Wine is an essential component of dining for those who enjoy their food. However, the usual accompaniment of food can sometimes cause discomfort. Though many people worldwide love their daily or occasional glass of wine, some cannot afford this pleasure because of a disorder known as red wine allergy.
Fortunately, this allergy is not as common as other food allergies, and you may continue to enjoy your fine wine without worrying about getting an allergic reaction. Still, for those who experience red wine allergy, it is a severe kind of allergy, the symptoms of which can range from mild to extremely powerful.
However, it is usually not the wine that causes this allergy. Wines, even some of the finest ones, though prepared with finesse, may have chemical additives to enhance the taste or preservatives. Sometimes, the machinery and equipment used to process the wine are not in the best condition. In that case, there may be an accidental addition of various substances that prove harmful to the body.
Allergens and Triggers in Red Wine
An estimated 10% of people have hypersensitivity reactions to red wine. Reactions like rhinitis and asthma are common in people with existing respiratory problems. Common wine allergens are –
| Trigger / Component | Associated Symptoms | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Histamines | Headache, flushing, nasal congestion, itching, hives | Higher in red wine than white wine. NCBI Study |
| Sulfites | Asthma-like symptoms, wheezing, flushing, hives | May trigger asthma in sensitive individuals. PubMed Review |
| Grape proteins (IgE-mediated) | Oral itching, swelling, hives, GI upset, anaphylaxis | Documented grape/wine IgE allergies. Annals of Allergy |
| Tannins / Phenolic compounds | Headache, flushing, digestive upset | Linked to “red wine headache” effect. PMID 37078319 |
Factors that cause intolerance are ethanol, sulfites, and histamine. Where white wine causes sulfite intolerance in people with asthma, red wine triggers reactions in people with certain enzyme deficiencies. [1]
Red wines also often have natural histamines, which can trigger allergic reactions and discomfort in the body.
| Component | Symptoms | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Sulfites | Wheezing, Hives, Flushing, Digestive symptoms | Preservatives in wines and dried fruits. More common in asthmatics. |
| Histamines | Flushing, Headaches, Runny nose, Itchy eyes | Higher in red wines. Linked to reduced breakdown ability in some. |
| Tannins | Headaches | Found in grape skins, seeds, stems, tea, and chocolate. |
| Alcohol | Flushing, Rapid heartbeat, Nasal congestion | Dilates blood vessels and can cause symptoms. |
| Grape Varieties | Skin rashes, Sneezing | Unique allergies to specific grape types. |
Red Wine Allergy Symptoms [2]
- Reddened skin
- Skin itchiness
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Loose stools
- Rapid heartbeat
- Abdominal or gut cramps
- Tingling or burning on the lips, roof of the mouth, and neck
Usually, blood tests and skin prick tests are performed to determine the kind of allergy. If the allergy has been due to a particular ingredient of the wine, the doctor will help you ascertain that so that you can take precautions in the future.
Symptom Onset & Recommended Actions
| Symptom Timing | Common Signs | Immediate Action | Follow-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate (minutes) | Flushing, hives, mouth itching, nasal congestion, wheezing | Stop drinking; rinse mouth; take antihistamine | Monitor; consult doctor if symptoms escalate |
| Within 1–2 hours | Headache, GI upset (nausea, cramps) | Hydrate, rest, take mild pain relievers if needed | Consider testing for histamine intolerance. NIH Review |
| Severe / Any time | Throat tightness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, fainting | Use epinephrine auto-injector immediately | Call emergency services; follow up with allergist. AAAAI Guide |
Red Wine Allergy Treatment
The treatment of red wine allergy is similar to all allergies. Antihistamines can treat non-threatening symptoms. Topical steroids are taken for skin symptoms, and epinephrine and adrenaline injections may be administered for more severe symptoms.
- Pharmacological Treatment: Stepwise approach where Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists are used for allergic rhinitis, second-generation Oral Antihistamines.
- Anti-IgE Antibody: Interferes with mast cells/eosinophils and IgE interactions to reduce allergic symptoms.
- Immunotherapy: Induces desensitization to allergens through subcutaneous and sublingual forms. It reduces sensitization to new allergens and symptoms of allergic diseases.
- Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT): Non-invasive method reduces allergic symptoms and the incidence of asthma.
Source [3]
Red Wine Allergy FAQ
What causes red wine allergy?
Red wine allergy is primarily caused due to an allergic reaction to the sulfites or histamines in the wine. Sulfites or histamines are produced during the fermentation of the wine, which is responsible for allergic responses in affected people.
Can I drink white wine if I’m allergic to red wine?
No, you might be allergic to both red and white wine. Both wines contain sulfites and histamines, as above. However, few might be able to tolerate white wine more than red wine because white wine contains fewer compounds.
Is there a way to prevent a red wine allergy?
If a person is allergic to red wine, the best way to prevent it is to avoid drinking it. One can also avoid other alcohols which might contain sulfites or histamines. Some of them are beer and champagne.
What should I do if I am allergic to red wine?
If someone is allergic to red wine, seek a doctor’s help immediately. In severe cases, it might cause life-threatening anaphylaxis. If you already have an allergy, carrying the required medicines at all times might be a good idea.
References
- Specialist for Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Specialist for Dermatology, Zollikerberg, Switzerland – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6883207/
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3391999/
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2846743/
17 Comments
I experience diahrea after drinking wine, especially red varieties. What would cause this?
