Alcohol, Asthma and Allergies Don't Mix Alcohol can trigger or
worsen existing allergies, experts say. 6, 2011 (HealthDay News)
— Alcoholic beverages can trigger allergic reactions or
exacerbate existing allergies, experts warn. Though rare, some
people have allergies to the alcohol itself, while others are
allergic to various substances in alcoholic drinks such as beer
and wine, Dr. Sami Bahna, past president of the American College
of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) and chief of Allergy
and Immunology at Louisiana State University Medical School in
Shreveport, La., said in an ACAAI news release. Symptoms may
include red, itchy eyes, nasal congestion, upset stomach and
difficulty breathing. Triggers can include various ingredients
in beer and wine, including barley, ethanol, grapes, malt, hops,
wheat and yeast. Other potential allergens are sometimes added
during processing, including egg whites, which may be used
during the filtering process, and sulfites, which occur
naturally in wine but also may b