Why does my face turn red when I drink Wine...even a little.

logangregor

I realize that this is a mmorpg forum but with the diverse audience the genre atracts, I beleive this is as good a place to ask as any.

Can anyone in the medical field or someone with prior experience with this personally EXPLAIN what is happening when or even why I have a allergic reaction when I drink.

I mean sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesnt.
Sometimes Ive eaten something prior to drinking and sometimes I havent.

If I drink often, 2-3 beers a week, it goes away typically.

Im just wondering if I should be nervous about this or not.

The symptoms I describe as a allergic reaction are red splotchy face, itchy throat, neck and chest etc.

If I pull up my shirt I can see red splotches.

At no time do I have a hard time breathing or any other symptoms.

I just turn red, get hot and itch.

Elikal

Its clearly an allergy against something; you should visit a medic and make an allergy test to show against what you are really allergic.

logangregor

Dear Mr Obvious,

Ty for your concern. I know its a allergy.

Btw a allergy I can make go away by just drinking alcohol more frequently.

Yeah it must be REALLY serious...

Im looking for someone who either
A- has medical experience
B- Knows enough to explain to me what is happening when I have this allergic reaction.
C-Knows someone with a similiar problem and can shed some light on the subject.

LostnThought

Originally posted by logangregor


Dear Mr Obvious,


Ty for your concern. I know its a allergy.
Btw a allergy I can make go away by just drinking alcohol more frequently.
Yeah it must be REALLY serious...
 


Im looking for someone who either

A- has medical experience

B- Knows enough to explain to me what is happening when I have this allergic reaction.

C-Knows someone with a similiar problem and can shed some light on the subject.

 

Dear Mr Obvious,

 

Guess who has all of the things you listed, oh that is right a doctor. Good Job.

logangregor

First time to the forums?

I already stated why I made the post. Pretty sure I dont need to quote myself.

If I felt that this was serious enough to see a physician I would.

So, anyone else with a opinion other than "see a dr"?

Forumfall

Wine is red so if you pour it over your face it will turn red.

logangregor

ty forumfail

CactusmanX

You may have an allergy to one of the ingredients of wine like, grapes, molds, sulfites and pesticides.

You can't be really sure which one until you do an allergy test, but all these are present or can be in wine.

Red wines have more sulfites in them than white so you could do a little experiment with white wine to see.  Or if it is really bugging you, you can have an allergy test done by a doctor to see what kind of things you are allergic too.

Forumfall

No problem. I am here to help.

sepher

You're...Santa?

 

Who knows? This forum isn't exactly geared towards medical device, if you need something beyond advice to talk to a doctor or that you may have an allergy, then visit an actual medical forum somewhere.

Illius

Something that I'd think might be happening is that alcohol naturally dilates the blood vessels and allows blood to flow.  I figure that when you haven't been drinking for a while your liver filters less alcohol out of your blood stream and more of it gets to the vessels and thus you get "flushed" with red.

I figure that as you drink more often you build up a tollerance and your body filters out more of it you get less of the "flushing".  This is my theory anyways.  It's by no means completely sound advice but it is a posibility. 

 

*** 10 years of experience in FAKE doctoring ***

CactusmanX

Originally posted by Illius


Something that I'd think might be happening is that alcohol naturally dilates the blood vessels and allows blood to flow.  I figure that when you haven't been drinking for a while your liver filters less alcohol out of your blood stream and more of it gets to the vessels and thus you get "flushed" with red.
I figure that as you drink more often you build up a tollerance and your body filters out more of it you get less of the "flushing".  This is my theory anyways.  It's by no means completely sound advice but it is a posibility. 
 
*** 10 years of experience in FAKE doctoring ***

 

I thought that at first too, it would explain the red blotchy skin but he also said he had an itchy throat, which that can't explain.

So what can cause red blotchy skin, elevated temperature and an itchy throat?

Heh, this is starting to feel like an episode of House, mystery diagnosises are fun.

Forumfall

One thing is for sure. It's not Lupus.

logangregor

---

Originally posted by sepher
You're...Santa?
 
Who knows? This forum isn't exactly geared towards medical device, if you need something beyond advice to talk to a doctor or that you may have an allergy, then visit an actual medical forum somewhere.

---

You guys actually read before you respond?