Wow, there are so many types of allergies. I was not aware of this that a person could have a red wine allergy too. I love red wine and I am not allergic to it. Thank god I can enjoy red wine as much as I want. 🙂
I know that I am in trouble in the first several minutes after tasting a red wine that I will react unfavorably to because my tongue starts to lose sensation. I thought it was the tanin(s), but the last red wine I had a sip of was a Pinot that did not have a lot of tanin. I drink white wine but avoid the high sulfite area whites.
So, what is my problem? Is it the sulfites? Is it the tannins? I am allergic to flu shots but I am NOT allergic to eggs. I also have several family members that are also severely allergic to flu shots, but not to eggs. So I’m curious about the additives. I tend to have less problems with dry whites from California, & Italy.
(France is not one of my wine choice regions).
Thanks for any help~
I have been drinking red wine for years, and for the past few months I have particularly been drinking Austrailian Shiraz. Yesterday, I noticed my tongue feeling somewhat swollen after a half glass. Today I woke up with cold-like and/or allergy type symptoms (headache, sneezing, itchy eyes, swollen sinuses). So far, I have only read two articles regarding different additives that could cause such symptoms, and until I do more research my wine drinking days are over. It is scary to think anaphylaxis is a known allergic reaction to wine. I feel very lucky my symptoms are not worse, I do not want to take any chances in the future.
I have had the most horrible reaction in the last nights I thhought I was sleeping with either bugs or what in the world could be happening with my skin!!!!!!!! I broke out with chicken pox like symptoms, under my arm pits under my knee caps and excuse me; and my butt cuff as well my throat ached, I had very headache and horrible anxiety and thought I surely was meating my maker. Thank GOD i did not. Please respond because nobody believes me!!!!!!!!!! Kay K.
Kay, I totally believe you! I have drank red wine on an almost daily basis for years now and about two months ago I broke out in a rash similar to chicken pocks but more red and dry. I went to the Doctor who prescribed steroids which helped but did not take it away. I started noticing that if I went without wine, my symptoms got better so I now know what I just need to stay away from. A horrible experience but I’d rather have my smooth skin than scaley skin. ew. : )
I faced the same issue over the holidays where wine consumption was relatively high 🙂
I wasn’t sure what was causing the rashes (mainly on my chest and sides), so didnt stop drinking till New Year when it got really bad. the next day i started testing for causes and then realized that red wine was triggering the reaction.
i havent had a drink of wine for over 3 weeks, and haven’t had any breakouts….but I still have leftover rash over my body. if this doenst go in the next month or so…i definitely need to visit the dermatologist.
I feel your pain! I suspected bedbugs! Google pictures looked very similar to my morning skin. So, New mattress, cover etc. reverse tape on the metal bed legs and….nothing! I am starting tonight to nix the red nectar. See what happens. I have been drinking California merlot. thanks for sharing Mike.
Not being a regular drinker i have found my reaction to red wine quite disturbing and would love an accurate answer intead of me trying to guess.
one glass approx 125ml will start off a scratching in my throat any more and a headache will form and vomiting, now if i had over indulged i could understand it .
1 to 2 glasses surely is not to much?
Dawn
I too am allergic to red wine and cannot drink it. However, my husband insists that I will be okay if he just cooks with red wine. Does anyone know if this is true? I would hate to have him go to all the trouble of fixing me a really nice meal only to end up at the hospital because I cannot breathe! Thank you.
As far as I know the allergic reactions due to drinking red wine is not due to the actual wine but due to lots of other things present in it. The other ingredients present in this are sulfites and yeast which are supposed to be the real problematic substances. Even the organic wined might not be free from this. The expensive ones might have less of sulfites then a cheaper variety. Sulfites are actually produced by yeast while it is fermenting and if these compounds are absent the wine might get spoiled. If you use alcohol while cooking it is most likely the sulfites gets evaporated and you might not get an allergic reaction.
A doctor can check you for allergy for all the ingredients present in the red wine by skin patch test.
I completely agree with eda. It is the sulfite that is the real culprit. Sulfites are not only present in the red wine but are also found in grapes without it being fermented. It is wise that you check in the restaurants as the foods you take might be having some other types of spirits in it. If you are allergic to this then you might be allergic to other foods too which contain large amount of sulpher. You could also check that if you mix it in the food while cooking, does it give you a reaction.
Whenever I have red wine in England even after just 2 glasses I suffer a really bad headache but when I go to Portugal I can drink quite a lot of red wine and never get a headache. The portugese wine is locally brewed. What can be the difference?
Has anyone experienced the following symptoms:
peeling of my facial skin
flushing of my face and or arms
horrible itching sensation of my arms with absolutely no rash or breakout of any kind?
I have been drinking red wine for years (I’m 64) and have never had this problem prior to the last 6 wks. I have been to a neurologist who said it was not my trigeminal neuralgia and I know it’s not shingles. But the itching is SEVERE! My arms are bleeding in the morning as I’ve itched them in my sleep!
I have found that since being with my gentleman friend who is a big red wine enthusiast, whenever I drink it with him, the next day, the skin under my eyes is swollen, itchy and red. (NOT VERY ATTRACTIVE) I think it’s the sulfates in the red wine that cause this and notice when I don’t imbibe red wine, no problem! My eyes seriously look like I’m in my 80’s! ANYONE have any quick fix remedies to elliviate the swollen, itchy red eyes other than not drinking the wine – which, I won’t again!
I experience red skin but not itchy after drinking wine… and not having head ache,,, but the worst is horrible itching sensation at my back.
I have narrowed down the wine that causes the itchy rash similar to chickenpox that had been coming up to the red wine I had bought in Tesco. Also been having sneezing fits. It started when I started shopping at Tesco. A friend suggested Sulphates. Checked botte and it come under allergy advice.