Alcohol causing a stuffed up/runny nose

RainOPain

For some reason, whenever I consume any significant amount of alcohol it drives my nose utterly insane. During the occasional parties I have with friends, I tend to find myself having to constantly run and grab a tissue, and then for up to even a week afterwards my nose will be stuffed up.

I have some standard allergy problems -- I take Allegra and a prescription nasal spray, but for the most part I don't normally have significant problems (except when I drink).

Does anyone know why this might be or anything I could do about it? Is it possible to prevent this somehow while still being able to get totally super drunk every now and then?

The Cat

Alcohol dilates the small blood vessels. There's lots of them in your nasal cavity. Happens to everyone, to varying degrees.

taeric

Also, is there any smoking at these parties? I know I used to have a fair bit of sinus trouble at parties, but for me it was always due to the smoking. (Note: Even if they go smoke outside, that could still screw with your nose.)

wasted pixels

The Cat wrote: »

Alcohol dilates the small blood vessels. There's lots of them in your nasal cavity. Happens to everyone, to varying degrees.

Yeah, alcohol can definitely cause some swelling in your sinuses, but it shouldn't be lasting for up to a week. It's very possible that alcohol interacts badly with your prescriptions, there's a reason why doctors advise you not to drink in excess/at all while using certain medications.

Another thought would be that you might have an allergy or sensitivity to an ingredient in something you've been drinking. A friend of mine could down shots for days, but two beers would wreck her. Turned out she had a mild allergy to hops.