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Nasal Congestion Due to Alcohol

Even low amounts of alcohol may immediately cause nasal congestion and other allergy-like symptoms in people who are intolerant of alcohol. According to the Auckland Allergy Clinic in New Zealand, alcohol intolerance is common.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of alcohol intolerance may include nasal congestion, headache, increased heart rate, nausea, itchiness and flushing of the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, the only treatment of these symptoms is to abstain from drinking alcohol.

    Intolerance

    • Alcohol intolerance refers to an extreme sensitivity to the effects of alcohol. According to FoodReactions.org, alcohol intolerance is caused by a deficiency of an enzyme called adehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH).

    ALDH

    • ALDH converts alcohol, which is a toxic substance, into vinegar, so it can be expelled from the body. If the ALDH enzyme is inactive, alcohol will cause the allergy-like symptoms of alcohol intolerance.

    Histamines

    • ALDH also metabolizes histamines, which are substances involved in producing allergic reactions. Alcohol releases histamines in the body, and if they cannot be metabolized they will cause such symptoms as nasal congestion.

    Considerations

    • According to FoodReactions.org, approximately 50 percent of people of Asian descent are deficient in ALDH, which may account for low rates alcoholism among Asian people.

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