Washington, Jan 3 (ANI): Celebrating the New Year could be far more troublesome for people with allergies and asthma-as they are more at risk of getting a variety of unpleasant reactions, warns an organization of allergists.

And such reactions are not limited to alcohol consumption only.

“It is usually not the alcohol itself that produces the reaction. It is most likely ingredients, such as sulfur dioxide [metabisulfite], yeast and additives. Common allergic reactions include hives, skin rashes, flushing and warmth of the skin, bronchospasm or shortness of breath, especially in those with asthma,” Health Scout quoted Dr. Clifford W. Bassett, chairman of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology’s Public Education Committee, as saying.

Sulfur dioxide is naturally produced during the production of wine and can cause allergic reactions when people drink wine, say the experts.

It has the same effects when allergic people eat foods in which it’s used as a preservative, such as baked goods, condiments, shellfish and canned foods such as tomatoes and fruit juices.

Histamine, generated by bacteria and yeast in alcohol, can also cause allergic reactions and result in a runny or stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes and worsening asthma symptoms.

The symptoms can be worse in red wine as compared to white wine, the allergists noted.

Beer can also cause allergic symptoms because of ingredients such as barley, corn, wheat and rye, they added. (ANI)