Ever wondered why you feel unwell after a few sips of alcohol? Maybe your face turns red, your heart races, or you start to itch.

Understanding whether you’re experiencing an alcohol allergy or an alcohol intolerance is key to identifying what your body’s really reacting to — and how to manage it safely.

Alcohol Allergy vs Alcohol Intolerance: What’s the Difference?

While both can cause uncomfortable reactions, they’re very different biologically.

Alcohol allergy is an immune response.
Your body mistakes alcohol or certain ingredients in alcoholic drinks — like barley, yeast, sulfites, or preservatives — as harmful. In response, it releases histamines, which can cause hives, swelling, congestion, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Alcohol intolerance, on the other hand, is a metabolic issue — not an allergy.
It’s most often caused by a genetic variant known as ALDH2 deficiency, which prevents your body from properly breaking down acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. When acetaldehyde builds up, it triggers symptoms like redness, nausea, and a racing heartbeat.

In short:

• Allergy = your immune system overreacts.
• Intolerance = your metabolism underperforms.

Recognising the Signs: Allergy or Intolerance?

If your face turns red after a drink, the cause could be either. The symptoms overlap, but the mechanisms differ.

Alcohol intolerance (ALDH2 deficiency) symptoms:

• Facial or neck flushing
• Hot flashes or warmth
• Nausea or dizziness
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat

Alcohol allergy symptoms:

• Hives, itching, or rashes
• Nasal congestion or wheezing
• Swelling of the lips or throat
• Trouble breathing
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

If you only experience redness and warmth after even a small amount of alcohol, it’s most likely alcohol intolerance.
If you develop itching, swelling, or respiratory symptoms, see a healthcare provider — you may have an alcohol allergy or a reaction to specific ingredients.

Genetic or DNA testing can confirm if you carry the ALDH2 gene variant linked to alcohol flush reaction.

Histamine and Sulfite Intolerance: The Hidden Triggers (and Why Wine Hits Harder)

Not every alcohol reaction comes from intolerance or a true allergy.
Two of the most overlooked culprits are histamines and sulfites, especially common in wines and some beers.

• Histamines form naturally during fermentation and can trigger redness, congestion, or itching — particularly from red wine.
• Sulfites, used as preservatives in most wines and mixers, can cause sneezing, wheezing, and headaches in sensitive individuals.

If your symptoms appear mostly after wine, not beer or spirits, histamines or sulfites could be the problem, not alcohol itself.

That's where Purewine Drops come in. 

These clever drops are formulated to neutralise histamines and sulfites instantly, making wine more enjoyable for those with sensitivities. Just add 1 drops to your glass (or 4 to a bottle) before drinking and give it a swirl! No altered taste, no side effects.

While Pure Wine Drops target wine-related reactions, iBlush tackles a completely different problem — acetaldehyde buildup from ALDH2 deficiency.

Used together, they provide comprehensive support for both allergy-type and intolerance-type reactions, helping you feel better equipped for any occasion.

Managing Alcohol Intolerance Safely

For those dealing with alcohol intolerance, the safest approach is to support your body’s natural metabolism instead of suppressing its signals.

That means:

• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Staying hydrated before and during drinking
• Avoiding drinks high in histamines and sulfites (opt for clear spirits)
• Supporting liver function and antioxidant activity

How iBlush Helps

If your redness, nausea, or rapid heartbeat are linked to ALDH2 deficiency, iBlush was designed for you.

Our Patches, Tablets, and Gels deliver targeted antioxidants, vitamins, and cofactors that help your body metabolise alcohol more efficiently by:

• Supporting healthy liver enzyme activity
• Neutralising acetaldehyde before it builds up
• Reducing redness and discomfort

While iBlush doesn’t treat allergies or histamine sensitivity, it helps those with alcohol flush reaction manage symptoms more comfortably — so you can enjoy social moments with confidence.

Navigating Social Drinking with Confidence

Whether it’s a casual drink, a wedding, or a weekend dinner, understanding your body’s response helps you make better choices.

With iBlush and Pure Wine Drops by your side, you can support your body from both angles (metabolic and allergic) and drink more comfortably, confidently, and consciously.

Because great nights out shouldn’t come with unwanted side effects!

P.S. We did the research so you don't have to:

1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol Flush Reaction – Does Drinking Alcohol Make Your Face Red?
2. Cleveland Clinic. Alcohol Intolerance: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.
3. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Sulfite Sensitivity.
4. Healthline. Sulfites in Wine: Are They Harmful? Healthline Media.