Beer Allergy
Allergy to beer can be caused by a number of possible allergens including barley, rice, and wheat. It can also be part of a more general sensitivity to ethanol.
Nusem and Panasoff report on the case of a 21 year old man who experienced a severe reaction to beer. Within minutes of drinking a glass of beer he suffered a generalized reaction consisting of urticaria, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, and vomiting. He rarely drank beer before but had no problem drinking other alcoholic beverages. After extensive tests were carried it was decided that barley (from the hops) was the offending substance. [3]
Van Ketel described the cases of two people who reacted with urticaria and angioedema after drinking beer. In both cases the substance causing the problems was found to be malt. [4]
Herzinger et al reported that a 59-year-old man experienced angioedema, generalized urticaria, and unconsciousness after drinking beer. In this case the problem ingredient was wheat. [2]
Bonadonna et al described two cases of severe reactions to beer, one required emergency room treatment for anaphylaxis. In both cases the allergic substance was found to be barley. [1]
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REFERENCES
(1) Bonadonna P, Crivellaro M, Dama A, Senna GE, Mistrello G, Passalacqua G. Beer-induced anaphylaxis due to barley sensitization: two case reports. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 1999 Jul-Aug;9(4):268-70.
(2) Herzinger T, Kick G, Ludolph-Hauser D, Przybilla B. Anaphylaxis to wheat beer. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2004 Jun;92(6):673-5.
(3) Nusem D, Panasoff J. Beer anaphylaxis. Isr Med Assoc J. 2009 Jun;11(6):380-1.
(4)Van Ketel WG. Immediate type allergy to malt in
beer. Contact Dermatitis 1980; 6: 297-8.
Beer Allergy