.
  • Wine makers must carefully balance the use of sulfates with the acidity levels to create a pleasant flavor profile without compromising its shelf life.
  • In addition, rosacea can make your eyes feel itchy, dry and chronically irritated.

This often leads to sneezing as the body is unable to tolerate regular intake of alcohol. People who lack certain enzymes in their bodies often get troubled by these problems. To reduce the risk of adverse reactions, it is important to avoid wines that contain sulfites.

  • You may get stuffy nose owing to the presence of some preservatives in alcohol.
  • You should not, however, rely on your sneezes to indicate whether or not you are safe to drive home, no matter how sure you are of the accuracy of your body’s own “ignition interlock” device.
  • OAS is an allergic reaction to certain proteins found in raw fruits and vegetables, which are also present in many alcoholic drinks.
  • If someone experiences these symptoms after consuming even small amounts of alcohol it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
  • Sunset works with the body to break down alcohol quickly and effectively, so you don’t experience the negative symptoms.
  • If you find that certain foods make you sneeze, such as strawberries or shellfish, try avoiding them before you drink.
  • These symptoms can occur almost immediately after consuming beer and should be considered severe and potentially life-threatening.

Nose

In some cases, symptoms may be the result of an underlying condition that can be managed with proper medical treatment. For example, a person with histamine intolerance can experience adverse reactions when drinking alcohol because their body is unable to process the histamine in certain types of drinks. In this case, avoiding these types of drinks and/or medications that contain histamine can help reduce the symptoms. They can help you determine if it is indeed the cause of your unpleasant reactions and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Besides, maybe your sneezes are just nature’s way of making sure you don’t have too much fun ;). Thanks for reading and we hope this post has helped to provide some clarity on the matter. 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.

There are few symptoms which need not to be ignored, like, swelling of throat which simply does not allow you to breathe. When such a situation occurs, you need to seek immediate medical help to get healed in a due time. If you react to the tannins in red wine, then you might find it easier on your system to choose white and sparkling wines. Some people are super sensitive to all wines and get on better with another low-tannin alcohol such as gin, vodka, rum, or tequila. We may never know for sure but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a glass of vino every now and then. If you suffer from this perplexing phenomenon, just remember that you’re not alone – and there are worse things in life!

Moderate Drinking Carries Health Risks—Here’s How to Imbibe More Safely

If you find that drinking these beverages triggers an allergic reaction, then it’s important to limit your intake and switch to lower-histamine alternatives. Another helpful tip is to opt for histamine-low foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, or fermented products like yogurt or kefir. These foods can help your body break down the histamines more effectively, reducing the potential for an allergic reaction. The build-up of histamines can then trigger the allergy-like symptoms when certain foods or drinks, such as alcohol, are consumed.