I asked for the collective knowledge that exists in you, the users of this forum.
Im fairly certain my question wasnt, "I have a medical condition, can you all tell me to go to a doctor?"

I dare to say, that if I got into a mmo game conversation with any of you reading this forum, we could have a great discussion. BUT, I go into the doctors office and ask him to explain a allergic reaction and the conversation would be minimal and would end with the doctor prescribing a drug of some sort.

logangregor

---

Originally posted by CactusmanX
Originally posted by Illius Something that I'd think might be happening is that alcohol naturally dilates the blood vessels and allows blood to flow.  I figure that when you haven't been drinking for a while your liver filters less alcohol out of your blood stream and more of it gets to the vessels and thus you get "flushed" with red.
I figure that as you drink more often you build up a tollerance and your body filters out more of it you get less of the "flushing".  This is my theory anyways.  It's by no means completely sound advice but it is a posibility. 
 
*** 10 years of experience in FAKE doctoring ***

 
I thought that at first too, it would explain the red blotchy skin but he also said he had an itchy throat, which that can't explain.
So what can cause red blotchy skin, elevated temperature and an itchy throat?
Heh, this is starting to feel like an episode of House, mystery diagnosises are fun.

---

hehe house is on tonight in about 5 mins.

Yeah when I say itchy throat... I mean itchy skin over my throat, face, neck etc.

I get hot, red, Splotchy (red here, not red there, random) and its the same way with my neck and chest and some of my back.

I beleive alot of things have to do with the health of the liver. Certain foods can overtox the liver making someone feel bad. Im sure alcohol is no different..most likely worse.

O yeah, and its not just Wine. Beer, wine, tequilla---any alcohol.
So we can rule out grapes, sulfites and mold.

Even when I was younger, beer made me hot. Maybe not red and itchy but often it made me hot.

My friends drink, and they turn alive.. lol...me I drink beer and it makes me sleepy.

Now the reaction...anyone know what is physically happening during a allergic reaction?

CactusmanX

Allergic responses are due to your immune system.  Some things in foods your body percieves as a threat and produces antibodies to destroy it, these cells attach themselves onto the cells in areas like the throat and skin, basically the body builds up a defense against this threat, except it is really just food.  So like if you where infected with a disease the body tries to combat the food whenever you eat it causing the cells with the antibodies attahed to produce histamine, which makes you all itchy.

So basically your body is trying fight against a non real threat and ends up just irratating itself.

logangregor

---

Originally posted by CactusmanX
Allergic responses are due to your immune system.  Some things in foods your body percieves as a threat and produces antibodies to destroy it, these cells attach themselves onto the cells in areas like the throat and skin, basically the body builds up a defense against this threat, except it is really just food.  So like if you where infected with a disease the body tries to combat the food whenever you eat it causing the cells with the antibodies attahed to produce histamine, which makes you all itchy.
So basically your body is trying fight against a non real threat and ends up just irratating itself.

---

Its funny to me how the public at large VIEWS allergies.
They will say O I have bad allergies.
They wont say , my immune system is weak.

When you yourself said that allergies really comes down to the immune system.
A faulty immune system.

I was reading a book about a year ago where this particular Dr was invesitgating the potential benefit of probiotics. One thing that sticks with me that he said,
"A hundred years ago, allergies were unheard of."

And really why do allergies exist at all. Pollen has been around for as long as there
has been plants.

Id answer the question but I dont want it to look like I posed a question so I could answer it... (even though I still may lol)

I really just came here to see if anyone had known anyone/seen anything like what happens to me.

Rayx0r

Originally posted by logangregor




I realize that this is a mmorpg forum but with the diverse audience the genre atracts, I beleive this is as good a place to ask as any.


Can anyone in the medical field or someone with prior experience with this personally EXPLAIN what is happening when or even why I have a allergic reaction when I drink.


I mean sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesnt.

Sometimes Ive eaten something prior to drinking and sometimes I havent.


If I drink often, 2-3 beers a week, it goes away typically.


Im just wondering if I should be nervous about this or not.
The symptoms I describe as a allergic reaction are red splotchy face, itchy throat, neck and chest etc.
If I pull up my shirt I can see red splotches.
At no time do I have a hard time breathing or any other symptoms.
I just turn red, get hot and itch.

