A recent study carried out in Canada has found that drinking alcohol can amplify the severity of allergic reactions, particularly in people with tree nut allergies.
The study, published in the International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, is one of the first large-scale Canadian efforts to investigate all-cause anaphylaxis in adults. Researchers analysed data from over 1,100 allergy cases treated in Canadian emergency rooms over a decade. They identified food as the most common trigger for anaphylaxis, accounting for more than half of the cases. Tree nuts showed a strong correlation with severe symptoms like throat tightness while insect venom-induced reactions were more likely to cause cardiovascular issues, such as decreased blood pressure.
Regarding the strong association seen between alcohol and severe reactions in nut-triggered anaphylaxis, the study authors offered some explanations. They suggest vasodilation resulting from ethanol in the blood stream could lead to more severe shock and elevation of acetaldehyde, causing histamine release by airway mast cells. A specific association with nuts might be due to the frequent consumption of nuts with alcohol, thereby exacerbating the severity of nut allergy reactions.
The wider study findings may help medical teams recognise patterns and key risk factors for severe reactions and lead to faster, life-saving treatments in allergy emergencies. For those with allergies, understanding the role of alcohol as a potentiator of severe allergic reactions can guide safer behaviour and decision-making.
Reference: Khalaf, R. et al. “Symptomatology and Management of Adult Anaphylaxis according to Trigger: A Cross-Sectional Study” International Archives of Allergy and Immunology.
