The Cause of Facial Flushing from Alcohol Intake – In most cases, your face turns red after you drink alcohol because your body is having trouble digesting the alcohol. Your body contains enzymes that break down alcohol into acetaldehyde, which is a toxic chemical compound.
- The enzyme in charge of this process is called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH),
- This is followed by a second step that involves the breakdown of acetaldehyde into non-toxic compounds.
- The key enzyme that takes the spotlight during this stage is called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH),
- An error in the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene that encodes the ALDH2 enzyme can reduce the efficacy of the second step of the process, causing a buildup of acetaldehyde to occur.
This results in facial flushing and other symptoms such as feeling warm, an increase in skin temperature, nausea, headaches, and an increase in breathing rate or heart rate, Essentially, if you experience facial flushing whenever you drink, you could have a faulty ALDH2 gene, which interferes with how well your body is able to metabolize and break down alcohol.
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How can I stop my face from getting red when I drink?
Some people’s faces flush after drinking alcohol. If the body cannot metabolize alcohol effectively, too much of a substance called acetaldehyde can build up. This is toxic and can cause a histamine release, resulting in flushing and other symptoms. People with certain genetic features have a higher chance of flushing. 
Share on Pinterest A red face after drinking alcohol may be a symptom of high alcohol sensitivity. Facial flushing after drinking alcohol is a symptom of high alcohol sensitivity, which means that the body is less tolerant of alcohol. All alcoholic drinks — including beer, wine, and liquors — contain a substance called ethanol.
After having a drink, the body begins to break down the ethanol into other substances, or metabolites, to make it easier to flush out of the body. One of these metabolites, acetaldehyde, is very toxic to the body. When drinking in moderation, the body can usually process these metabolites relatively well.
However, if a person is sensitive to alcohol or has a lot to drink, their body may not be able to manage all of those toxins, and acetaldehyde can begin to build up in the body. The red facial flush happens because the blood vessels in the face dilate in response to these toxins.
In some people, this can happen after very little alcohol. A buildup of acetaldehyde can also cause nausea and a rapid heartbeat. These symptoms may make drinking alcohol an unpleasant experience, leading to people drinking less. While the red flush itself is not acutely dangerous, people who get it are at higher risk of high blood pressure and other health problems.
A 2013 study of Korean men looked at the differences in blood pressure between men who did and did not experience facial flushing when they drank alcohol. After taking factors such as age, weight, smoking, and exercise into account, the researchers found that men who flushed after drinking alcohol had a significantly higher risk of high blood pressure when they drank four or more drinks per week.
In contrast, men who did not flush after drinking did not see an increased risk of high blood pressure until they drank eight or more drinks per week. Studies have also associated drinking alcohol with certain types of cancer. Some researchers believe that this increased cancer risk could be due to the rise in acetaldehyde levels in the body.
High levels of acetaldehyde can attack the DNA in the cells of the body, which can trigger the growth of cancer cells. In a 2017 study, researchers looked at the link between cancer and facial flushing after drinking in people in East Asia. Men with facial flushing had a higher risk of cancer, particularly cancer of the throat, which is also called esophageal cancer,
- The researchers did not find the same association in women.
- Whether or not a person’s face goes red after drinking seems to link to their genetic makeup.
- A liver enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) breaks acetaldehyde down into less toxic substances.
- Some people have a genetic condition that means that they do not make this enzyme.
As a result, acetaldehyde builds up in the body after alcohol consumption, which causes the characteristic red flushing of the face. Although anyone can lack this gene, it is more common for people from East Asia not to have it. There is no way to change the genes or enzyme deficiency.
The only way to prevent this red flush and the associated risk for high blood pressure is to avoid or limit the intake of alcohol. Some people use over the counter antihistamines to reduce the discoloration. However, this is not advisable. Although some people may find the flushed skin embarrassing, it is a signal that the body is accumulating toxic levels of acetaldehyde and that it is time to slow down and rehydrate with water.
It is important to recognize that even people who do not get this type of reaction when drinking are still at risk of the health complications of alcohol use, including high blood pressure, liver disease, cancer, and stomach problems. The red flush that some people get while drinking alcohol may not seem serious, but it can indicate that someone has a higher alcohol sensitivity and may have an increased risk of high blood pressure and certain cancers.
- While taking antihistamines can help reduce the redness, these drugs only hide the symptoms and do not address the underlying cause.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that if people choose to drink, they do so in moderation.
- They define moderate amounts as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
If a person has high alcohol sensitivity, meaning a low tolerance to alcohol, they may feel the effects of alcohol more strongly and quickly and may benefit from drinking less alcohol. People who are concerned about this symptom can talk to their doctor for advice.
Why does my face turn red when I drink alcohol?
Should I be worried? – You may be asking yourself this question if you’ve ever experienced facial flushing. On the surface, facial flushing might feel cosmetically embarrassing at most and may not come with any other dangerous symptoms. For those with an enzyme deficiency, facial flushing can occasionally be experienced with increased onset of nausea or vomiting because of your body’s inability to fully digest the alcohol you’re consuming.
- For the most part, these factors are mostly harmless.
- But because alcohol is a cellular toxin, anyone who drinks excessively increases their risk for oral cancer and esophageal cancer,
- Alcohol most frequently passes through these sites,” states Dr. Vij.
