Sulfite Sensitivity or Alcohol Flush Reaction: How to Tell (and Manage) the Difference
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If you’ve ever turned bright red after a glass — or felt “off” after just one drink — you’re not imagining it.
But not all alcohol reactions are the same.
Some are wine-specific, caused by compounds like sulfites and histamines.
Others happen with almost any alcohol, thanks to a genetic enzyme variation that causes Alcohol Flush Reaction (or Asian Glow).
Here’s how to spot the difference, why these reactions often overlap, and how to manage each for more comfortable, confident drinking.
The Quick Way to Tell
| Your Reaction Pattern | Most Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| Only wine sets you off (especially red or white) | Sulfite and/or histamine sensitivity |
| You flush with all alcohol (beer, wine, spirits) | Alcohol Flush Reaction (ALDH2 deficiency) |
| You get wheezy, stuffy, or itchy | Sulfite/histamine reactivity |
| You feel hot, dizzy, or nauseous | Acetaldehyde buildup from Alcohol Flush Reaction |
💡 But here’s the catch: You can actually experience both at once — especially if you flush and also react more strongly to red wine.
Sulfite Sensitivity: The Wine-Only Reaction
What it is: Sulfites are preservatives used in winemaking (and other foods) to stabilise flavour and prevent spoilage. For most people, they’re harmless — but in sensitive individuals (especially those with asthma), they can cause:
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Skin redness or mild hives
Severe reactions are rare, but unpleasant symptoms are common.
Where they appear:
- Most wines contain sulfites.
- Organic wines in the U.S. can’t contain added sulfites (though small natural amounts remain).
Histamines: The Other Hidden Trigger
Histamines are natural compounds produced during fermentation — especially in red wine. For those who are histamine-sensitive, reactions may include:
- Flushing or warmth
- Headaches
- Itchy skin or congestion
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
Red wine tends to contain more histamines than white or sparkling, but the level varies by grape, region, and winemaking process.
💡 If red wine always sets you off, even in small amounts, histamines or sulfites are the likely culprits.
Alcohol Flush Reaction (AFR): When It’s Every Drink
If you experience flushing or discomfort with any alcohol — not just wine — your body may struggle to break down acetaldehyde, a toxic by-product of alcohol metabolism.
The cause is a genetic variation in ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2), the enzyme that clears acetaldehyde.
When this process slows down, toxins build up and trigger:
- Redness and warmth
- Rapid heartbeat or nausea
- Dizziness or fatigue
- Headaches and hangovers
💡 Alcohol flush is not an allergy — it’s a metabolic bottleneck that makes your body more sensitive to alcohol’s by-products.
When Both Reactions Happen Together
Here’s where it gets tricky — and common.
Many people who experience Alcohol Flush Reaction also notice wine-specific symptoms, like headaches, itchiness, or nasal congestion.
That’s because:
- The acetaldehyde buildup from flush can amplify your histamine response.
- Histamine and acetaldehyde are both broken down by similar detox enzymes (ALDH2 and DAO), so if one is sluggish, the other often is too.
The result? You might react to almost everything, but wine hits harder.
That’s why managing one without addressing the other often leads to partial relief.
How to Manage Each (and When to Use Both Solutions)
| If Your Symptoms Are Wine-Specific | If Your Symptoms Happen With All Alcohol |
|---|---|
| Track what triggers you — red wines, whites, or sulfite-heavy bottles. | Flushing, racing heartbeat, or nausea even after one drink. |
| Check the label for “contains sulfites.” | It’s not the alcohol itself — it’s how your body clears it. |
| Try organic wines or low-sulfite bottles. | Avoid “hacks” like Pepcid or Zyrtec that only mask redness. |
| 💡 Use PureWine Drops before pouring to neutralise sulfites and histamines in your glass. | 💡 Use iBlush Patches, Tablets, or Gels before drinking to support healthy acetaldehyde metabolism. |
Think of them as partners, not substitutes:
- PureWine helps make your wine easier to enjoy.
- iBlush helps your body handle alcohol better overall.
Used together, they support both ends of the drinking experience — what’s in your glass and what’s in your system.
The Bottom Line
If you only react to wine, sulfites or histamines are likely to blame.
If you react to almost any alcohol, it’s probably Alcohol Flush Reaction. And if both sound familiar, you’re in good company.
Supporting your body with the right tools for each issue helps you drink smarter, feel better, and actually enjoy what’s in your glass, without the flush, fog, or frustration.
Drink confidently, comfortably, and clearly.
The iBlush way.
P.S. We did the research so you don't have to:
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Sulfite Sensitivity.
- Healthline. Sulfites in Wine: Are They Harmful?
- Brooks, P. J., Enoch, M. A., Goldman, D., Li, T. K., & Yokoyama, A. (2009). The Alcohol Flushing Response: An Unrecognized Risk Factor for Esophageal Cancer from Alcohol Consumption. PLOS Medicine, 6(3), e1000050.
- Cleveland Clinic. Alcohol Intolerance: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic Health Library.
