Am I allergic to alcohol?? Pics included

[SleepForTheWeak]

I sometimes get a bad rash (pics to show it off!) when I drink alcohol. I can't find any correlation with what would trigger it, as I can go months or even years without it happening and then it might happen after even half a glass of wine.

It happened a lot when I was a young adult and I was SO self conscious of it. It's extremely hot to the touch and it makes me feel very anxious. It usually happens across my jaw line/neck, chest and tops of my arms.

Does anyone else get this?

When I'm anxious in social situations, angry or upset I can get a similar rash - not sure if they could be related?

I've been to the doctor but the only thing that was suggested was CBT.

Is it all alcohol? I have rosacea and flush if I drink, so I don’t. But that looks more like an allergic reaction which can go hand in hand with wine and all the additives they put in.

Have you ever been tested for hiv?

I react to alcohol sometimes, it’s so frustrating as sometimes I’m fine and sometimes I’m not. I get hot, flushed and blotchy. Have you tried taking an anti-histamine before you drink and seeing if that makes any difference?
Organic wine is also meant to not cause as bad a reaction.
I’ve just taken to not really drinking anymore even though I love it.

I have a friend who gets this but only to beer

Is it all alcohols or just a certain type?

I get this. I can't remember the name for it but it is something to do with the (not sure) tannins?? In alcohol?
I can't go out and have one drink or I get covered. If I'm going out I try and have a drink an hour before doing my make up and then an antihistimine tablet.

It can happen regardless of what type of alcohol I drink (I work in the drinks industry so drink most ). It's Perhaps worse with wine however equally I can drink a whole bottle and my face is fine!

I think when I start to feel the niggle on my skin I start worrying about it which makes it worse.

Interesting that I'm not alone!

Oh and yes - I've tried an anti histamine before hand but doesn't seem to make a difference

Have you ever been tested for hiv?

Christ, nowt like putting the shits up someone!

It does look like an allergy. Could you maybe book an allergy test if you want to know for sure?

I get this too, it's hit and miss what does it but you are definitely not alone!

Oh yes regarding the HIV testing - I actually had a full STI test before I met my husband and it was negative 👍🏻

Don't know about the alcohol but I had a colleague who would get a really noticeable rash on her chest and neck when in a stressful situation, giving a presentation, netting a client etc. It used to drive her nuts because it was really noticeable and then that made her even more self conscious and stressed about it.

*meeting a client, not netting 🤦‍♀️

@summertime06 yes that wound happen to me too.

Interestingly I speak to large groups of people every day without a problem, althiughbits something I am confident in, but if I'm asked something off guard or out of my comfort zone I can get quite blotchy 🙈

IMO you need referral to a dermatologist.

Can you speak to your GP about this?

@Podwoman888 yes I could go back to a different GP although tbf I'm not confidant in them. There's only one GP surgery here and no specialists - we live a million miles away from anywhere so only urgent cases tend to get referred to specialists.

This is the first time it's been bad for probably a couple of years. Although before that it could be everytime I had a drink.

It doesn't cause me pain, it's just very irritating. I always travel with concealer!

I get this as well, just after having few sips, get red, blotchy, hot and a tight skin feeling like sunburn. I do also get embarrassed.