- Toxicity and DNA damage can build up in cells and, eventually, a cancer can form.” But recent studies report that those who get an alcohol flush because of an enzyme deficiency are also at heightened risk of digestive, liver and respiratory cancers,
These populations are more vulnerable to alcohol’s toxicity, as it’s processed and later eliminated in:
Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, especially your stomach, where alcohol is absorbed. Your liver, where alcohol is sent after it’s absorbed by your stomach. Your lungs, where alcohol in your blood is released in your breath.
Does alcoholic red face go away?
Does Red Face From Drinking Go Away? – A red face from drinking alcohol will go away if it is caused by transient flushing or an ALDH2 deficiency, as both of these symptoms are linked to toxins which can be removed from the body, Rosacea sufferers can also have periods where symptoms reduce, if drinking is reduced,
What is wine face?
Do You Have ‘Wine Face’? These Are The Visible Traits Oh great. Not only did we eat ourselves silly over the bank holiday, but now we’re worried we have ‘Wine Face’?!
- If you consumed a little more grape than usual over the break – it may literally be written all over your face.
- Yep, experts have long made direct links between the digestive system and the skin, and if you have an intolerance to alcohol, your face says it all.
- Naturopath and skincare specialist Nigma Talib created a series of illustrations to show the signs and symptoms of an intolerance.
- Image via Pinterest
- The characteristics of Wine Face, as told to are ‘pronounced lines or redness between the eyes, droopy eyelids, enlarged pores, dehydrated skin with feathery lines across cheeks, reddish cheeks and nose, deep nasolabial folds’.
- Wow, stunning. Just in case you need a visual:
- Image via Pinterest
- We imagine right now you’re wondering WHYYYYYYYY?
- Well, alcohol is dehydrating so lines and wrinkles will worsen, and the area between your eyes is related to the liver according to the popular
- Dry June anyone?
How long does redness from drinking last?
How Long Does Asian Flush Last? Wrapping Things Up – So, how long does Asian flush last? After reading this deep dive on the topic, you should have a better understanding of the timeline for your symptoms of alcohol consumption. Remember – the answer varies from person to person and can even vary from occurrence to occurrence depending on what you drink, how much you drink, what you’ve eaten, and a whole lot more.
Ultimately, the question “how long does alcohol flush reaction last?” should be replaced with “how can I stop the symptoms of alcohol flush once and for all?”. As you now know, there is one alcohol flush treatment that is proven to help eliminate alcohol flushing syndrome – and that is Sunset’s pills.
So, head over to our site to learn more about how these can help you prevent alcohol flush reaction the next time you have a few beverages! 
How do you test for ALDH2?
Getting Tested for ALDH2 Deficiency – A simple DNA test, using an easy at-home cheek swab for $29, can tell you whether you have ALDH2 Deficiency. ALDH2 Deficiency is caused by a mutation on a specific gene that encodes the ALDH2 enzyme. The ALDH2 test looks for whether or not that mutation is present in your genes.
- Many people rely on the experience of Alcohol Flush Reaction as the main indicator that they have ALDH2 Deficiency.
- However, there are several reasons you may want to go a step further and get an ALDH2 gene test.
- If you do not drink, or are too young to drink alcohol, an ALDH2 gene test can identify whether you have ALDH2 Deficiency and should be aware of your exposure to the sources of acetaldehyde.
The simple gene test can also clear up any confusion about whether you have ALDH2 Deficiency or instead have an allergy to a specific ingredient or certain type of alcohol.
How do you increase ALDH2 enzyme?
What Can We Do About ALDH2 Deficiency? – Because ALDH2 Deficiency is genetic, there is no ‘cure’ to permanently fix this enzyme in our liver. However, there are many lifestyle things we can do to enjoy the best life possible. Here are things we can do to lower the level of acetaldehyde in our body:
Limit alcohol consumption (highest concentration of acetaldehyde). Minimize exposure to air pollution and cigarette smoke. Reduce intake of coffee, sugary foods and beverages. Take a daily vitamin supplement (e.g., ) to boost the activity of the mutated ALDH2 enzyme and clear everyday acetaldehyde levels in the body.
How can you tell if you have an alcohol allergy?
Is alcohol intolerance the same as an alcohol allergy? – People often confuse alcohol intolerance and alcohol allergy, but they aren’t the same condition. Alcohol intolerance is a genetic, metabolic disorder of the digestive system. Your body doesn’t process alcohol the way it should.
Alcohol allergy is an immune system response — your immune system overreacts to an ingredient in alcohol. You may be allergic to one of the substances in alcohol (a chemical, grain or preservative, such as sulfite). The symptoms differ slightly. Both alcohol intolerance and an allergy can cause nausea.
But the hallmark symptom of alcohol intolerance is flushing of the skin of the chest, neck and face. Symptoms of an alcohol allergy include rashes, itchiness, swelling and severe stomach cramps. Allergy symptoms are often more painful and uncomfortable than alcohol intolerance symptoms.
Why do I get hot when I drink?
Why Do I Get Hot When I Drink Alcohol? – Alcohol makes you feel hot because it speeds up your heart rate and widens the blood vessels, called vasodilation, allowing more blood to flow, and causing the skin to feel warm and flushed. When you drink alcohol, your blood vessels dilate to get rid of the excess heat.
- When the vessels expand, you might even feel warmer because of the increased blood flow in the vessels under your skin.
- While this process makes the skin feel warmer, the widening of blood vessels is actually the body’s way of cooling itself down after alcohol consumption.
- For this reason, your skin might feel warm after drinking alcohol because your body is simply trying to push the heat out.
What’s more, there’s a recognized link between alcohol and low body temperature, which is why drunk people are at risk of hypothermia.