[Asthma and rhinitis induced by the ingestion of pure ethanol and by the inhalation of alcohol vapors].

A 39-year-old nurse exhibited for one year an immediate-type asthmatic reaction with rhinorrhea and facial flushing and itching after ingestion of alcohol. The elimination of all alcohol-containing items from the operating theater brought relief from the daytime symptoms. Some dyspnea after salicylate ingestion and in cold weather persisted. Oral provocation tests with wine and pure ethanol and inhalation tests with ethanol vapours gave rise to all the known symptoms. Asthma could be prevented by prior inhalation of disodium cromoglycate, whereas facial itching and nasal reaction was prevented by oral ketotifen but not by cromoglycate.