Is there a link between Alcohol and Hives?

Though it might sound outlandish, alcohol and hives are linked. Actually, drinking alcohol, which has ethanol as a major factor, can trigger hives itchy rash in  patients suffering from hives.

These patients should specifically consult a qualified doctor and seek advice on whether they should ingest alcohol or not.

Alcohol can disturb your mast cells which then release a fluid called histamine inside your skin. The release of this fluid causes rash and itchiness. One of the most commonly used treatments is the intake of antihistamine. 

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Alcohol and Hives; many people do not realize that these two are connected. Though it might sound outlandish, alcohol and hives are linked. Actually, drinking alcohol, which contains ethanol, can trigger hives itchy rash in patients suffering from hives. These patients should consult a qualified doctor and seek advice as to whether they should ingest alcohol, and if it will affect their skin problems.

One of the most commonly opted for treatments is the intake of antihistamine. As its name suggests, antihistamine nullifies the effect of histamine, which is released by the mast cells as a result of stress or allergic process. Unfortunately, antihistamine medication does not control the actual underlying causes of histamine release. Therefore, you feel better only when you take antihistamine for the time being, and the condition may reappear.

Hives Alcohol

The anaphylactic reactions to drinking alcohol are not very common. Moreover, most reactions to ingested alcoholic beverages are less important to other chemicals in the beverage, such as papain, metabisulfite, or even yeast. However, in a few cases, there are reports of true allergic reactions in which the stimulating agent was shown to be the ethanol (present in the alcohol), resulting in hives.

Mostly, the indications of anaphylaxis appear in such patients following the ingestion of beer or wine. Many  people have had the problem of hives rashes with ethanol ingestion. However, there are only a few known cases in which hives was triggered due to contact with ethanol.

Hives after Drinking Alcohol

Patients that are already suffering from hives must be careful with their drinking habits because hives can be triggered after drinking alcohol. It is wise to consult a doctor and get his advice regarding how often and how much liquor you can safely ingest.