Question 1

whenever a doctor uses rubbing alcohol to clean my skin, it breaks out into hives that last for 2+ weeks. but i can drink normal alcohol. why?

Accepted Answer

It may not be hives: Hives usually are itchy red bumps that clear over minutes to hours. If the rash you have lasts for 2 weeks, this could either be an iriitant or a contact dermatitis. The alcohol used as a disinfectant can have different alcohols from what is in beverages.

Question 2

mixed rubbing alcohol and water to calm baby's fever. hours later he broke out n red bumpy hives all over his body.  can it b allergic reaction?

Accepted Answer

Bumpy hives: It could be an allergic reaction or a rash from the febrile illness itself, or perhaps any medication given for the illness.  Report this to your doctor for advise on how to proceed.

Question 3

what could lead to my boyfriend to get red/hives when he drinks alcohol?

Accepted Answer

Histamine release: People with chronic hives sometimes find that drinking alcohol worsens the hives. The same can be said for people with disorders of mast cells (cells that make histamine) like mastocytosis. One can also be allergic to the tannins, yeast, or other ingredients in alcoholic drinks, but this is rare. It would be best to avoid alcohol. If not, antihistamines may help. Have him see his doctor.

Question 4

when i have an allergic reaction why does alcohol make it worse and make me get hives everywhere?

Accepted Answer

Vasodilation : Alcohol has drug effect  making more blood to be pumped to the skin by dilating blood vessels in the skin ( vasodilation). With hives you have leaky blood vessels in the skin and the more fluid you pump into a leaky pipe the more it leaks. Over heating, exercise, taking a hot shower and eating spicey food will do the same thing.

Question 5

how come i get hives when i drink alcohol?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol: Some people can develop hives from alcoholic beverages, there is no answer to why that happens, but you need to avoid them.

Question 6

i have had chronic hives for 2 years. i also drank a lot. i am weaning off alcohol and seeing no problems- but hives worse- nothing helps?

Accepted Answer

Chronic Urticaria: Studies show avoidance of stressors, alcohol, NSAIDs and your allergy trigger can all decrease chronic urticaria. Studies show levocetirizine is first line drug. Add hydroxyzine at night to sleep. See a Rheumatology expert to identify your allergy trigger with panel test if possible. You should get a NE Allergy panel. Studies show urticarial vasculitis and other DDx need to be considered.Good luck

Question 7

had hives from drinking 1beer & 5 shots of spirits. doctors said not allergic to alcohol, but had hives when i drank beer again. what am i allergic to?

Accepted Answer

See allergist: Although uncommon, one can be allergic to beer which is composed of a grain, yeast, and water plus sulfite. You may be allergic of any of the ingredients.  Having said that,alcohol tends to worsen hives regardless of the cause.

Question 8

why do i get random rash/hives when drinking alcohol?

Accepted Answer

Allergic reaction: Hives are a sign of allergic reaction to a substance ingested or inhaled usually.  Alcohol contains many substances so it might be difficult to determine which component of the drink is causing the allergy.

Question 9

i drink alcohol while on claritin (loratadine) which i take regularly for chronic hives. is that okay/safe?

Accepted Answer

Most likely, but....: Mixing Claritin (loratadine) with alcohol may or may not cause problems. generally claritin (loratadine) does not cause drowsiness, but people who develop drowsiness due to this drug are at an increased risk of experiencing negative effects due to such drug interaction; therefore they are advised to avoid drinking alcohol.

Question 10

whenever i drink alcohol the next morning i wake up with my body covered in hives and swollen eyelids, am i allergic to alcohol?

Accepted Answer

Bottoms up: Yes you are!    well, if not alcohol then something else in what you are drinking or something else you do when you drink. Stop drinking, try club soda with a lime. See an allergist if it continues to worsen. Good luck.

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Doctor answers about:

Rubbing alcohol on hives

A member asked:

Whenever a doctor uses rubbing alcohol to clean my skin, it breaks out into hives that last for 2+ weeks. but i can drink normal alcohol. why?

A member asked:

Mixed rubbing alcohol and water to calm baby's fever. hours later he broke out n red bumpy hives all over his body. can it b allergic reaction?

A member asked:

What could lead to my boyfriend to get red/hives when he drinks alcohol?

A member asked:

When i have an allergic reaction why does alcohol make it worse and make me get hives everywhere?

A member asked:

How come i get hives when i drink alcohol?

A member asked:

I have had chronic hives for 2 years. i also drank a lot. i am weaning off alcohol and seeing no problems- but hives worse- nothing helps?

A member asked:

Had hives from drinking 1beer & 5 shots of spirits. doctors said not allergic to alcohol, but had hives when i drank beer again. what am i allergic to?

A member asked:

Why do i get random rash/hives when drinking alcohol?

A member asked:

I drink alcohol while on claritin (loratadine) which i take regularly for chronic hives. is that okay/safe?

A member asked:

Whenever i drink alcohol the next morning i wake up with my body covered in hives and swollen eyelids, am i allergic to alcohol?

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