MadSci Network: Medicine
Query:

Re: Why do I break out in a red rash from alcohol?

Date: Thu Dec 9 20:49:01 1999
Posted By: Gil Stoewsand, Faculty, Food Science & Technology, Cornell University
Area of science: Medicine
ID: 943989249.Me
Message:

Histamines may be present in significant amounts in beer and red wines.
Some people lack an enzyme that can metabolize histamines, thus an allergy,
or more specific a food intolerance, ensues and causes the red rash.
Alcohol also dialates blood vessels and certain individuals will show
"flushing" that can also enhance the redness of the rash. The cure: avoid
drinking beer or decrease the amount of beer intake to the point where no
rash occurs.

I also suffer from a similar type of rash. As far as I know it has to do with ALDH (Alcohol Dehydrogenase). This is the only place that I have been able to get any information on it. The rash seems to be much more common in Asian communities than others. My rash isnt so much concentrated in one spot as it is a number of small red spots. I have only recently found out about aldh so my info is limited but maybe you could find out more.


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