Ethanol-induced urticaria: a case report
Ting, S.; Rauls, D.O.; Ashbaugh, P.; Mansfield, L.E.
Annals of Allergy 60(6): 527-530
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-4738 PMID: 3382058 Document Number: 324700
Ethanol-induced urticaria is reported in a white man 36 years old without previous allergic responses, who developed multiple, general pruritic urticaria 10 to 15 min after taking any type of alcoholic drink. The reaction lasted from 1 to 2 h. In a double-blind challenge with 5 ml absolute ethanol (95%) in 120 ml concentrated grape juice, urticaria occurred and plasma histamine increased to 17.3 ng/ml 30 min after the challenge. There was no reaction to grape juice alone. Skin tests with brewer's yeast, ethanol, acetaldehyde or acetic acid were negative. Hydroxyzine 25 mg by mouth 4 times daily for 3 days before a challenge inhibited skin response and histamine release. Biopsy of urticarial lesions showed mast cell degranulation. Ethanol seemed to affect mast cell mediator release by non-IgE mechanisms directly.