Alcohol allergy: What’s in your New Year’s Eve tipple?

23rd December 2024

Alcohol allergy: What’s in your New Year’s Eve tipple?

New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration; for many, that means raising a glass (or two). But for those with allergies or sensitivities, festive drinks can sometimes cause unpleasant reactions. From hidden allergens in beer, wine, and spirits to the creamy indulgence of eggnog, understanding what’s in your glass is key to enjoying the night safely. Let’s explore common allergens in popular beverages, offer alternatives, and share allergy-safe tips for toasting the New Year.

Common allergens in alcohol

Beer

• Contains gluten from barley or wheat.
• May include other potential allergens like corn or added flavourings.

Wine

• Can contain sulfites, which act as preservatives and are a common trigger for sensitivities.
• Fining agents like egg whites or fish-derived isinglass might linger in the final product.

Spirits

• Distilled spirits like vodka or whiskey can contain trace allergens from the base ingredients (e.g., wheat, corn, or rye).
• Flavored spirits may include artificial additives or natural allergens like nuts.

Eggnog

• Packed with dairy, eggs, and sometimes nutmeg, which can trigger allergies.
• Commercial versions may also contain preservatives or flavouring agents.

How to enjoy allergy-safe drinks

• Read labels: Check for allergen information, especially on flavoured or mixed drinks.
• Ask questions: Ask about ingredients in cocktails or pre-mixed drinks at bars or parties.
• Opt for safe alternatives: Choose gluten-free beers, organic wines, or spirits labelled as allergen-free.
• BYOB: Bring your own beverages to ensure you have safe options.

Five popular New Year’s Eve cocktails and allergy-friendly alternatives

Here are five classic cocktails, their traditional ingredients, and how to make them allergy-safe:

1. Mojito

• Ingredients: White rum, lime juice, sugar, soda water, fresh mint.
• Potential allergens: None in the base recipe, but flavoured rums may contain allergens.
• Alternatives:
  • Home: Use certified gluten-free rum.
  • Out: Ask if the rum is unflavored and allergen-free; opt for a mocktail version if unsure.

2. Espresso martini

• Ingredients: Vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, sugar syrup.
• Potential allergens: Flavored vodkas or liqueurs may contain allergens like nuts or gluten.
• Alternatives:
  • Home: Use plain, gluten-free vodka and dairy-free coffee liqueur (e.g., Mr Black).
  • Out: Request the drink without cream-based liqueurs, or opt for a simple vodka-and-espresso blend.

3. Piña colada

• Ingredients: White rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, sugar.
• Potential allergens: Dairy in cream-based versions; nuts in some coconut products.
• Alternatives:
  • Home: Use canned coconut milk instead of coconut cream, and confirm it’s nut-free.
  • Out: Ask if the coconut product used is dairy- and nut-free, or switch to a tropical mocktail.

4. Whiskey sour

• Ingredients: Whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, egg white (optional).
• Potential allergens: Egg white in traditional recipes; gluten in some whiskeys.
• Alternatives:
  • Home: Skip the egg white or use aquafaba (chickpea brine) for a vegan option. Choose gluten-free whiskey.
  • Out: Order it without egg white and confirm the whiskey’s gluten-free status.

5. Classic Margarita

• Ingredients: Tequila, lime juice, triple sec (orange liqueur).
• Potential allergens: Flavored tequilas or mixers may contain allergens.
• Alternatives:
  • Home: Use pure tequila and fresh lime juice; swap triple sec for an allergen-free orange extract or juice.
  • Out: Ensure the tequila is 100% agave and avoid pre-mixed margarita blends.

Tips for allergy-safe drinking

• Stick to basics: Simple drinks like gin, tonic, vodka, and soda are less likely to have hidden allergens.
• Avoid creamy drinks: Opt for non-dairy alternatives or fruit-based cocktails.
• Choose organic: Organic wines and spirits are less likely to contain sulfites or artificial additives.
• Test small sips first: If you’re trying a new drink, start with a small amount to gauge your reaction.

When in doubt, take an allergy test

If you’re experiencing reactions after drinking but aren’t sure of the cause, it’s time to dig deeper. From gluten in beer to sulfites in wine, knowing your specific triggers can help you make safe, confident choices.

Register as a new patient with us today for a comprehensive evaluation at our London-based allergy clinic or prefer the convenience of our home allergy test and raise a glass to a healthier, happier New Year!

Alcohol allergy: how do you know if you have one?

23rd February 2022

alcohol allergy

Alcohol allergy: how do you know if you have one?

Whether it’s for a celebration or just because we’ve had one of those days at work, plenty of us like to unwind with a drink. Some like a trip to the pub for just the one pint. And others like a whole night on the town. Whatever you’re into, as long as you drink responsibly, it’s just good to enjoy ourselves.

But have you ever thought about an alcohol allergy? There’s no end to what we can be allergic to, so why would alcohol be any different? It’s a very rare condition to have, but not impossible. So let’s take a look at what it’s like if you have it.

Alcohol allergy vs intolerance

The first question to ask is if it’s an allergy in the first place. It may well be an intolerance. But what’s the difference?

