Anyone who has allergies knows the dreaded feeling of waking up to a runny nose and a sore throat. From that moment, you know your day is going to get a lot more frustrating. If you’re someone who sneezes, coughs and sniffles through allergy season, you want to do everything you can to manage your symptoms.
But what if one of your behaviors was making your allergies worse? Drinking alcohol comes with its fair share of negative effects on the body and can even impact your allergies or asthma.
How Alcohol Can Affect Allergies
Most alcoholic products contain histamine. Histamine is a chemical created by the fermentation process that has the ability to trigger allergy symptoms. The gluten in beer and various kinds of liquor can also put a strain on your allergies.
Think of alcohol as a catalyst for your allergies. When your allergies get worse from drinking, it doesn’t mean you’re allergic to the alcohol itself. Instead, alcohol interacts with your immune system to make you more susceptible to other allergies.
For example, let’s say you drink an alcohol that was aged in wooden barrels. If you have a tree nut allergy, this type of alcohol can trigger your allergy symptoms – especially if you drink too much. Abusing alcohol has such a negative effect on your immune system that it can make allergies worse.
What Effect Does Alcohol Have on Asthma?
When it comes to how alcohol impacts asthma, the conclusions are less set-in stone. Researchers are still trying to uncover the exact link, but some studies suggest alcohol makes asthma symptoms worse and can even lead to asthma attacks.
The question then becomes, why does alcohol have an impact on asthma?
The answer can be found in an ingredient found in many alcohol products called sulfites. It’s an additive that some people with asthma have a sensitivity to. Sulfites act as a preservative that wine and beer manufacturers use to increase their products’ shelf life. Unfortunately, this ingredient has been linked to an increased risk of asthma attacks. In fact, one study found that alcohol use triggered an asthma attack in one-third of participants.
How to Lower Your Risk of Asthma and Allergy Symptoms
If you experience allergy or asthma symptoms because of alcohol, you might be wondering how to lower your risk. The first step is making sure to keep up with any preventative medicines you have. It’s also a good idea to:
- Stop drinking alcohol if you keep experiencing symptoms.
- Visit your doctor if you discover that alcohol is a new trigger for your allergies or asthma.
- If you have asthma, be sure to keep your inhaler with you.
But what if alcohol is making your allergy or asthma symptoms worse and you still can’t stop drinking? Your brain can get used to the amount of dopamine that the alcohol provides. So, any extra allergy or asthma symptoms caused by drinking most likely would not be enough to persuade you from giving up alcohol. The good news is that if you’re suffering from an alcohol addiction, there’s support to help you find recovery.
Break Free from Alcohol at Silver Maple Recovery
If drinking has taken a priority over other aspects of your life, it might seem like there’s no other way out and the fear of withdrawal might be making it even harder to quit. But you can find support at Silver Maple Recovery.
We’re a premier alcohol addiction treatment center in Cleveland, Ohio. Our expert detox services can help remove the fear and anxiety over alcohol withdrawal and support your journey to lasting recovery. Alcohol addiction is a challenge you don’t have to go through alone. We have a team of professional caregivers ready to answer your call 24/7. Contact us today to find hope for lasting recovery.
