Red wine should be avoided if you have a sinus condition or are prone to developing them. The sulfur compounds in red wine can irritate your nasal passages, resulting in inflammation and swelling that can lead to sinus issues. Additionally, the phenolic compounds found in red wine can cause further irritation and worsen the condition.
- Wine makers must carefully balance the use of sulfates with the acidity levels to create a pleasant flavor profile without compromising its shelf life.
- Our writers include physicians, pharmacists, and registered nurses with firsthand clinical experience.
- Alcohol intolerance means it’s difficult for your body to break down (metabolize) alcohol.
- The symptoms typically occur at night or in the early morning and resemble those of a heart attack with rapid heart rate.
- The presence of sulfites does not always mean the wine is of a lower quality and, in fact, may be used to prevent spoilage.
Ingredients in Alcoholic Beverages That Can Cause a Stuffy Nose After Drinking
They can help you determine if it is indeed the cause of your unpleasant reactions and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. To sneezing after drinking alcohol reduce the risk of having a reaction, look for labels on alcoholic beverages that indicate lower levels of sulfites or those labeled as “sulfite-free”. In general, red wines typically have higher sulfite concentrations than white wines. Additionally, you can opt for wine alternatives such as mead or beer which typically contain lower levels of sulfites than wine.
Why Does Red Wine Affect My Sinuses?
Additionally, when you consume alcoholic beverages, your blood vessels widen and cause more blood to flow to the nasal tissues, leading to additional swelling. This is usually a delayed reaction (hours or days) that may or may not involve the immune system. Sometimes intolerances occur when the body lacks sufficient enzymes or chemicals to properly digest or metabolise certain substances in wine.
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- Or, maybe you’re sensitive to sulfites or other chemicals in alcoholic beverages, resulting in nausea or headaches.
- However, Pepcid and other H2 blockers only mask the symptoms of alcohol intolerance.
- However, if you have a serious reaction or severe pain, see your doctor.
You may find you react to specific wine styles (dry reds) versus others (crisp whites). This can isolate whether the trigger is a compound like tannins or sulphites. Proteins from grapes and yeasts used in fermentation can also act as allergens.
Allergy vs. Intolerance
For example, a lack of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase can mean that you can’t breakdown alcohol properly which can lead to severe systemic intolerance symptoms. These are delayed reactions to wine ingredients such as yeast and different grape varieties. Symptoms can be as wide ranging as digestive problems, migraines and headaches, low energy and low mood; often similar to having a hangover. So if your hangover seems worse than expected it maybe that you have an intolerance of some sort going on. The build-up of histamines can then trigger the allergy-like symptoms when certain foods or drinks, such as alcohol, are consumed.
Drinking alcohol can also increase your risk of developing asthma or other respiratory conditions. People who drink red wine may be more prone to dehydration than those who don’t, as alcoholic drinks can increase the body’s need for fluids. Therefore, it is important to stay hydrated when drinking alcohol by having a glass of water between drinks and avoiding caffeine or carbonated beverages.
Symptoms
- If you’re still having problems, it could be time to consult your doctor.
- Drinking alcohol can also increase your risk of developing asthma or other respiratory conditions.
- If you experience allergic symptoms such as rashes, headaches, or stomach upset shortly after drinking red wine, you may have a red wine allergy.
- If you have a wine allergy, you may experience symptoms such as a rash, nasal congestion, wheezing, or a tingling sensation around your mouth and throat.
In some cases, it may be necessary to discontinue drinking wine altogether to avoid further complications. If you experience any symptoms after consuming alcohol, it is important to speak to a doctor to ensure your health and safety. They will be able to provide the best advice for treating any underlying medical condition. Histamine intolerance is a complex condition that can be caused by several different factors. It occurs when your body has difficulty metabolizing the histamines found in certain foods and drinks, such as wine or beer. If you experience sudden sneezing after consuming these beverages, it may be an indication of histamine intolerance.