In short, an allergy is an immune response, while an intolerance is a digestive response. You’ll have some idea which it is based on the symptoms you have.

If it’s an allergy, you might experience: rashes, breathing difficulties, or anaphylaxis.

But if it’s an intolerance, you’re more likely to experience: stomach issues, heartburn, or diarrhoea. Note that both lists aren’t extensive and you may have other symptoms.

If you have an intolerance to alcohol, it’s because your body doesn’t have the enzymes it needs to break down the drink. It’s very similar to what happens if you have something like lactose intolerance. Whereas if it’s an allergic reaction, it’s likely your immune system overreacts to something in the alcohol. So in wine, for example, it could be the grapes you’re reacting to.

While both are something you don’t want to deal with, an allergic response is more severe. If you experience it, it could even lead to death.

What to watch out for

What’s your next step? Talk to your doctor about it. If you suspect you might have an alcohol allergy or intolerance, they will be able to test you for it. This would let you know what you need to avoid. And in the case of an allergy, it may help you understand which ingredient in particular is setting you off.

When you have your answer, you can look out for anything that might trigger a reaction. Pay attention to what food has alcohol in it. Especially at restaurants that might use something like red wine in a sauce.

You might find initially that it’s hard to navigate your allergy or intolerance. Your eyes will open to just how common it is. But in time, you’ll learn how to avoid it and keep yourself safe. In the meantime, talk to your doctor – or an allergy specialist – and find out how you can live a more comfortable life.

If you ever have any allergy concerns, get in touch with our experts today. We can help answer all your questions. Register as a new patient or call us on 02031 433 449.

The foods that may make your hay fever worse

30th June 2021

The foods that may make your hay fever worse

Our diet affects almost everything. We all know how it can help or hurt our physical health, but did you know it could also worsen or alleviate hay fever symptoms? That’s because some foods contain higher levels of histamine, the chemical our body releases in response to our allergies. They give us all those uncomfortable symptoms that drive us mad. 

To stop your symptoms from getting worse, it’s best to avoid high histamine foods. Here are four common culprits that might not be helping you during this hay fever season.

Dairy

Dairy products can be taxing on our immune systems. And when they’re weak, it can cause an overreaction to pollen and make existing symptoms worse. To fight hay fever, it’s important to have as strong an immune system as possible. This is possibly why vitamin C helps combat symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Coffee

It may be time to replace your morning coffee with decaf. Caffeine is naturally high in histamines, which can worsen hay fever symptoms. Excess caffeine may even cause liver congestion, making it even worse still, as well as causing other problems. 

Alcohol

Nothing sounds better than sitting in the garden with a beer or a glass of wine on a warm, sunny evening. But sadly, beer, wine, and liquor all contain histamines that are produced during the fermentation process. Alcohol also suppresses the immune system. So, similar to dairy, anything that weakens this will make symptoms more of a chore.

Nuts

While nuts may seem like the perfect snack, they’re packed full of histamines too. So it may be best to lay off cashews, pistachios, walnuts, and almonds until your symptoms become more manageable. Nuts like hazelnuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts are less likely to trigger symptoms as they contain lower levels of histamine. 

While no food will ever cure your hay fever, avoiding certain foods may help prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Always check with your doctor or allergist before making any lifestyle changes. 

Is hay fever getting you down? Get in contact with the London Allergy and Immunology Centre today. Our team of experts can help you manage your allergies and help you regain control of your life. Call us now on 02031 433 449.

These everyday things could be making your allergies worse

16th December 2020

These everyday things could be making your allergies worse

You’ll probably already know that going to a park for a picnic during hay-fever season might be making your allergies worse, but there are many things in our day to day that would never cross our minds as an aggravator of our symptoms. 

These seemingly insignificant things affect us all. We all get stressed sometimes. And we all get older. These factors can sometimes have an impact on our allergies – let’s look at how…

Environment

Seasonal allergies like hay fever are made worse by crises like climate change. As temperatures rise, trees release pollen up to three weeks earlier than usual, resulting in longer allergy seasons and worse air quality for those with a pollen allergy. 

Air pollution is another environmental factor that can make allergies worse. Although living in the countryside will expose you to more plant allergens, living in a smoggy city can be worse for your allergies due to the prolonged exposure to air pollution. The pollution can irritate your nose, making congestion or inflammation worse.  

Stress

Perhaps less surprisingly, stress has an effect on you too. When stressed, your body releases hormones, including histamines – the chemical that gives you all those pesky allergy symptoms – and makes your allergy symptoms worse. Although you’ll be relieved to hear that, while stress can make allergies worse, it won’t actually cause allergies.

Alcohol

You might think twice about having that extra glass of mulled wine this holiday season. Alcohol, particularly red wine, can worsen your allergies as it contains histamine. Regularly consuming products high in histamines can worsen all underlying allergies by increasing inflammation in the body. 

Alcohol also affects the production of an enzyme that helps break down histamines. It’s possible to have a sensitivity to sulphates, found in drinks like red wine and beer, or alcohol itself.

Age

Unfortunately, ageing can make our allergies worse too. Your immune system is constantly changing, which makes it possible for you to lose tolerance towards allergens you once had no reaction to, such as pollen, foods, and medicines.

