Strange Symptoms: Allergic to Beer?

[parmenides]

I am a 24 year old male, and I've always loved to have an occasional beer with dinner. About 8 or 10 months ago, though, I started getting ridiculous hangovers (extended vomiting, headaches, etc.), after having only 3 or 4 beer. (These symptoms would never occur, however, until around 9am the next day.) So, I switched to rum and whisky, and the sickness stopped happening. Over the past couple of weeks, I've been testing my luck again, trying one beer on occasion, and nothing happened. So, two nights ago, I shared about 3 or 4 glasses of draught with some friends, and at about noon yesterday I quickly broke out in a strange skin rash -- 100's of small red spots (like small blood blisters) from my shoulders to my knees. They are still there today, although it's not getting much worse now (I've been taking an antihistamine, and I'm awaiting the results of a blood test).

Are these normal occurences? I suspect I might be allergic to something in the beer as it digests... But, I have noticed that these weird things have only occurred when I'm drinking domestic (Canadian) beer, while imported European beers have never yet affected me like that... Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Are there different ingredients that might be doing this? I really hope I there something I can do...

[Clana822]

I have been drinking beer for years. Around Christmas, I started getting cramps and an upset stomach every time I drank beer, and at first I thought it was an alcohol intolerance. A friend asked if I had tried wine or any other type of alcohol. I tried wine and vodka with no probem. In August I tried to drink a Corona and within minutes I was on the toilet, plus broke out in a cold sweat, felt like my skin was on fire and someone was ripping out my intestines. Had to call my husband to come get me off the toilet because I was so weak. Long story short, went to an allergist, got tested and I am highly allergic to malt. That event in August was an anaphalytic reaction and now I carry an Epi-Pen. Weird thing is, I can dri k Twisted Tea which has malt and I can eat breads and pretzels which have malt with no problem. I am convinced it is brewing malt or allergens which are created during the beer brewing process.

[Dubii420]

For me, the reaction was due to Propylene Glycol.  I have found that cheap, mass-produced beers are likely to contain it, and high-quality craft beers are not.  I am safe with Goose Island, New Belgium, and Two Brothers, and I'm sure there are many others.  Anything non-craft and domestic and I get a burning rash.  If you are not allergic to gluten or GMOs in other products, consider that it might also be propylene glycol for you.  Get it tested, both by an allergist (scratch test) and a dermatologist (patch test).  It's also in a lot of hand sanitizers, anti-perspirants, liquid soaps, etc. so if those cause any skin problems that might be why.
Good news is that now I have a valid medical reason to denigrate garbage beers like Bud and Coors and such, without coming off like a beer snob.

[Budlightgal0126]

HI I am 43 and have been a Bud Light gal for a very very long time. But this past year I have noticed that I can not drink even a half of a bottle before I notice the red around my eyes. Does anyone know why this happens? I have tons of allergies but none to food that I am aware of. No problems breathing just the red rash around my eyes and only when I drink budlight.

[Down_with_GMOs]

Check out my latest posting. I don't think it's an allergic reaction. I think your having a poisonous reaction. Your body is able to fight any more. I'm wondering if a non GMO non poisoned beer like home made organic beer would do the same thing to you? Let me know pls!    

[Down_with_GMOs]

Educate your self on the dangers of GMO's. mostly all domestic beer are genetically modified. Australia is the leader in GMO barley. Learn more about Monsanto corp. & their round up ready crops. The BT gene's survive digestion & cultivate in your intestinal track, poking holes in it. This causes gastrointestinal upset and blood in the fecal matter. This also triggers allergy like symptoms. Needless to say Claritin and Zyrtec sales have been up for the last few years. Another ingredient being added to beers that's not labeled is ethylene glycol which is the main ingredient in anti-freeze, also being used in the toothpaste in prison.  In conclusion it is pretty evident that corporate America is trying to poison us and our best bet is to find a clean source of food (organic, non-gmo) water and beer. IMO distilling your own water is the only way to go unfortunately we cannot do anything about the air. What I mean by that is if you look up in the sky on a clear day you might notice that it looks like a checkerboard and this is thanks to our Air Force spraying chemtrails of magnesium sulfate, copper sulfate and aluminum oxide. WHY ARE THEY SPRAYING??? I don't know, I am not a chemist, but I do know that these chemicals raining down upon us CANNOT be good for us. Just Sayin!

I hope this information is helpful, please pass it on to everyone you know.

      

[Kevin23]

It is tragic, but I slowly developed this over the years. Since I was about 18 it would happen once a year, then a few times a year, then regularly unless I took benadril. Now I am 40, I eliminated this beer, then that until now I cannot drink any beer. I switched to Saki. If I try a beer by throat closes up, I break out in hives starting on my face, but extending to my toes like blood sores if I don't stop drinking and get some benadril in me fast.
What a curse!