 

 

Your topic is about wine but you say that "drinking often 2-3 beers a week it goes away".  So.. drinking beer does NOT make you react this way or drinking 2-3 beers a week KEEPS you from reacting this way when you drink wine?  Im confused by that quote.  Oh.. and you think 2-3 beers a week is drinking often?

anyway, wine has sulfites and it can cause reactions with people.  Most common with people who have asthma. 

it actually sounds like your not metabalizing alcohol, and judging by your previous comment about drinking 2-3 beers a week considering that "often" id say you dont drink much at all?  Which makes sense that your having problems metabalizing it.  *edit* and If I understand your quote I put in red, if you drink 2-3 beers in the same week you consume wine this reaction doesnt happen.. it makes even more sense that your body is metabolizing it better because you've consumed a small amount of alcohol previously that week and your body is more fit to metabolize alcohol to acetaldehyde.

are you asian by any chance?

*edit* sorry I edited this a couple times

silkakc

Some things are known Histamine antagonists - Red wine being one. Others are Niacin, Lecithin, Folic acid, chocolate and spicy foods.

Just research Histamine. And to prevent it- take a Clariton/Loratidine antihistamine. One pill lasts for 24 hrs and causes no tiredness like Benedryl does.

Be careful if you get Novacaine at the dentist. Just make sure you have Clariton or Benedryl pills on hand if you are having Histamine problems because Novacaine's a big trigger. I've had novacaine 20+ times in my life and never had a problem. Now that I have Histamine problems, I broke out in hives and my throat swelled 1 hour after my  Dentist appt last week:( Benedryl calmed it down within an hour, thank God.

Bigdavo

Stop drinking red wine and start snorting crack. Problem solved.

Hazmal

I have a co-worker who is the same way.  Red-faced whenever consuming any type of alcohol, she says her brother is the same way and continues to drink regardless.  He isn't dead yet.  Also have a friend who gets the same way sometimes, still alive as well. 

 

With anything you are allergic to, it could always go real bad real quick.  I'm not a doctor though, just know others stricken with this tragically funny allergy to alcohol.

Edit*  Both co-worker and friend are of Asian decent, one is 1/2 Taiwanese and the other is Filipino (I think).

presium

because of the influence of alcohol

Precusor

Originally posted by logangregor




I realize that this is a mmorpg forum but with the diverse audience the genre atracts, I beleive this is as good a place to ask as any.


Can anyone in the medical field or someone with prior experience with this personally EXPLAIN what is happening when or even why I have a allergic reaction when I drink.


I mean sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesnt.

Sometimes Ive eaten something prior to drinking and sometimes I havent.


If I drink often, 2-3 beers a week, it goes away typically.


Im just wondering if I should be nervous about this or not.
The symptoms I describe as a allergic reaction are red splotchy face, itchy throat, neck and chest etc.
If I pull up my shirt I can see red splotches.
At no time do I have a hard time breathing or any other symptoms.
I just turn red, get hot and itch.

Alcohol's Red Face Linked to Cancer Risk

Researchers Say Flushed Face After Drinking May Signal Esophageal Cancer Risk

www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20090324/alcohols-red-face-linked-to-cancer-risk

 

 

Rayx0r

Originally posted by Hazmal


I have a co-worker who is the same way.  Red-faced whenever consuming any type of alcohol, she says her brother is the same way and continues to drink regardless.  He isn't dead yet.  Also have a friend who gets the same way sometimes, still alive as well. 
 
With anything you are allergic to, it could always go real bad real quick.  I'm not a doctor though, just know others stricken with this tragically funny allergy to alcohol.
Edit*  Both co-worker and friend are of Asian decent, one is 1/2 Taiwanese and the other is Filipino (I think).

 

ya, its very common in Asian people.  Theres a certain enzyme theyre deficient of that aids in metabolizing alcohol, its not an allergic reaction.

sadriver

dont worry about this. Its a normal phenomenon

modjoe86

Yea, I'm a Polish French guy and I randomly get really splotchy and red faced after my first drink or two of the night.  I've even recorded my drinking for a couple weeks at a time, as this only happens every once in a while.  In the end, I really can't figure out what causes it.  I only drink beer and vodka, and I drink every night.  But it's weird, some nights I'll immediately feel that burn and redness after my first drink.  It goes away after about 45 minutes, but it's quite unsightly. Other nights, I can drink as much and as fast as I want and nothing happens.  It just sucks when this happens at the bars.