There are many factors that can affect your allergies, some of which you can’t avoid. If you’re ever worried about your health, seek an allergy specialist for advice on how to handle your allergies or for an allergy test.

If your allergies are flaring up, don’t hesitate to contact us at Allergy Clinic London for expert advice on how you can control your symptoms. Call us now on 02031 433 449.

Alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance – common symptoms explained

1st May 2019

Alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance – common symptoms explained

Alcohol forms an important part of many cultures around the world and has long been hailed as the drink to unwind and celebrate. When used responsibly, it’s a great way to wind down on a weekend, settle nerves on a date, or just for general enjoyment in life.

All these reasons make it particularly difficult for people living with alcohol allergies or intolerances. Let’s look at the different causes and symptoms, along with the next steps, if you’re showing any of these signs after drinking alcohol.

Alcohol intolerance

Most people who think they suffer from an alcohol allergy are actually alcohol intolerant. It’s caused by a genetic condition in the body that can’t break down alcohol properly. This can cause a number of symptoms including:

• Low blood pressure
• Worsening of pre-existing asthma
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Facial redness
• Red, itchy skin bumps (hives)

Alcoholic beverages often contain many ingredients. Some of these can also cause intolerance reactions, such as histamine, chemicals, grains, sulfites, and preservatives.

It’s easy to speculate about what is causing your symptoms. However, the only way to know for certain about what is causing your intolerance or allergy is to see a specialist health professional.

Alcohol allergy

An alcohol allergy is very rare. It only occurs when your immune system overreacts to alcohol entering the body and starts to produce antibodies. These trigger an allergic reaction. Symptoms can range from a mild itchy mouth or eyes to swelling and anaphylaxis.

There are ingredients found in many alcoholic drinks that cause an allergic reaction in the body. For example:

• Grapes
• Hops
• Wheat
• Yeast

If you’re showing any of these signs after consuming alcohol, it’s important to see an allergy specialist to diagnose any possible intolerances or allergies. You should never ignore an allergy or intolerance and push it aside. If left untreated, it can quickly become worse or create further health complications.

Living allergy-free isn’t always easy, but it isn’t impossible. Don’t risk putting your health and life at risk. Request an allergy test with us today or visit our website to find out how we can help you.

Everyday items that could be causing allergy symptoms

4th May 2018

Everyday items that could be causing allergy symptoms

Experiencing skin irritation, rashes, watery eyes, and a runny nose is annoying. But what is even more annoying is experiencing these allergy symptoms and not knowing why. Is it an allergy? If so, what are you allergic to? Is your detergent a bit too strong for your skin? Are you developing hay fever? You just don’t know. Luckily, allergy tests are available to identify the cause of your symptoms. If you haven’t gotten around to being tested yet, here are some everyday items that you may never have suspected could cause allergy-like symptoms in you or your child.

Your phone and electronics

This isn’t just our way of telling you to stop spending so much time on your phone. Some handsets and other electronics contain metals like nickel and cobalt which cause skin irritation at the point of contact. Allergic Living found a surge in the number of reported nickel sensitivities/allergies. Not helpful as we succumb further to the digital age.

Jewellery and accessories

Similarly to the above, a lot of jewellery and accessories contain metals that cause skin irritation or rashes. Nickel, for example, is found in glasses, belts, earrings, coins, keys, and underwire in bras. If you’re experiencing skin irritation on your body as it comes into contact with a suspicious metal, it is worth finding out if this could be caused by contact with a metal that you’re sensitive to.

Clothing

It may be unusual for a person to be allergic to clothes fibres but sometimes it does happen. People have been known to be allergic to lanolin, a fatty substance found on sheep’s wool. But, more commonly, people are allergic or sensitive to finishing resins, dyes, glues, and chemicals found in clothing, bags, and shoes. This can cause skin irritation.

Latex

Latex allergies are not unheard of, but sometimes you may not realise which household products contain latex and can trigger a reaction. These include children’s toys, balloons, rubber bands, shoe soles, gloves, paint, bandages, condoms, baby bottles, raincoats, sports equipment, and buttons. That’s a lot to look out for, but it may be necessary if you think you have a latex allergy.

Alcohol

Sulphites in wine have been known to trigger asthma symptoms in people with asthma. Also when coming into contact with alcohol, some people experience rhinitis, sneezing, and coughing.

Trees

It is no secret that pollen from trees causes hay fever and nuts from them can cause severe allergic reactions. But you can also be allergic to sap from trees such as Pine. Usually, you have to touch the sap to experience the allergy symptoms or irritation. But, for example, if you burn a lot of pine at once, allergens can also travel through the air.

Not all of these allergy symptoms will be a result of having a true allergy to these common items. Nor is a complete list, missing off things like cosmetics. Sometimes, irritation can occur if you are sensitive to a substance, without going through the physical process of having an allergic reaction. But, symptoms of sensitivity may mimic those of an allergic reaction.

To be on the safe side, you can book an allergy test with one of our consultants. We offer a range of simple, accurate allergy tests that test you for over 100 allergies at once so that you can have peace of mind when it comes to your health.