Signs and symptoms of alcohol intolerance — or of a reaction to ingredients in an alcoholic beverage — can include:

• Facial redness (flushing)
• Red, itchy skin bumps (hives)
• Worsening of pre-existing asthma
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea

Alcohol intolerance occurs when your body doesn't have the proper enzymes to break down (metabolize) the toxins in alcohol. This is caused by inherited (genetic) traits most often found in Asians.

Other ingredients commonly found in alcoholic beverages, especially in beer or wine, can cause intolerance reactions. These include:

• Sulfites or other preservatives
• Chemicals, grains or other ingredients
• Histamine, a byproduct of fermentation or brewing

In some cases, reactions can be triggered by a true allergy to a grain such as corn, wheat or rye or to another substance in alcoholic beverages.

Rarely, severe pain after drinking alcohol is a sign of a more serious disorder, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Risk factors for alcohol intolerance or other reactions to alcoholic beverages include:

• Being of Asian descent
• Having asthma or hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
• Having an allergy to grains or to another food
• Having Hodgkin's lymphoma

Depending on the cause, complications of alcohol intolerance or other reactions to alcoholic beverages can include:

• Migraines : Drinking alcohol can trigger migraines in some people, possibly as a result of histamines contained in some alcoholic beverages. Your immune system also releases histamines during an allergic reaction.
• A severe allergic reaction : In rare instances, an allergic reaction can be life-threatening (anaphylactic reaction) and require emergency treatment.