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What Causes Redness Of Skin And Shortness Of Breath After Taking Wine?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015
Question: Hi, I'm a 40 year old female who has enjoyed wine socially my entire adult life with no problem.

Tonight however immediatey upon having a half glass of wine (was a brand I've enjoyed many times before) I started having an immediate reaction. One ear, portions of my face and chest became extremely red and hot like they were sunburned as well as itchy. I also started having some shortness of breath.

I take an Allegra every day at 6pm for my allergies and took that when my symptoms started since it was close to 6pm. I also did not drink any further wine. Symptoms seemed to fade after about an hour.

I have no known food allergies but do have allergies to dust mites, mold, tree and weed pollens (which is why I take Allegra daily).

The entire episode was a bit frightening and wondering if it was an allergic reaction to alcohol?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, this may be the allergic reaction to wine.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
By your history and description, in my opinion there are two possibilities in your case.
1. Allergic reaction to wine.
2. Interaction between wine and food which might be causing allergic reaction.
Wine is produced by fermentation through yeast. So this can be allergic. So the batch or lot you had tonight, might be having more fermented and may caused allergy.
Another possibility is interaction between food and wine.
If high protein diet is taken prior or with the wine, food interaction can produce allergic reaction.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (18 minutes later)
Thank you very much. I just had some of the same wine (but different bottle) as recently as 3 days ago with no problem. Is an allergy likely to develop that fast?

Having never had this reaction before, do I need to worry about having wine again--is it unlikely to happen again? In other words is this reaction likely dangerous (anaphalytic) or more of an intolerance type reaction?

Should I see an allergist to discuss?

Thank you.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No need to worry for dangerous reaction.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Since 3 days you are taking that wine , so allergic reaction due to wine is less likely.
So you can drink wine without much fear.
I think I must be food interaction.
And no need to worry much for severe anaphylactic reaction.
And yes you should definitely discuss this event with your allergist.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15002 Questions

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What Causes Redness Of Skin And Shortness Of Breath After Taking Wine?

Brief Answer: Yes, this may be the allergic reaction to wine. Detailed Answer: Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM. I can understand your situation and problem. By your history and description, in my opinion there are two possibilities in your case. 1. Allergic reaction to wine. 2. Interaction between wine and food which might be causing allergic reaction. Wine is produced by fermentation through yeast. So this can be allergic. So the batch or lot you had tonight, might be having more fermented and may caused allergy. Another possibility is interaction between food and wine. If high protein diet is taken prior or with the wine, food interaction can produce allergic reaction. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.